Rise and Shine Overnight French Toast Bake
Rise And Shine Overnight French Toast Bake
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts
Rise and Shine: Quick and Easy Overnight French Toast Bake Intro
Ever wake up craving something ridiculously delicious but cannot be bothered with a complicated brekkie? Honestly, me too! That's where this Quick and Easy Overnight French Toast comes in.
Think custardy, cinnamon-y goodness with minimum effort.
What’s the Deal with This Deliciousness?
This recipe is a take on the classic French toast, but with a brilliant twist. Originating from a desire for easier breakfast solutions, it's essentially a French Toast Bake that you prep the night before.
So, in the morning, you just pop it in the oven. It's super easy, taking about 15 minutes of prep, then it needs 8 hours for soaking and the baking time is 40 minutes.
This recipe yields 6 to 8 servings, perfect for a lazy weekend brunch or feeding the family!
Why You'll Love This Overnight French Toast
The biggest benefit? It's stress-free and perfect for Breakfast For A Crowd . Plus, the overnight soak ensures that every piece of bread is infused with that gorgeous cinnamon-vanilla flavour.
This gives you a Non-soggy Overnight French Toast Casserole . It's more than just breakfast, it is a Baked French Toast Casserole Recipe .
This Isn't Your Average French Toast
What makes this recipe truly special is how incredibly simple it is to achieve such a comforting and flavourful dish.
The Easy Overnight Breakfast Casserole requires very little effort. Using stale bread (like challah or brioche) is key. The bread soaks up all the custard without getting mushy! Think of it as the ultimate Make Ahead Brunch Recipes .
I love topping mine with fresh French Toast With Berries and a drizzle of maple syrup. Seriously, give the Cinnamon Vanilla French Toast Bake a try, you won't regret it.
Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Rise and Shine Overnight French Toast
Okay, let's talk ingredients. Honestly, making this Quick and Easy Overnight French is a piece of cake. Or, you know, French toast ! It's perfect for a French Toast Breakfast and will easily feed a crowd.
I remember one time I tried making French Toast Bake and totally forgot the vanilla, oh my gosh, it was so bland!.
Never again!
Main Ingredients
Challah or Brioche Bread: 1 loaf (1 lb/450g) . This is your base, my friend. Challah or Brioche is best because its fluffy! You want it to be a day or two old, it's key for a Non-soggy Overnight French Toast Casserole .
Trust me on this one.
Eggs: 6 large . They should be nice and fresh. I once used eggs that were a bit past their prime and the whole thing had a weird smell.
Learn from my mistakes!.
Milk: 1 ½ cups (360ml) . Whole or 2% works fine. The higher the fat content the better!
Heavy Cream: ½ cup (120ml) . This adds richness. Don't skimp on this one!.
Granulated Sugar: ¼ cup (50g) . Adds a touch of sweetness.
Light Brown Sugar: 2 tablespoons (30g) packed and ¼ cup (50g) packed. Adds a lovely caramel flavour. Brown sugar should be soft and moist. It adds depth to the custard and topping.
Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons . Get the good stuff, not the imitation kind. Good quality vanilla extract brings out the other flavours!
Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon and ¼ teaspoon for the topping. Essential for that cozy Cinnamon vanilla french toast bake flavour.
Ground Nutmeg: ¼ teaspoon . Just a pinch to add a bit of warmth.
Salt: Just a pinch. It enhances the flavors.
Seasoning Notes
For a truly great Baked french toast casserole recipe , you've gotta nail the spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg are the classic combo, but a little orange zest never hurts.
Vanilla extract is also a must for me!. If you're feeling adventurous, add a pinch of cardamom. Honestly, the aroma alone will make your kitchen smell incredible.
Equipment Needed
You don't need fancy gadgets for this Easy overnight breakfast casserole . All you need is:
- 9x13 inch baking dish. This is the perfect size.
- Large mixing bowl. For whisking all that custard goodness.
- Whisk. Unless you like using a fork.
- Measuring cups and spoons. For accurate measuring.
If you don't have a whisk, a fork will do in a pinch. Same goes for the measuring cups. Just eyeball it!.
I'm kidding! Sort of. For a yummy French toast with berries , you don't need much in way of equipment!.
Remember, this is a Make ahead brunch recipes dream. So gather your bits and bobs, and let's get cracking!
Rise and Shine with Overnight French Toast Bake
Honestly, who has time to stand over a stove flipping French toast on a weekend morning? Not me. That's why I'm obsessed with this Quick and Easy Overnight French .
Seriously, it's a game-changer! Think of it as French Toast Breakfast meets lazy Sunday vibes. Want a Breakfast For A Crowd , this is your go-to.
It’s the kind of thing you can prep while watching telly, stick in the fridge, and then bake off in the morning.
Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place Mission
- First things first: cube that bread! A loaf of challah or brioche (about 450g) works best. Don’t be stingy with those cubes, about 1-inch each.
- Grab a big mixing bowl. Measure out all your ingredients. It’s like having your own little cooking show!
- Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. No one likes a sticky mess.
Step-by-Step to French Toast Bliss
- Spread the bread cubes evenly in your baking dish.
- Whisk together 6 large eggs, 360ml milk (I use whole), 120ml heavy cream, 50g granulated sugar, 30g brown sugar, 2 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg and salt. That cinnamon vanilla french toast bake aroma will be wonderful.
- Pour that glorious custard over the bread, making sure every piece gets a good soak. Press down gently.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Pop it in the fridge for at least 8 hours, or overnight . This is where the magic happens!
- Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) .
- Bake for 40- 45 minutes , until golden brown and the custard is set. The centre shouldn't jiggle.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Non-Soggy Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Stale bread is your friend! It soaks up the custard without getting mushy. If you forget, you can toast the bread a little bit.
- Don't skip the overnight soak! It’s essential for that custardy French Toast Bake texture. Trust me on this one.
- For an Easy overnight breakfast casserole , try adding a crumb topping. Combine melted butter, flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for extra crunch. If you are looking for Make ahead brunch recipes, this works wonderfully.
This Baked french toast casserole recipe is perfect with a scattering of French toast with berries and a drizzle of maple syrup.
You’ll have everyone begging for more! It's a foolproof way to guarantee a delicious breakfast, even if you're half-asleep when you're making it.
And who isn't on a weekend morning?
Recipe Notes: Making Your French Toast Dreams Come True
Right, so you're ready to tackle this Quick and Easy Overnight French Toast thing? Brilliant! Before you dive in headfirst, let's chew the fat about a few bits and bobs that'll make your Overnight French Toast experience even better.
Honestly, I've made this a million times, and I've learned a trick or two along the way! And remember, this is a French Toast Breakfast that'll seriously impress.
Serving Suggestions: From Oven to Table
This Non-soggy Overnight French Toast Casserole is just begging to be shown off! Picture this: a dusting of icing sugar, a generous pile of fresh berries (think strawberries, raspberries, blueberries – whatever takes your fancy), and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Oh my gosh! It looks like it came straight out of a magazine!
Or, if you're feeling extra fancy, a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream never hurt anyone.
As for drinks, a strong cuppa, a mimosa or a glass of chilled orange juice are perfect pairings. It's an incredible French toast with berries combination!
Storage Tips: Keeping the Good Times Rolling
Got leftovers of this Baked french toast casserole recipe ? Lucky you!
- Refrigeration: Pop any leftover Cinnamon vanilla french toast bake into an airtight container. It'll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just give it a quick blast in the microwave or oven to reheat.
- Freezing: Believe it or not, you can freeze this Easy overnight breakfast casserole ! Cut the baked French toast into individual portions, wrap them tightly in cling film, and then bung them in a freezer bag. It’ll keep for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, just microwave for a minute or two, or bake in a preheated oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until warmed through.
Variations: Make it Your Own!
Want to jazz things up a bit? You know I am all about it!
- Dietary Adaptations: If you're dairy-free, swap the milk and cream for almond milk and coconut cream. Easy peasy! And for a gluten-free French Toast Breakfast , use gluten-free bread.
- Seasonal Swaps: In the autumn, chuck in some sliced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon for an autumnal twist. In the summer, go wild with summer berries. This French Toast Bake is all about seasonal flavours.
Nutrition Basics: Fueling Your Day
Let's keep it real. This isn't exactly a health food, but it's definitely a treat! One serving (estimated) packs around 350-400 calories, with a good whack of carbs, some protein, and a bit of fat.
It's all about balance, innit? It is perfect Breakfast For A Crowd and it is delicious!
Listen, Make ahead brunch recipes don't get much easier or more delicious than this. So, get stuck in, have some fun, and don't be afraid to experiment.
You've got this! Trust me, your taste buds will thank you for it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really make Quick and Easy Overnight French Toast the night before? Is it safe?
Absolutely! That's the beauty of this recipe. The overnight refrigeration period allows the bread to fully soak up the custard, resulting in a richer, more flavorful French toast. Storing it in the fridge overnight ensures it's perfectly safe to bake in the morning, just like leaving your trifle to set in the fridge – no worries, mate!
My Quick and Easy Overnight French Toast is soggy! What went wrong?
Sogginess usually stems from using bread that's too fresh. Day-old or slightly stale bread is your best bet as it absorbs the custard better without becoming mushy. Also, make sure you're not adding too much liquid or overcrowding the baking dish. Less is sometimes more!
Can I customize this Quick and Easy Overnight French Toast Recipe with different flavors or ingredients?
You bet! Feel free to get creative like you're on Bake Off. Add a splash of your favourite liqueur (Amaretto or Grand Marnier are excellent!), some orange zest, or even some chocolate chips. For a healthier twist, swap some of the sugar for maple syrup or honey and throw in some berries.
How should I store leftover Overnight French Toast?
Leftovers (if there are any!) can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or microwave individual slices until warmed through. A little crisping up in a pan with butter works wonders too.
Is there a dairy-free or vegan version of this Quick and Easy Overnight French Toast?
Yes, indeed! It's fairly easy to adapt. Use your favorite plant-based milk (almond, soy, or oat work well) and a dairy-free cream alternative. For a vegan version, you can use a flax egg or a commercial egg replacer, ensuring you still get that lovely custard texture. There are egg replacers available in most supermarkets these days – it's easy peasy!
Can I freeze Quick and Easy Overnight French Toast?
You can! Allow the baked French toast to cool completely, then cut it into individual portions. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place in freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven or microwave, adding a little extra butter or syrup to rehydrate.
