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With very little prep work, you can stash a Dump-and-Bake Easy French Toast Casserole in the refrigerator, let it sit overnight, and wake up to a deliciously satisfying breakfast! Perfect for an easy holiday brunch or a lazy Sunday morning, the cinnamon and brown sugar topping on this baked Texas toast French toast sets it over the top!

A slice of Texas toast French toast casserole topped with fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Table of Contents
  1. An Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole
  2. Ingredients for An Easy French Toast Casserole Recipe
  3. How to Make Baked French Toast Casserole with Texas Toast
  4. What to Serve with Overnight French Toast Casserole
  5. Texas Toast French Toast Casserole Recipe Variations and Cook’s Tips
  6. More Delicious Breakfast Recipes to Try
  7. French Toast Casserole with Texas Toast Recipe

An Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole

Is there anyone who doesn’t love French Toast? As far as I can tell, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Nothing beats the sweet and crispy cinnamon and brown sugar streusel on top, with thick-sliced bread baked in a casserole dish… dusted with powdered sugar, garnished with fresh berries and a drizzle of real maple syrup?! Lawd, help me! There’s just nothing better!

The best news of all is I’ve managed to make this baked French toast casserole about as simple as possible!

You guys love my dump-and-bake recipes. Well, this is basically the brunch version of a dump-and-bake casserole! With practically no prep work necessary, you just assemble the dish, and it’s ready to go! There’s no need to make a complicated custard mixture and no need to stand over a hot griddle, flipping pieces of traditional French toast before they burn. Instead, you can prep this make-ahead breakfast the night before, pop it in the oven the next morning, and bake until your house smells amazing. Trust me, this is the best French toast casserole recipe!

What Is Texas Toast?

Texas toast is thick slices of white bread with a crusty exterior and a light and fluffy crumb. You’re probably most familiar with Texas toast in the form of frozen garlic bread in the grocery store freezer section or thick slices of buttered Texas toast bread served with meals at restaurants like Dairy Queen or Raising Canes Chicken. The perfect Texas toast bread has a perfectly light and fluffy interior and a toasty exterior that soaks up butter and sauce.

That’s why it’s so perfect for this scrumptious French toast bake. The thick, buttered Texas toast soaks up the creamy eggs, milk, and cinnamon mixture and bakes to perfection. If you’ve never made a French toast casserole with Texas toast before, get ready to have your world changed!

A closeup image of a slice of French toast casserole topped with fresh sliced strawberries and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Ingredients for An Easy French Toast Casserole Recipe

To keep this make-ahead breakfast casserole really easy, I use simple ingredients. There’s hardly any effort involved! Below is an overview of the ingredients needed to make the perfect French toast casserole with Texas toast. As always, the complete ingredient measurements and directions are in the recipe card below.

  • Frozen Buttered Texas Toast: I use store-bought frozen slices of buttered Texas Toast that I pick up in the freezer section at our local grocery store. Be careful not to grab the garlic-flavored Texas Toast — that would just be GROSS!
  • Eggs: the base of the simple custard mixture for the French toast casserole.
  • Whole Milk: makes the eggs extra creamy! I prefer whole milk, but any other variety, including non-dairy, can be substituted.
  • Vanilla Extract, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, & Nutmeg: for that classic sweet and warm French toast flavor.

What’s a good substitute bread for Texas toast in this French toast casserole?

If you can’t find plain butter-flavored frozen Texas Toast at your store, use your favorite thick-cut fresh bread from the bakery section. Any bread you would choose for a classic French Toast will also work here — usually crusty French bread, Italian bread, or day-old brioche bread. You could also check the bread aisle for sandwich Texas toast bread from brands like Lewis Bakery, Sara Lee, Wonder Bread, or the store brand.

If you’re buying a fresh loaf of bread, it’s best to buy it a day or two ahead of time and let it become a little stale before making this French toast bake recipe. Stale bread soaks up moisture better than fresh, which makes for much better-tasting French toast!

A box of Food Lion brand butter-flavored Texas toast -- the key ingredient for the perfect French toast casserole recipe!

How to Make Baked French Toast Casserole with Texas Toast

Once you have all your ingredients together, it’s just a matter of whisking and assembling! This delicious French toast casserole only requires minutes of prep. You’ll have a perfect make-ahead breakfast for a special occasion like Christmas morning or another holiday breakfast or just as a casual family brunch on the weekend.

  • Prep your casserole dish.
  • Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl.
  • Whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla together in another bowl.
  • Arrange a single layer of Texas toast in your casserole dish and sprinkle with half of the sugar mixture.
  • Add another layer of bread and top with the rest of the sugar mixture.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes covered, then 20 minutes uncovered.

Preparing Delicious Texas Toast French Toast Bake

The secret to this delicious, buttery, creamy French toast bake comes from a layer of melted butter on the bottom of the casserole dish. The butter soaks up until the thick-sliced bread and mixes with the creamy egg mixture for so much flavor – don’t skip that step; it’s a must!

You’ll notice that I prepared a smaller version of this Texas toast French toast casserole for this post. I use a smaller 8-inch square baking dish for our smaller family. However, the recipe below is for a standard 9 x 13 baking dish and includes the modifications for a smaller dish. Pick the option that works best for your family! Of course, having leftover French toast casserole is never a bad thing – it’s just as delicious the next day.

How do I avoid soggy French toast casserole?

Soggy baked French toast casserole is a common problem, and we don’t want to experience it! The secret to avoiding soggy French toast is to use thick enough slices of bread – at least 3/4th of an inch to 1-inch-thick slices. This is why Texas toast is perfect for French toast casserole – it’s the ideal thickness, so no guessing is needed!

Another tip is to make sure both layers of bread are evenly soaked in the egg mixture. Once you pour the egg mixture over the bread, gently push down on the bread to ensure all pieces are evenly submerged.

Finally, baking the casserole covered at first will ensure that both the bottom of the dish and the top cook evenly, so no part of the casserole is more or less cooked.

An overhead image of unbaked French toast casserole, ready for the oven. Thick slices of Texas toast bread are soaked in a creamy egg mixture and topped with a brown sugar and cinnamon topping.

What to Serve with Overnight French Toast Casserole

Whether you’re serving this on a casual weekend morning or for a special holiday brunch, there are plenty of ways to garnish and serve baked French toast casserole to make it an absolute crowd pleaser! Here are some family favorite ways to enjoy Texas toast French toast casserole.

  • Fresh Berries: the only thing that could make this breakfast casserole better is fresh berries on top, like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or a combination of all three.
  • Sweet: a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup is minimal but perfect. We love using pure maple syrup for the most authentic maple taste.
  • Creamy: garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. These creamy additions melt right into the bread, making it even more decadent.
  • Savory: serve this French toast bake alongside your favorite savory breakfast items – bacon, eggs, and sausage!
  • Starchy: if you’re going the sweet-and-savory route, why not serve it with breakfast potatoes? Serve with hash browns, cheesy potatoes, potatoes O’Brien, or crispy seasoned potatoes,

Texas Toast French Toast Casserole Recipe Variations and Cook’s Tips

  • If you’re using store-bought fresh bread, let it sit out of the bag on the counter overnight to become a little stale before using.
  • You could swap milk for heavy cream in this recipe if you want an even creamier custard.
  • For even more flavor, add a layer of toppings between layers of bread – chocolate chips, dollops of cream cheese, berries, or a little extra cinnamon.
  • This make-ahead French toast casserole can be assembled and baked on the same day. Just let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour – the longer, the better!
  • Cooking for a smaller crowd? Just cut the ingredients in half and use an 8 x 8 casserole dish instead! The baking instructions remain the same.
  • Leftover French toast casserole should be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to three days. You can enjoy leftovers reheated or cold!
A side-angle image of freshly baked Texas toast French toast casserole served in a square baking dish.

Once you pull this easy Texas toast French toast casserole out of the oven, you’ll realize just how PERFECT this breakfast casserole really is. What makes it truly special is that sweet cinnamon brown sugar streusel that forms a perfect, crispy crust on top. It’s the best contrast to the soft, tender bread inside!

It’s basically like you’re having bread pudding for breakfast! Go big, or go home, right?!

This decadent (yet easy) French toast casserole with Texas toast is perfect for Easter brunch, your next quiet Sunday morning at home, or a weeknight breakfast-for-dinner! With cinnamon, spice, and everything nice, it’s one dish that I know your family will adore!

A side-angle image of a large slice of overnight French toast casserole served on a plate, topped with powdered sugar, fresh strawberries, and maple syrup.

More Delicious Breakfast Recipes to Try

Slice of Easy French Toast Casserole on a white plate topped with fresh strawberries and pour of maple syrup

French Toast Casserole with Texas Toast

4.50 from 4 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Chilling Time 8 hours
Total: 9 hours 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 521 kcal
This Texas toast French toast bake takes minimal effort — it's the perfect make-ahead breakfast for special occasions, holidays, or a casual weekend brunch. You only need a few ingredients and a few minutes of prep.

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup butter, melted 1 full stick
  • 12 slices frozen buttered Texas Toast (2 boxes), thawed
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 7 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • Optional, for serving: maple syrup, powdered sugar, and/or fresh fruit

Instructions

  • Pour melted butter into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Set aside.
    ½ cup butter, melted
  • In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
    1 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together vanilla extract, eggs and milk.
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 7 eggs, 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • Arrange 6 bread slices in a single layer on the bottom of the buttered baking dish. You can cut the bread, as necessary, to fit the bottom of the dish.
    12 slices frozen buttered Texas Toast (2 boxes), thawed
  • Sprinkle half of the sugar mixture over top.
  • Add another layer of bread slices. Pour egg mixture over the bread, and gently push down on the bread to make sure that they are evenly submerged.
  • Sprinkle remaining sugar mixture over top.
  • Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight. The longer it sits, the better!
  • When ready to bake: Preheat oven to 350F/180C.
  • Cover dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the casserole is set and the top is golden brown.
  • Drizzle with maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar just before serving.
    Optional, for serving: maple syrup, powdered sugar, and/or fresh fruit

Notes

What to Serve with Overnight French Toast Casserole: 
  • Fresh Berries: the only thing that could make this breakfast casserole better is fresh berries on top, like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or a combination of all three.
  • Sweet: a simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup is minimal but perfect. We love using pure maple syrup for the most authentic maple taste.
  • Creamy: garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. These creamy additions melt right into the bread, making it even more decadent.
  • Savory: serve this French toast bake alongside your favorite savory breakfast items – bacon, eggs, and sausage!
  • Starchy: if you’re going the sweet-and-savory route, why not serve it with breakfast potatoes? Serve with hash browns, cheesy potatoes, potatoes O’Brien, or crispy seasoned potatoes,
Recipe Tips and Variations:
  • If you’re using store-bought fresh bread, let it sit out of the bag on the counter overnight to become a little stale before using.
  • You could swap milk for heavy cream in this recipe if you want an even creamier custard.
  • For even more flavor, add a layer of toppings between layers of bread – chocolate chips, dollops of cream cheese, berries, or a little extra cinnamon.
  • This make-ahead French toast casserole can be assembled and baked on the same day. Just let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour – the longer, the better!
  • Cooking for a smaller crowd? Just cut the ingredients in half and use an 8 x 8 casserole dish instead! The baking instructions remain the same.
  • Leftover French toast casserole should be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to three days. You can enjoy leftovers reheated or cold!

Nutrition

Serving: 1/8 of the recipeCalories: 521kcalCarbohydrates: 61.8gProtein: 11.6gFat: 30.7gSaturated Fat: 12.5gCholesterol: 200.4mgSodium: 487.2mgSugar: 28.9g
Keyword: baked french toast, easy french toast casserole, make ahead french toast casserole
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Blair Lonergan
blair

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

Read More

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Comments

  1. French toast casseroles are my favorite! Love this easy version. Sounds perfect for Easter!

  2. This was a hit for Easter brunch! Used a dense Italian loaf that is made locally and sliced it thick. Will definitely make again. Thank you!

  3. 5 stars
    Wow I’ve never made a french toast casserole before this looks amazing. Perfect for weekend brunch!

  4. 5 stars
    Super Easy to follow and bake up. I prepared everything and left overnight. yummy…yummy have printed out a copy for my Mom. I have 3 more breakfasts for myself. Thank you for sharing.

      1. 3 stars
        was very easy , good flavor . but was a little too soggy and very sweet .
        should I bake it longer and how can I make it a little healthier?

        1. Hi, Sharon! You can bake it longer, and just cover loosely with foil if the top starts to get too brown before the inside is cooked to your liking. If you found it to be too sweet, you could try cutting the sugar mixture in half. It won’t have that crusty, thick streusel-like topping, but there will still be a little bit of sweetness and crunch…maybe you would prefer it that way?

  5. 5 stars
    Kudos to a very good recipe which allowed me to recover from several errors and I still received praise for the dish.

    I decided to fix the French toast casserole for a brunch for about 20 people… I made the mistake of fixing it for the first time for this group… I made two batches rather than double the ingredients planning that each 9X13 pan would serve 10. Smaller serving size justified by all the other food at the brunch.

    My first problem was that I could not locate frozen buttered Texas toast, (Yes, I found garlic and also cheese, but not plain or buttered.) I decided to use a French baguette for each batch, However, I was concerned that my bread was “too fresh”. To “dry it out” I preheated my oven to 170 degrees and turned it off. I had sliced the baguette in slices which were 3/4″ to 1″ thick and placed them on cookie sheets. I put them into the previously warmed oven for 10 minutes. This dried them out nicely. (I did butter them on both sides before assembling the dish.)

    When I started assembling the dish, I saw my next problem. I did not have enough bread to cover most of the bottom of the pan. However, I could fix two layers in each pan with each layer containing 2 rows of 5 slices, so I thought it was ok.

    When I added the egg/milk/vanilla mixture, I saw that the problem was greater than I previously anticipated… Because the liquid settled to the bottom, I basically had rivers with 10 very dry islands… Because my bread was dry (and hard), I could not compress it into the liquid… My recovery included: (1) I “flipped” some of the “islands’ so the “dry bread” was on the bottom and the soaked bread on top, and, (2). I also mixed up some more liquid using 4 eggs, 3/4 cup of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. I poured half of this into each pan.

    I did tell my guests that the recipe was good even though “presentation” was lacking.

    Bottom line is that the Baked French Toast was a big success. There were no leftovers. I received many compliments and 4 people asked for the recipe. I did give credit to the Seasoned Mom recipes.

    It is a fantastic recipe which allows a cook to recover from his/her errors. I definitely will be fixing this again and looking forward to trying other “dump and bake” recipes.

    I would request that you consider changing the phrase: “You can cut the bread, as necessary, to fit the bottom of the dish” to something stronger such as: “You should cut the bread, as necessary, to fit the bottom of the dish. Small gaps are ok.”

    Thanks for a wonderful recipe.

  6. Can you clarify some confusion I have…..if you layer the bread and pour the egg mixture on the top layer, how does the bottom layer get any of the egg mixture? The recipe splits the sugar mixture in 1/2 so it covers each piece of bread, but the egg mixture does not?
    Thank you!

    1. Hi, Kerri! It just kind of all soaks down, and as the bread absorbs more liquid, you can gently press the bread down so that it’s almost all submerged. Hope that makes sense! If you’d like to pour half of the liquid mixture over the first layer of bread, then repeat with the remaining bread and liquid, that certainly won’t hurt. 🙂

    1. Hi, Mimi! I would use 3 extra large eggs. If you don’t have extra large eggs available, then go with 4 small/regular eggs.

      Enjoy!