This eggnog french toast casserole has all the rich, caramely, custardy goodness that classic French toast has. Assemble it the night before, then pop it in the oven for breakfast Christmas morning.
The crumb topping sets it a step above other french toast casseroles.
I’m writing this in early November, and I have been seeing eggnog at the grocery store for months now. I don’t know how to feel about this! I remember as a kid waiting for eggnog to appear in the grocery store. It meant it was Christmas time.
Now it seems like it’s available all year round. It for sure was in the grocery store in August. That’s not Christmas time! We still have Halloween and Thanksgiving to celebrate! I’m going to have to pay closer attention this year if it disappears after the holidays.
The good news is that you can make this french toast bake all year long if it is in stores. The bad news is that it makes eggnog less special, at least to me, if you can get it any time you want. If it does disappear, don’t fear, you can make our apple french toast casserole or our cinnamon roll french toast casserole.
Anywho, I digress, this is the perfect make ahead recipe for breakfast Christmas morning. You can make it the night before and then stick it in the oven the next morning while your kids open a few presents. It is golden and toasty on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside.
My favorite part is that you can serve everyone at once and it’s warm and perfect. No remembering to flip the french toast slices and then sticking them under foil to keep them warm.
Ingredients Needed for French Toast Casserole
I’m going to break up the ingredients list into two sections, one for the french toast casserole and the other for the crumb toppings.
Eggnog French Toast Casserole
- Brioche or Challah Bread
- Brown Sugar
- Butter
- Corn Syrup (Light)
- Eggs
- Eggnog
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Vanilla
Crumb Topping
- Flour
- Brown Sugar
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
- Butter
The recipe card below contains all the measurement info that you need.
How to Make Eggnog French Toast Casserole
French Toast Casserole
- Stir the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in a pot over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and pour into a sprayed 9×13 baking dish.
- Cut bread into 1″ cubes and spread evenly in the pan.
- Whisk eggs, eggnog, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla together in a large bowl then pour it over the bread. Press the bread down into the mixture.
- If you’re saving it for overnight, cover and place it in the fridge.
- If you’re baking it now, make the crumb topping (see below) and be sure your oven is preheating.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping all over the top.
- Bake uncovered.
- Serve with fresh whipped cream or stabilized whipped cream.
Crumb Topping
- In a small bowl whisk together everything except the butter.
- Stir in the melted butter.
- Squeeze the mixture in your hand and crumble chunks all over the top.
Head down to the recipe card for all the detailed instructions.
Do You Need Dry Bread For French Toast?
Dry bread helps the egg soak in without making it soggy. But you can make French toast with fresh bread too.
What Kind Of Bread Is Best For French Toast?
Brioche is the most classic choice for french toast, but Challah or even French bread will work well too.
Can French Bread Casserole Be Prepped Ahead?
French Bread Casserole can be prepped a day in advance and stored, covered in foil, in the refrigerator.
How to Reheat French Toast Casserole
If you end up with leftovers, you can reheat them in the microwave for 1 minute per serving. You can also cover it with foil and reheat in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
Can French Toast Be Left Out?
French Toast should not be left out for more than 2 hours.
Store in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
What are you making for your Christmas breakfast? Put this eggnog french toast casserole on the menu and you’ll be starting a new holiday tradition! Or just make it for breakfast tomorrow because who can wait for Christmas?!
More Sweet Breakfast Options:
- Buttermilk Pancakes
- Apple Pie Slow Cooker Oatmeal
- Classic French Toast
- Waffles
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Blueberry French Toast Bake
- Homemade Yogurt
- Cinnamon Roll Pigs in a Blanket
- Peach Coffee Cake
- Liege Waffles
- Slow Cooker Overnight Steel Cut Oats
- All our BREAKFAST RECIPES!
Eggnog French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
Eggnog French Toast Casserole
- 1 Loaf Bread, Challah or Brioche (15-18 ounces)
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup, light
- 5 Eggs, large
- 1 3/4 Cup Eggnog
- 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
Crumb Topping
- 1/2 Cup Flour
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/8 Cup Sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- Pinch Salt
- 1/3 Cup Butter, unsalted, melted
Instructions
- * See Note
French Toast
- Prepare a 9x13” baking pan with nonstick spray.
- In a pot over medium heat, stir together the butter, brown sugar and syrup. Bring to a simmer and then pour over the bottom of the baking pan.
- Cut the bread into thick 1” cubes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, eggnog, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Pour over the bread mixture pressing the bread into the mixture wherever it’s not showing.
- At this point you can place the casserole into the fridge covered with foil overnight or preheat the oven to 350 to bake immediately.
- If baking, prepare the crumb topping and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake 32-40 minutes without the foil.
- Serve with fresh whipped cream or stabilized whipped cream
Crumb Topping
- Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, white sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.
- Slowly stir in the melted butter until it is like wet sand.
- Squeeze in the palm of your hand and then crumble in chunks over the french toast.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
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Stephanie
This was a homerun for us last year! My son has been asking for it ever since – definitely a new special tradition to serve this Christmas morning at our house. This year, I may be halving this and making in a 8X8 dish as we are leaving to go out of town and can’t enjoy the leftovers. Do you have a suggestion on how much time to cook it this way?
Sweet Basil
Hi Stephanie! I love knowing that one of our recipes has become a holiday family tradition in your home! I would start with 25 minutes for the bake time. It might need a little longer, but that will be a good place to start. Happy holidays!
Debra
Why does the picture look as if there is syrup on the final plating, but there is no mention of it in the recipe?
Sweet Basil
Hi Debra! Topping with syrup is totally optional! I actually prefer it without. It is plenty sweet for me, but my kids love the syrup! Just a simple maple syrup works great or if you want the best syrup of all time, try our buttermilk syrup recipe (https://ohsweetbasil.com/buttermilk-syrup/)!
Kylee
Do you have any suggestions for a corn syrup replacement in the recipe?
Sweet Basil
Hi Kylee! You could replace it with honey, maple syrup or cane syrup. Molasses would even work if you like that flavor!
Megan
Just to clarify, Is it better to prepare (not cook) and let set overnight or to cook it the night before and reheat per the microwave instructions?
Sweet Basil
Hi Megan! Prepare but don’t bake it the night before and the bake it in the morning!
Tammy
Holy moly this looks and sounds good! How strong is the eggnog in it? (I love eggnog, but my husband isn’t a fan)
Sweet Basil
Hi Tammy! It’s pretty strong on the eggnog because I LOVE eggnogg. If you want to tame the eggnog flavor, you could go half eggnog, half whole milk. Enjoy!