Overnight French Toast Casserole with Caramelized Bottom
Overnight French Toast Casserole with Caramelized Bottom
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Base
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
For the French Toast
- 1 challah bread, 1-pound loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- 1
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the 1/4 cup unsalted butter. Stir in the 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar until combined. Pour this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Arrange the 1-inch challah bread cubes in a single layer over the brown sugar mixture in the baking dish. You may need to gently press them down to ensure an even layer.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 6 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups whole milk, 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Ensure the cream cheese is fully incorporated with no lumps.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Evenly pour the egg custard mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish, making sure all the bread is thoroughly saturated. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to help it absorb the custard.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight (8-12 hours) to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard. This step is crucial for preventing a soggy casserole.
- 6
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while the oven preheats.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375
- 7
Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
⏱️ 45 min•🌡️ 375
- 8
While the casserole is baking, prepare the cinnamon sugar topping. In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Stir well.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven. Immediately sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping generously over the hot French toast casserole. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the caramelized bottom to set slightly.
⏱️ 10 min
- 10
Serve warm, scooping portions to reveal the delicious caramelized layer at the bottom. Enjoy!
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Overnight French Toast Casserole with Caramelized Bottom
Ingredients
For the Caramelized Base
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
For the French Toast
- 1 challah bread, 1-pound loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- 1
Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the 1/4 cup unsalted butter. Stir in the 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar until combined. Pour this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Arrange the 1-inch challah bread cubes in a single layer over the brown sugar mixture in the baking dish. You may need to gently press them down to ensure an even layer.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 6 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups whole milk, 4 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Ensure the cream cheese is fully incorporated with no lumps.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Evenly pour the egg custard mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish, making sure all the bread is thoroughly saturated. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to help it absorb the custard.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight (8-12 hours) to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard. This step is crucial for preventing a soggy casserole.
- 6
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while the oven preheats.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375 - 7
Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
⏱️ 45 min•🌡️ 375 - 8
While the casserole is baking, prepare the cinnamon sugar topping. In a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Stir well.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven. Immediately sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping generously over the hot French toast casserole. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the caramelized bottom to set slightly.
⏱️ 10 min - 10
Serve warm, scooping portions to reveal the delicious caramelized layer at the bottom. Enjoy!