Easy Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole

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Now that school is back in session, Sundays are surprisingly busy for us. We head to church at 9:20 and aren’t usually home until around 12:15. We have a little time together, do some chores, and then it’s back to church for the oldest two at 5:15 for AWANA and Mr. Serious is teaching a Dave Ramsey class.

Some Sundays, dinner is before AWANA and others, after they get home (not until around 7:45) which make a late start to the week. Saturday night, I decided to make something ahead of time, so I didn’t have to try to get dinner ready by 4:45 (they had a snack after AWANA).

I decided to make a French Toast Casserole. It’s super easy to make the night before, and then pull out when you are ready to cook, it. It’s perfect for a breakfast or brunch gathering, too.

Easy Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole

The cast of characters. I actually prefer to make this with a whole wheat bread, or even a grain blend, but the bakery was all out, so we went with Italian bread. I also used half & half, but then went with skim milk and 1/3 fat Neufchatel Cheese (instead of cream cheese). Yes, I’m confusing.

Easy Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole

After following the directions and getting it all prepared, it was almost ready to go into the fridge (just needed to be covered). Some people like to smoosh their bread down with a spatula so that everything gets better absorbed into the bread. I don’t like mine all squished, so I left it just as it was.

Easy Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole

After soaking overnight and the next afternoon and having a bake session in the oven, it’s a all golden and crunch on top and gooey French Toasty everywhere else.

Easy Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole

With the syrup already added to the French Toast Casserole, I decided to have mine sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with a side of raspberries. Mr. Serious and the oldest had their with syrup, and the middle had hers with mixed berries. Either way, it’s delicious, filling and very easy to make!

Easy Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole

Easy Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole

Ingredients

  • 10 c. 1" cubed bread (I used one load of Italian bread from our grocery bakery
  • cooking spray
  • 1 block softened cream cheese
  • 8 eggs
  • 1 1/2 c. milk
  • 2/3 c half and half
  • 1/2 c syrup
  • 1/2 t vanilla extract
  • cinnamon
  • nutmeg
  • 2 T powdered sugar
  • extra syrup for serving, optional
  • mixed berries, optional

Instructions

  1. Cut bread into 1" cubes.
  2. Spray cooking spray in 9 x 13 dish.
  3. Place bread cubes into dish.
  4. Beat cream cheese with a mixer until smooth.
  5. Add eggs one at a time, and mix well after each addition.
  6. Add milk, half and half, 1/2 c syrup and vanilla. Mix well.
  7. Pour mixture over bread. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon and nutmeg if desired.
  8. Cover dish and refrigerate overnight.
  9. When ready to cook, remove from refrigerator and let stand on counter for 30 minutes.
  10. Uncover, and place in a NON-PREHEATED oven and set to 375F for about 50 minutes (until the bread starts to become golden).
  11. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
  12. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  13. Serve with syrup or mixed berries or fruit of your choice.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Easy Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole

Recipe adapted from one a friend gave me several years ago.

What occasion would you make this for? If I do another breakfast and pajama party, I will definitely add this to the menu because I can make it the night before.

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59 Comments

    1. I try….I try! So thankful for overnight versions, but sometimes, it is hard to get it ready at 8pm after cooking that nights’ dinner, too!

  1. Wow, looks yummy. I never thought about using cubed bread… awesome! Thank you

    1. Cubing it makes the tops a little crispy, too, which I really like!

  2. This sounds scrumptious and like such a timesaver. I’ll be trying it for sure.

  3. French toast is one of my favorite foods. That looks so good. I’m going to have to try it. I make French toast often, but i”ve never tried a casserole.

    1. You definitely should. I think it’s even better than French toast:) And easier in the morning, too.

  4. mmm that looks delicious.. im craving french toast now!

    1. I may or may not have had some for breakfast this morning (leftovers!)

  5. Oh fantastic – I might make this soon – I have all the ingredients in my fridge/freezer/pantry. Perfect for when we have guests for a hot, easy breakfast!

    1. Yes, great for entertaining guests without all the fuss!

  6. I totally want to try this, but my husband doesn’t like french toast and I can’t eat that all alone 🙁

    1. I bet S would enjoy putting some down. And, you might be surprised, your hubby might like it. Or save it for a gathering with your sisters:)

      1. That’s a great idea! I’ll try that the next time they’re in town 🙂

  7. YUM! That looks delicious!!

    I love that your church does AWANA on Sunday nights. (We do ours Wednesdays.)

    1. I as well like that it’s Sunday. My only beef is the time 5:30-7:30? It’s so hard to get dinner in, you know? I wish I could convince them to change it to like 5-7 even.

      1. I can see that.

        Ours is 6:30-8pm … bedtime is 7pm at our house. It really puts a kink in the middle of our week. 😐

  8. That looks amazing, especially with the fresh berries on the side. I am definitely going to have to make this recipe.

    1. Yes, definitely. Although I have to admit, I had to use frozen berries..but the pop of cold was sort of fun with the super hot casserole!

    1. So very easy! Almost my favorite part (first favorite is how yummy it tastes!)

  9. I am such a sucker for french toast and the fact that you can make this ahead is a huge bonus.

  10. Love the breakfast casseroles which can be made ahead. This one looks like bread pudding. Yum!

    I think I’ll use our maple syrup (grade a or b) instead of the pancake syrup. Think it will work?

    1. I’m not really sure what “pancake syrup” is…we use all different kinds, this was the one hubby picked up:)

      I think maple syrup would work just fine. In my opinion it’s a little sweeter and more concentrated, so I might not add as much to the mixture.

  11. Lisa Garner says:

    Thanks for sharing this recipe. My children love French Toast but I never have time in our busy morning schedule to make it so this would be great! I think this would make a delicious Christmas morning breakfast too.

    1. Most definitely! I actually made it in the evening Christmas Eve and pulled it out to cook Christmas morning! It was perfect!

  12. 5 stars
    Wow! This sounds so yummy. My house is a French toast house and my son would love this. I think I will try it with cinnamon bread instead of Italian but I cannot wait for my sons to try it! Thank you!

    1. Oh, it would be amazing with cinnamon bread! And if it was cinnamon raisin, those little guys would totally plump up!

  13. Julie Wood says:

    5 stars
    I love this French Toast Recipe! It is so easy to make because I make it ahead and just cook. I think the Italian Bread will make this french toast casserole taste so good!

  14. So, I think I might make this for dessert. And keep it to myself. That’s fair, right?!

    1. Totally fair! for sure! And, maybe add some whipped cream or ice cream with the casserole and fruit!

  15. This is my all time fav, we all love it, thanks.

  16. This would make a great brunch recipe!

    1. Yes, exactly! I made it Christmas Eve this year so we had it all ready to cook Christmas morning. It was perfect!

  17. Cynthia C says:

    I love make ahead recipes, especially when guests are expected or over the holidays when everyone is so busy. This one is perfect!

  18. Pamela Gurganus says:

    My goodness gracious does this sound good! My family would absolutely love this! We eat breakfast together as a family every Sunday morning and this is what we’ll be having this coming Sunday morning! Thank you for the recipe!

  19. Gloria Walshver says:

    5 stars
    Love eating French Toast but have nobody to make it for.

  20. Brenda Haines says:

    5 stars
    This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it!

  21. Elisabeth says:

    Oh my gosh, I’ve never seen a french toast casserole before!

  22. nicole dziedzic says:

    5 stars
    I love this, I sprinkle mine with powered sugar as well, but I love the mixed berries idea.

  23. Sharon Rooney says:

    Thank you for the recipe. I have tried other make ahead French toast recipes and they were very good but this one gives a new twist with. I the cream cheese, I can’t wait to try it.

  24. THIS RECIPE SOUNDS WONDERFUL CAN’T WAIT TO TRY IT. I USED TO TAKE MY GRAND DAUGHTER TO AWANA’S. THEY HELD IT ON A WEEK NIGHT. DINNER WAS SERVED BEFORE AND THEN WHILE THE CHILDREN WERE AT AWANA’S THE ADULTS HAD BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP. THE DINNER COST $2 PER PERSON OR $5 FOR A FAMILY. IF SOMEONE WAS NOT ABLE TO PAY NOT A PROBLEM NO ONE WAS EVER TURNED AWAY. THE MONEY WENT TO DEFRAY THE COST OF THE FOOD PROVIDED. THE WEEKLY DINNERS WERE MADE BY CHURCH MEMBERS THAT WOULD SIGN UP IN ADVANCE TO BRING THE DINNER. WE HAD SO MANY WONDERFUL DINNERS. THAT WAS THE FIRST PLACE I EVER HAD CREPES AND FELL IN LOVE. I LEARNED HOW TO MAKE THEM AT HOME THEY ARE SO EASY.

  25. Delirah Morales says:

    I really have to try this! My husband loves french toast and let’s be honest, who else finds dunking each individual slice of bread and getting the mixture all over your hands, annoying?! Also, the addition of cream cheese is a great idea 🙂 .

  26. Judy Schechter says:

    5 stars
    Wow, does that look amazing! I just pinned the recipe and I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!

  27. Brenda Haines says:

    5 stars
    I made this yesterday and it was a huge hit! Thanks

  28. Sandy Klocinski says:

    Love this recipe!! Easy. Amazing!

  29. Natalie F says:

    This looks great. It would be great for when we have company. I like to make them breakfast but I’m so busy with kids in the morning. We do make ahead egg dish, but kids would love this!

  30. Yum, I love this. My mom always made something like it on Christmas Eve for us to have on Christmas morning. Her’s didn’t have cream cheese but it did have sausage.

  31. Michele P says:

    wow, this looks so good! We love french toast here at our house so I definitely want to try it out, plus I like the make it ahead feature… since it will let me sleep in a bit longer in the mornings on the weekend!

  32. Thank you for the recipe. I love french toast and have been recipes out there before. With Sunday coming up I may have to try this. Although, we are going to have a relax day as it is cold here.

  33. I love making french toast bakes!! We usually go with sourdough bread though! I love your choice of cheese, though, I’ve never heard of anyone using Neufchatel in a bake before.

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