This easy Cinnamon French Toast Casserole recipe is a delicious and decadent spin on the classic breakfast dish!  Made with buttery brioche, cinnamon, pecans and a streusel topping, this breakfast bake is easy enough for lazy breakfasts with the family or elegant enough for serving a crowd on holidays!

*Updated*

This post was originally published in November 2018.  I edited the photos and updated the post below to include more information about Cinnamon French Toast.  Plus, I added a recipe video to show you how quick and easy this cinnamon and pecan breakfast bake is to make!

Hey, friends!  What are your feelings about breakfast?

Personally, breakfast is my favorite meal.  Honestly, I never skip it, even when I’m pressed for time in the morning.  Plus, I love it so much I eat breakfast for dinner about four times a week.  And, don’t even get me started on brunch!  Yum!!  I absolutely live for a good Sunday brunch!

Unfortunately my better half,  doesn’t share my love and affection for the most important meal of the day.  Trying to get him to eat breakfast in the morning is like pulling teeth.  Wait, scratch that.  I’m fairly certain teeth are easier to pull.  However, brunch or breakfast for dinner?  Like me, he is all about that!  (Thank goodness.)

And, the dish I’m sharing today he ate for brunch, lunch and dinner on repeat.  Clearly this Cinnamon French toast is a winner, winner, and you should eat it at every meal including dinner.  😉

Cinnamon French Toast Casserole Recipe

This breakfast casserole is absolute perfection!

Buttery brioche bread layered with cozy, warming cinnamon and crunchy, nutty pecans, and drenched with a sticky maple syrup and sweet brown sugar flavored custard.  Topped with a tender, crumbly pecan streusel and baked until golden brown and delicious, this Cinnamon French Toast is bursting with flavor!

Easy to prepare and even easier to devour, this breakfast bake is perfect for lazy morning brunch with the family, yet elegant enough for serving a crowd during the holidays!

What is cinnamon French toast?

What is a French toast bake?

A French toast bake is a quick breakfast casserole.  It’s a delicious, hands-off version of traditional French toast that can serve a crowd.

A French toast casserole still incorporates all the flavors of your favorite French toast.  While classic French toast is made with slices of bread soaked in a mixture of eggs and milk, and then cooked on a griddle or skillet, French toast casserole is made with cubes of bread soaked in a mixture of eggs, milk and other seasonings (such as cinnamon and vanilla extract), and then baked in a casserole dish.

A French toast bake can also incorporate other sweet or savory ingredients layered with the bread, such as fresh fruit, or in the case of this cinnamon pecan breakfast bake – brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon and pecans.

Does Cinnamon French toast casserole have to sit overnight?

No, a French toast casserole does not have to sit overnight.  However, a French toast casserole does have the best texture and flavor if allowed to sit overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

For the best French toast bake, I recommend allowing the casserole to sit in the refrigerator for 4 or more hours before baking.

With that said, if you are in a rush, you can bake it right away.  Just keep in mind the French toast bake will not have the same signature custard texture and flavor.

Can Cinnamon French toast be frozen?

Yes, a French toast casserole can be frozen, both before and after baking!

To freeze French toast casserole before baking, simply follow the instructions in the recipe below (do not top with streusel until ready to bake), making sure to assemble the casserole in a freezer and oven safe casserole dish.

Once you have assembled the French toast casserole, take care to wrap the dish in plastic wrap a couple times and then cover in foil.  The assembled, unbaked casserole can be frozen for up to 2 months.

To cook frozen French toast casserole, allow the casserole to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then top with streusel and bake according to the directions in the recipe.

To freeze a baked French toast casserole, bake according to the recipe below (but do not glaze the top).

Wrap the cooled casserole in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat frozen baked French toast casserole, allow the casserole to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Cover the top of the casserole dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Uncover the casserole and continue baking for 15 minutes or until warmed throughout.

How to reheat Cinnamon French toast casserole?

Baked French toast casserole can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

To reheat cold French toast casserole in the oven, Cover the top of the casserole dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Uncover the casserole and continue baking for 15 minutes or until warmed throughout.

Alternatively, you can microwave slices of French toast casserole until warmed throughout.  The exact time will depend on the size of your French toast casserole slice and the strength of your microwave.

How to make Cinnamon French toast?

This cinnamon French toast bake is incredibly easy to make and only requires 15 minutes of hands on preparation!

1. Prepare the French toast casserole: Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  Place half of the cubed bread into the baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of pecans evenly over the bread. Repeat with remaining bread and pecans. Set aside.
2. Prepare the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining French toast casserole ingredients (eggs through nutmeg). Pour the prepared custard (egg and milk mixture) over the bread. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. Use your hands to gently press down on the bread so that all the cubes are soaking in the custard. Refrigerate overnight or set aside in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the streusel.*
3. Prepare the streusel (optional): In a medium bowl or food processor, whisk (or pulse) together the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add in the butter and using your fingertips, fork or pastry cutter, mix the ingredients together until the butter resembles small crumbs. Stir in the pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.*
4. Position rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let sit on the counter to remove the chill while oven preheats.
5. Bake: Uncover the baking dish and sprinkle the prepared streusel mixture evenly over the casserole. Transfer the the oven and place a large sheet pan on the rack below the baking dish.  Bake for 55 minutes – 65 minutes, or until the casserole is set and no longer jiggly in the center.  (If the top of the casserole starts to brown too quickly near the end of baking, lightly tent the casserole with aluminum foil and continue baking.)
6. Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before garnishing, slicing and serving. Enjoy!

How to make baked cinnamon French toast step by step photos:

Tips for the best Cinnamon French Toast bake:

1. While this French toast casserole tastes best if allowed to sit overnight in the refrigerator before baking, it is not absolutely necessary.  For best result, allow the casserole to sit in the refrigerator for 4 or more hours.  If you are in a rush, you can bake it right away, however the casserole won’t have its signature custard texture.
2. Pure maple syrup is not the same thing as pancake syrup!  I do not recommend substituting pancake syrup for real maple syrup in this recipe.  Pure maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees.  The sap is then boiled down to remove most of the water and concentrate the flavor.  Pancake syrup is simply high-fructose corn syrup with flavorings.  They are not interchangeable.
3. You can easily make this French toast casserole gluten free!  To do so, replace the brioche bread with gluten-free bread and substitute gluten-free flour for all purpose flour.
4. You can serve this Cinnamon Pecan French toast bake as is, or drizzle it with pure maple syrup.  Or, if you want to go all out, I’ve included an easy homemade cream cheese icing recipe in the notes section of the recipe below!

Step up your breakfast or brunch game with this baked Cinnamon French Toast Casserole!  Easy to prepare in advance and dreamy in the taste department, this breakfast casserole is guaranteed to be a hit with both you and your family!

Until next week friends, cheers – to breakfast kicked up a notch!

XOXO

Cheyanne

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The best Cinnamon French Toast Casserole recipe and step by step video👇

5 from 9 votes

Print

Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

55 mins

Optional Refrigeration

4 hrs

Total Time

1 hr 10 mins

 

This easy Cinnamon French Toast Casserole is a delicious and decadent spin on the classic breakfast!  Made with buttery brioche, cinnamon, pecans and finished with a streusel topping, this breakfast bake is easy enough for lazy breakfasts with the family or elegant enough for serving a crowd on Christmas morning!

Course: Breakfast, Brunch, entree

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bake, breakfast casserole, Casserole, cinnamon, French Toast, pecan

Servings: 8

Calories: 553 kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Ingredients

• 1 (14 ounce ) Loaf Brioche Bread (Challah or French Bread) – cubed
• 1 ¾ Cup Pecans halves or chopped
• 8 Large Eggs
• 2 Cups Whole Milk
• ½ Cup Half-and-Half can substitute heavy cream
• ¼ Cup Light Brown Sugar packed
• ¼ Cup Pure Maple Syrup *
• 1 TBS Vanilla Extract
• ½ tsp EACH: Sea Salt & Ground Cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp Ground Nutmeg

Streusel Topping:

• ½ Cup All Purpose Flour
• ½ Cup Light Brown Sugar packed
• ½ tsp EACH: Ground Cinnamon & Kosher Salt
• ½ Cup Cold Unsalted Butter – cubed
• ½ Cup Pecans chopped

For serving: Cream Cheese Icing (recipe below), Powdered Sugar or Cinnamon Sugar, Maple Syrup, Fresh Fruit (Bananas are really good!)

Instructions

1. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Prepare the French toast casserole: Place half of the cubed bread into the baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of pecans evenly over the bread. Repeat with remaining bread and pecans. Set aside.

3. Prepare the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining French toast casserole ingredients (eggs through nutmeg). Pour the prepared custard (egg and milk mixture) over the bread. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. Use your hands to gently press down on the bread so that all the cubes are soaking in the custard. Refrigerate overnight or set aside in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the streusel.*

4. Prepare the streusel: In a medium bowl or food processor, whisk (or pulse) together the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add in the butter and using your fingertips, fork or pastry cutter, mix the ingredients together until the butter resembles small crumbs. Stir in the pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.*

5. Position rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let sit on the counter to remove the chill while oven preheats.

6. Bake: Uncover the baking dish and sprinkle the prepared streusel mixture evenly over the casserole. Transfer the the oven and place a large sheet pan on the rack below the baking dish (SEE NOTES). Bake for 55 minutes – 65 minutes, or until the casserole is set and no longer jiggly in the center. (If the top of the casserole starts to brown too quickly near the end of baking, lightly tent the casserole with aluminum foil and continue baking.)

7. Serve: Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before garnishing, slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

1. While this French toast casserole tastes best if allowed to sit overnight in the refrigerator before baking, it is not absolutely necessary. For best result, allow the casserole to sit in the refrigerator for 4 or more hours. If you are in a rush, you can bake it right away, however the casserole won’t have its signature custard texture.
2. Pure maple syrup is not the same thing as pancake syrup!  I do not recommend substituting pancake syrup for real maple syrup in this recipe.  Pure maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees.  The sap is then boiled down to remove most of the water and concentrate the flavor.  Pancake syrup is simply high-fructose corn syrup with flavorings.  They are not interchangeable.
3. The casserole will puff up considerably as it bakes.  I recommend placing a large sheet pan or cookie pan on the oven rack directly under the baking dish to catch any crumbs that could possibly overflow the sides of the dish.
4. To make this gluten free: Replace brioche bread with gluten-free bread and substitute gluten-free flour for all purpose flour.
5. This bake is delicious served as is, drizzled with maple syrup, or you can go all out and drizzle this bake with a homemade cream cheese icing!  Recipe below!

Homemade cream cheese icing:

5 TBS Confectioners’ Sugar

3 ounces Cream Cheese - softened

2 TBS Milk

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of Kosher Salt

Whisk everything together in a small bowl and drizzle over French toast casserole

Yield is 8-10 servings.  Nutritional information based on 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts

Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 553 Calories from Fat 351

% Daily Value*

Fat 39g60%

Saturated Fat 12g75%

Cholesterol 206mg69%

Sodium 104mg5%

Potassium 333mg10%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 30g33%

Protein 11g22%

Vitamin A 755IU15%

Vitamin C 0.4mg0%

Calcium 160mg16%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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