Overnight French Toast with Berry Topping Recipe
This Overnight French Toast casserole is a deliciously easy make-ahead breakfast recipe. Cubes of day-old French bread are soaked overnight in a rich mixture of milk, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. The next day, a crumbly butter, flour, and sugar topping is added along with fresh or frozen berries before baking to golden perfection. Perfect for serving a crowd, this dish is comforting, sweet, and bursting with warm cinnamon flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Custard Base
- 1 loaf day-old French bread, cubed (about 10 cups)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 7 large eggs
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch Kosher salt
Topping
- ½ cup salted butter, cubed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
Additional
- 1 cup berries (frozen is fine)
Instructions
- Prepare the casserole dish: Butter or grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Layer the bread: Evenly layer the 10 cups of cubed French bread in the dish to create about two layers, ensuring good coverage.
- Make the custard mixture: In a medium bowl, beat together 2 cups of whole milk, 7 large eggs, ¾ cup packed light brown sugar, ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of Kosher salt until fully combined.
- Soak the bread: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure each piece is well coated and saturated with the custard.
- Chill overnight: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the bread to absorb the custard fully.
- Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, use a pastry cutter or two knives to mix ½ cup cubed salted butter, ½ cup all-purpose flour, and ½ cup packed light brown sugar together until the mixture is crumbly. Cover and chill until ready to use.
- Preheat the oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Add topping and berries: Remove the casserole from the fridge, sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the soaked bread, then scatter 1 cup of berries evenly on top.
- Bake the casserole: Bake uncovered for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned and the custard center is completely cooked through.
- Serve and enjoy: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this overnight French toast on its own or topped with your favorite syrup for a warm, comforting breakfast treat.
Notes
- Day-old bread is highly recommended as it better absorbs the custard mixture without becoming mushy.
- You can substitute whole milk with 2% or any milk alternative, but the texture and richness may change.
- Fresh or frozen berries both work well; if using frozen, no need to thaw beforehand.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of nutmeg to the custard mixture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: Overnight French Toast, French Toast Casserole, Baked French Toast, Breakfast Casserole, Make Ahead Breakfast
