Cinnamon Baked French Toast

Transform your brunch into a crowd-pleasing sensation with Ree Drummond's irresistible baked French toast casserole. This make-ahead marvel delivers fluffy, golden-brown slices crowned with a buttery cinnamon streusel, perfect for serving 12 without the morning rushimagine waking to the aroma of vanilla-kissed custard and caramelized topping!

Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 12
Nutritional Info per Serving (1 of 12): Calories 422, Total Fat 20 g, Saturated Fat 11 g, Carbohydrates 50 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Sugar 28 g, Protein 10 g, Cholesterol 157 mg, Sodium 339 mg
Total Time: 13 hours
Preparation: 15 minutes
Inactive Time: 12 hours
Cooking: 45 minutes

Tips for Making Baked French Toast Like a Pro

Choose crusty bread: Grab day-old sourdough or French bread with a sturdy crustit soaks up the custard beautifully for that dreamy, soft center you'll crave.
Create a rich egg custard: Whisk eggs with whole milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and a duo of white and brown sugars for luxurious richness and perfect caramel notes.
Let it soak overnight: Pour the custard over bread cubes, cover, and chillovernight magic ensures every bite bursts with flavor, no sogginess in sight.
Make a fragrant streusel topping: Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cold butter until crumblythis golden crunch elevates every forkful.
Bake uncovered: Let the streusel crisp and caramelize for unbeatable texture.
Adjust baking time for texture: Go 45 minutes at 350F (175C) for custardy bliss or up to 1 hour for a firmer, crispier delight.

Can You Prepare Baked French Toast Ahead?

Absolutely! This recipe shines as a make-ahead starthe overnight fridge rest lets bread fully embrace the custard, baking up tender and irresistible every time.

How Long to Bake French Toast

Bake at 350F for 45 minutes to 1 hour: shorter for moist, pudding-like indulgence; longer for crisp-edged perfection.

French Toast Toppings

Dress it up with fresh fruits, maple syrup, honey, powdered sugar, whipped cream, butter, or jammix and match for your ultimate bite.

What to Serve Alongside Baked French Toast

Pair with classics like fruit salad, eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns. Elevate brunch with Maple Pepper Bacon, Breakfast Hash, Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole, or Fruit Salad with Orange-Vanilla Syrup.

Ingredients

French Toast:

Butter, for greasing
1 loaf crusty sourdough or French bread
8 whole eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Topping:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 stick cold butter, cut into pieces, plus extra for serving
Warm pancake syrup, for serving
1 cup fresh blueberries, for serving

Special Equipment:

9-by-13-inch baking pan

Instructions

Preheat and grease your baking dish with butter. Tear or cube the bread and spread evenly in the panget ready for flavor-packed bites!
Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugars, and vanilla in a bowl. Pour over bread, cover, and refrigerate overnight for peak absorption.
Mix streusel: flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and cold butter until crumbly. Bag and chill until baking time.
Preheat oven to 350F. Sprinkle streusel over casserole and bake uncovered 45 minutes (soft) or up to 1 hour (crisp).
Serve warm with butter, syrup, and blueberrieswatch it disappear and inspire your next gathering!