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Cozy Overnight Eggnog French Toast Casserole

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A rich, custardy French toast casserole made with eggnog, perfect for holiday mornings. Prep it the night before and bake it in the morning for a warm, cozy breakfast that will convert even the biggest eggnog skeptics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf (14-16 ounces) sturdy bread (French baguette, brioche, or challah), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 cups eggnog (full-fat, not light or low-fat)
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
  • Pinch of nutmeg (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Cube the bread into 1-inch pieces and spread evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. If bread is fresh, let cubes sit out for an hour to dry slightly.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggnog, eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt until smooth and creamy.
  3. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes. Gently press down on the bread to ensure all pieces are soaked. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight (8-12 hours).
  4. In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg until it forms a thick paste. Set aside at room temperature.
  5. The next morning, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove casserole from fridge and let sit on counter for 15 minutes. Remove plastic wrap and spoon the topping mixture evenly over the casserole.
  6. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly. A knife inserted in the center should come out mostly clean. If topping browns too quickly, tent with foil for the last 10-15 minutes.
  7. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally with maple syrup, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best texture. The overnight soak is essential for the custard to fully penetrate the bread. If the topping browns too quickly, tent with foil. Let the casserole rest before serving to allow the custard to set. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free eggnog and substitute butter with melted coconut oil. For a gluten-free version, use sturdy gluten-free bread and add 10 minutes to baking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: eggnog french toast casserole, overnight french toast, holiday breakfast, christmas breakfast, eggnog casserole, french toast bake

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