Overnight Brioche French Toast Casserole with cinnamon streusel and pecan-crusted brioche bread drizzled with berry maple syrup. Make it the night before and bake it in the morning for an amazing weekend or holiday brunch!
If brunch was a love language it would definitely be my love language! This easy Overnight Brioche French Toast Casserole fits the bill for the perfect brunch meal. It is best when made the night before so the egg mixture can soak into the bread. The bread has a soft, tender custard-like texture with slightly crusty tops. A cinnamon streusel topping with crunchy pecans and if that wasn’t delicious enough; it’s drizzled with berry maple syrup, yum!
Can you use Brioche Bread for French Toast?
Brioche bread is one of my favorite kinds of bread. It is of French origin and is light, puffy, buttery, slightly sweet, and just delicious! It’s the perfect bread for a french toast casserole. I always buy brioche buns when I make burgers. They are more expensive than regular buns costing about a dollar a bun, but they are so worth it in my opinion!
How to Make Overnight Brioche French Toast Casserole
This bake is best made the night before to allow time for the egg mixture to soak into the bread. But it can be refrigerated anywhere from 4-12 hours.
- Whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.
- Dip one piece of bread in the egg mixture at a time, then layer each one into the baking dish. Layer the bread starting in the back of the baking dish and working your way to the front. Repeat until all bread slices are dipped and layered into the dish. Pour any remaining egg mixture over the bread.
- Sprinkle streusel topping on each piece of bread. Carefully lift the bread slices to sprinkle streusel on all pieces.
- Top with chopped pecans.
- Cover and refrigerate (overnight) or at least 4 hours.
How to Make the Streusel Topping
The streusel topping is a topping made up of flour, butter, and sugar. Spices and chopped nuts can be added to streusel toppings as well. The topping is used to elevate the flavor and texture of pies, muffins, cakes, and bread.
- In a small bowl mix flor, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Add in cubed butter. Crumble with a fork, pastry cutter, or your hands.
How to Make Berry Maple Syrup
This Berry Maple Syrup is super easy and made with frozen raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
- Combine fruit, syrup, and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook until it starts to bubble, turn the heat down to simmer.
- Mash the fruit with a fork or masher. I like to leave it a little chunky, but you can mash the fruit to your desired consistency. Allow it to thicken then serve over french toast.
If you prefer a smoother syrup, you can pulse the syrup in a blender or food processor once cooled. Then strain out the seeds.
FAQ’s for Overnight French Toast Casserole
Why Refrigerate French Toast Casserole Overnight?
It is best when made the night before so the egg mixture has time to soak into the bread. The result is a soft and tender custard-like texture with slightly crusty tops.
Can I Make This Without Chilling Overnight?
It’s recommended that you chill the casserole overnight so the egg mixture can soak into the bread. But you can also make it and bake right away if needed.
What Other Kinds of Bread can be used?
I love brioche bread for this recipe, but you can use challah or French bread if desired.
Can Berry Maple Syrup be Made Ahead?
The syrup can also be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. It will keep for a week in the refrigerator.
Storage
Store leftover french toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The syrup will keep for up to a week. To freeze the casserole, store in a freezer-safe container and will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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More Delicious Breakfast Recipes
Overnight Brioche French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- 9 by 13 baking dish
- medium mixing bowl
- small mixing bowl
- small saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 loaf sliced brioche bread
- 6 large eggs
- 1½ cups milk
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Streusel Topping
- ½ stick butter cold, cubed
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup flour
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup pecans chopped
Berry Maple Syrup
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ¾ cup frozen berries- blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or ½ cup fresh
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Spray the baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.Dip one piece of bread in the egg mixture at a time, then layer each one into the baking dish. Layer the bread starting in the back of the baking dish and working your way to the front. Repeat until all bread slices are dipped and layered into the dish. Pour any remaining egg mixture over the bread.
Streusel Topping
- In a small bowl mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add in cubed butter. Crumble with a fork, pastry cutter or use your hands.Sprinkle topping on french toast and carefully sprinkle in between each bread slice.Top with chopped pecans.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours.
Bake
- Preheat oven 350°F.Remove french toast bake from the refrigerator and let sit until the oven is preheated.Bake 20-25 minutes until bread tops are browned and egg mixture is set and completely baked through.
For the Berry Maple Syrup
- While the french toast is baking, combine berries, maple syrup, and vanilla in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it bubbles, turn the heat down to low and simmer.Mash berries with fork or masher to the desired consistency. Allow the syrup to thicken.Serve over french toast.
Storage
- Store leftover french toast in the refrigerator an airtight container for 3-4 days. Store syrup in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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