Overnight French Toast Bake
The aroma of sweet, warm maple syrup wafts through the air as you slice into a golden-brown piece of Overnight French Toast Bake. The tender, custardy challah captures every bit of the creamy egg mixture, topped with a delightful crunch of sliced almonds and a pop of tartness from dried cranberries. It’s a dish that feels like a generous hug on a chilly morning, perfect for slow weekends or festive gatherings. I remember my first attempt at making this dish—it was a cozy holiday breakfast with family, filled with laughter and sticky fingers reaching for seconds. Every bite was a nostalgic reminder of simpler times.
Table of Contents
This Overnight French Toast Bake transforms breakfast from everyday to extraordinary. If you’re seeking comfort food that’s easy to whip up and even easier to enjoy, you’re in the right place. Imagine gathering your loved ones around the table, sharing stories over steaming plates of this delectable bake. It’s time to embrace the joy of food and create your own cherished memories. Let’s dive into this scrumptious recipe together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: With only 15 minutes of prep and overnight chilling, this dish is a breeze to make.
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of creamy egg custard and warm spices creates a deeply satisfying taste.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: Serve it straight from the oven to the table for a stunning presentation that impresses guests.
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for brunch, holiday mornings, or even a cozy weeknight breakfast.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable for gluten-free or dairy-free diets with simple ingredient swaps.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Challah Bread: The star of this dish, challah’s rich texture soaks up the custard beautifully. For a direct substitute, you could use brioche. Just ensure it’s still a bit stale, so it absorbs the egg mixture without falling apart.
Eggs: Eight large eggs create a rich custard base, giving it that perfect, fluffy texture. If you want to lower cholesterol, you can replace some eggs with additional egg whites.
Egg Whites: Using ½ cup of egg whites contributes to a lighter texture but still maintains the custard’s richness.
Almond Milk (Unsweetened Vanilla): I love using Almond Breeze for its subtle sweetness and nutty flavor. You can swap it with any milk you prefer, like oat or soy milk.
Vanilla Extract and Almond Extract: A teaspoon of each adds depth to the flavor profile. You can replace almond extract with more vanilla if you aren’t a fan of almond flavor.
Ground Cinnamon: This spice invokes warm, comforting vibes with every bite. For a twist, try adding a pinch of nutmeg.
Maple Syrup: A ⅓ cup sweetens the dish naturally and pairs perfectly with the flavors. You can always drizzle more on top when serving for added sweetness.
Sliced Almonds: These give a lovely crunch and nutty flavor. If you’re nut-free, feel free to use sunflower seeds for a similar texture.
Brown Sugar: Just two tablespoons of brown sugar sprinkled on top caramelizes beautifully while baking, enhancing flavor.
Dried Cranberries: They add a burst of color and tartness, perfectly balancing the sweet and creamy elements of the dish.
How to Make Overnight French Toast Bake
Prep the Baking Dish: Start by lightly spraying a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. This ensures that every slice comes out effortlessly clean and prevent sticking.
Arrange the Bread: Take your cubes of challah and layer them evenly in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. It’s okay if they overlap a little—it allows for some extra soaking goodness! You should see a whimsical array of golden bread pieces waiting to soak up all that delicious custard.
Mix the Custard: Whisk together eggs, egg whites, almond milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, and maple syrup in a large bowl until smooth. The mixture should become a creamy, fragrant blend, with the vanilla and almond notes swirling together until well combined. This will be the soul of your **Overnight French Toast Bake**.
Soak the Bread: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread pieces, ensuring that each piece of challah is soaked well. Use a spatula to gently press down the bread to help it soak up the custard. That’s the key to a moist, flavorful breakfast!
Cover and Refrigerate: Wrap the dish with plastic wrap and tuck it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but ideally, let it sit overnight. This soaking time is crucial for allowing the bread to absorb the flavors of the custard.
Preheat and Prepare: In the morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). The aroma of sweet spices will begin to fill your kitchen in no time!
Add Toppings: Before baking, sprinkle the top of your eggy creation with sliced almonds and the brown sugar, which will caramelize and create a delightful topping. Don’t hold back on the almonds if you love the crunch! I like to add them for texture while baking.
Bake Until Golden: Place the dish in the preheated oven, baking for about 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly. Your heart will soar with the warm scent enveloping your kitchen!
Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the dried cranberries on top for an elegant touch. Serve this warm, drizzled with extra maple syrup for that delightful sweetness that will have everyone at the table reaching for more!
Storing & Reheating
To store any leftovers, cover the dish with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container, keeping it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you’d like to preserve it longer, you can freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. When reheating, simply place your slice in a microwave for about 1-2 minutes or heat it in a toaster oven until warmed through. Note that freezing may alter the texture slightly, but a drizzle of maple syrup will bring it back to life!
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Avoid soggy bread by using slightly stale challah. If your bread is fresh, you can cube it up and let it sit out for a few hours before soaking.
- Room temperature eggs ensure even mixing, while cold liquids could affect your custard consistency.
- If you’re in a hurry, you can prep this morning and let it sit for as little as 4 hours, but overnight is best!
- For a deeper flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of cream cheese or ricotta in between the layers of bread.
- Feel free to switch up the fruits! Fresh berries, sliced fresh bananas, or even peach slices can be great additions.
This Overnight French Toast Bake serves up a comforting, delicious breakfast that’s perfect for gathering with family or entertaining friends. You can easily customize it with your favorite fruits, nuts, or even a sprinkle of chocolate chips. Enjoy the simplicity of prepping this dish the night before and indulging in the warm, gooey goodness in the morning. Have fun experimenting and making this recipe your own!
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this Overnight French Toast Bake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap out the challah for your favorite gluten-free bread. Many grocery stores now offer gluten-free options that work quite well. Just ensure to check that your almond milk and other ingredients are labeled gluten-free too!
How can I make this recipe dairy-free?
This recipe is easily adaptable for a dairy-free lifestyle. Use unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk as a direct substitute for regular milk. The flavor will still be delicious, and you won’t miss a thing!
Can I prepare this without egg?
Yes! For a vegan version, you can replace the eggs with a mixture of ground flax seeds and water (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water per egg) or use a store-bought egg replacer. The texture will be slightly different, but it will still be tasty!
What toppings pair well with Overnight French Toast Bake?
Sky’s the limit! You can dress it up with fresh fruits like strawberries or bananas, whipped cream, or even a dollop of yogurt. Don’t forget the maple syrup, which adds that sweet touch that pairs beautifully with the custardy bread.
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📖 Recipe Card
Overnight French Toast Bake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Overnight French Toast Bake is a flavorful and easy breakfast dish made with rich challah bread, eggs, and a hint of sweet maple syrup, perfect for cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 cup egg whites
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 10 cups cubed challah bread
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Prep a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Layer cubed challah in the dish in a single layer.
- Whisk together eggs, egg whites, almond milk, extracts, cinnamon, and maple syrup.
- Pour egg mixture over bread, pressing down to soak it.
- Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) in the morning.
- Sprinkle sliced almonds and brown sugar on top.
- Bake for about 50 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with dried cranberries and serve warm.
Notes
Using stale bread prevents sogginess.
Room temperature eggs mix better into the custard.
Customize with fruits or nuts as desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
