Classic French Toast Bake Recipe {Video}

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This Classic French Toast Bake recipe is the perfect breakfast casserole for Christmas morning, or brunch during any time of the year that you have friends and family in town.   It uses simple ingredients like French bread, eggs, maple syrup and everyday baking spices and is easy-peasy to put together ahead of time, or just make and bake.  

Jump to:

• Best French Toast Bake Recipe 
• How to Make this French Toast Bake Recipe - Overnight or A la Minute
• What kind of bread to use for this Overnight French Toast Bake
• Ingredients in Classic French Toast Bake
• Variations of this French Toast Bake to try:
• How to Store This French Toast Bake
• Classic French Toast Bake Recipe 

Best French Toast Bake Recipe 

It's almost impossible not to love this sweet and buttery breakfast classic, topped with cinnamon and brown sugar streusel.  It is warm, inviting, easy to throw together and tastes great with whipped cream, fresh berries and your favorite maple syrup.

You can use this recipe to make as an overnight French toast bake, letting your prepared recipe sit in the refrigerator overnight so all you need to do in the morning is pull it out to room temperature, pre-heat your oven and bake.  I've even made this 48 hours in advance, and it still turns out perfectly. 

How to Make this French Toast Bake Recipe - Overnight or A la Minute

Overnight:  This is the ideal way to bake this as long as you have the time.  The extra time in the fridge allows for all of the egg mixture to soak into the bread.

Morning Of:  If you don’t have time for an overnight casserole, you can still make it work - just give yourself an additional 20 minutes.

1. Add the 1” bread cubes to a large bowl and pour the egg and milk mixture over.  Toss lightly and let sit at room temp for at least 10 minutes.
2. Toss again and let sit for at least another 10 minutes or so before you put it into your baking dish.
3. You can now add your streusel topping and bake as directly in the original recipe.

This recipe for Coconut French Toast with Coconut Syrup is also a morning-of favorite to make on Saturday mornings or whenever company is in town.  Pair it with Cheesy Hashbrowns with Ham and Bacon or Candied Bacon.

What kind of bread to use for this Overnight French Toast Bake

There are several types of bread that will work for this recipe:

• French bread (day old works best)
• Challah bread
• Cinnamon Rolls (day old)
• Texas Toast

Ingredients in Classic French Toast Bake

• French Bread - day old bread works best because it soaks up liquid better
• Milk - any kind that you have on hand will work
• Eggs - this is what binds the whole casserole together
• Maple Syrup - you can also substitute an equal amount of brown sugar
• Vanilla - extract or imitation will work fine
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg

For Streusel:

• Butter - we recommend room temp and cutting into small cubes
• Brown Sugar - we use light brown sugar
• Flour - all-purpose flour
• Cinnamon 

Variations of this French Toast Bake to try:

Add your favorite berries on top of the French Toast Bake before adding the streusel topping, and bake as directed.  

For a cheesy variation, divide your bread and egg mixture in half.  Spread half of the bread mixture evenly into your baking dish, then dollop 2- 8oz packages of cream cheese evenly over the top.  Be sure your cream cheese is room temp so it’s easier to work with. Then cover with the rest of your bread, your streusel topping and bake as directed.

Serve with Classic Buttermilk Syrup and whipped cream, or try these other syrups:

• Mixed Berry Syrup
• Lemon Curd Syrup
• Classic Buttermilk Syrup
• Coconut Syrup. 

How to Store This French Toast Bake

If you have any leftovers, wrap well in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave, or else cover the top with aluminum foil (so that it doesn't brown too much) and reheat in a 325 degree oven for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through.

Here are some other French toast bake recipes we love too!

• Mixed Berry French Toast Bake with Cream Cheese 
• Coconut French Toast Bake 
• Pumpkin Stuffed French Toast Bake 
• Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake

If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

This Classic French Toast Bake recipe uses simple ingredients like French bread, eggs, maple syrup and everyday baking spices and is easy-peasy to put together ahead of time, or just make and bake.  It makes for the perfect Christmas morning breakfast, or brunch during any time of the year.