Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake: Your Stress-Free Holiday Breakfast with Cranberry Maple Syrup
Imagine waking up on a crisp Christmas morning to the inviting aroma of a freshly baked casserole, rich with the festive scent of eggnog and warm spices. This dream becomes a delicious reality with our Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake with Cranberry Maple Syrup. A true holiday favorite, this dish promises to be the centerpiece of your festive table, offering both convenience and incredible flavor.
There truly is nothing better than waking up on a holiday morning to the comforting scent of a fresh baked french toast casserole. This recipe elevates a classic breakfast with the indulgent flavors of eggnog, aromatic spices like cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves, all crowned with a delightful streusel and served with a tangy cranberry maple syrup. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that captures the essence of the festive season.
The magic of this Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake lies in its make-ahead simplicity. You prepare the entire dish the night before, allowing the bread to soak up all the rich, custardy goodness. Then, on the morning of, you simply pop it into the oven. This means less stress and more precious moments spent with your loved ones, enjoying Christmas music, and opening gifts, rather than being stuck in the kitchen. If you adore french toast, this festive twist is an absolute must-try!
Why Choose an Overnight French Toast Bake?
The holiday season is often a whirlwind of activities, and the last thing anyone wants is a complicated breakfast recipe that takes hours to prepare on Christmas morning. That’s where an overnight French toast bake truly shines. This ingenious method allows you to complete almost all the prep work the night before, freeing up your morning for more important things – like watching the kids open presents or simply savoring a quiet cup of coffee. You can assemble the dish in under 15 minutes, let it chill in the refrigerator overnight, and then bake it for about 50 minutes when you’re ready to eat.
The overnight soak isn’t just about convenience; it’s also about flavor and texture. Allowing the bread to sit in the eggnog custard overnight ensures that every single piece of bread thoroughly absorbs the rich, spiced liquid. This results in an incredibly moist and flavorful interior, while the oven’s heat creates a beautifully golden, slightly crispy top. It’s a win-win for busy hosts and hungry families alike!
Last year, I shared my Overnight Coconut Cranberry French Toast Bake, which was a huge hit with my family on Christmas morning. This year, when the Ohio Poultry Association asked me to create another holiday-themed egg recipe, I knew I had to put another fun, festive twist on French toast. In our house, weekend breakfasts are a tradition, usually consisting of waffles, pancakes, or French toast. My kids, Drew and Will, love to get involved in the kitchen, helping to measure and mix ingredients. Overnight recipes are perfect for this, as they can assist with the prep the night before and then wake up to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
The Power of Eggs: A Protein-Packed Start to Your Holiday
This delightful dish isn’t just a treat for your taste buds; it’s also a fantastic way to start your holiday with a boost of high-quality protein. The recipe features a generous eight eggs, combined with the richness of eggnog, ensuring a substantial and satisfying breakfast. The protein found in eggs is renowned as one of the highest-quality proteins available in any food, providing essential amino acids your body needs.
Starting your morning with a protein-rich egg breakfast helps keep you feeling fuller for longer and provides sustained energy throughout the day. This is particularly beneficial during the holidays when there’s so much to do and enjoy! You’ll be fueled for hours of festive activities, cutting down on unnecessary snacking and preventing overeating later in the day. It’s a smart choice for a busy holiday morning, ensuring everyone stays energized and happy.
And here’s a fun fact from my home state: Ohio is the second-largest egg-producing state in the nation, contributing over 8.7 billion eggs each year. So, there’s a great chance that the fresh, high-quality eggs you’re using for your holiday brunch are proudly sourced from Ohio egg farms! You can feel excellent about serving this festive, wholesome, and delicious breakfast to your guests and family this holiday season, knowing it’s packed with goodness.
Crafting the Perfect Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake
Creating this memorable holiday breakfast involves selecting the right ingredients that come together to form a symphony of flavors and textures. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and comforting warmth.
Key Components of the Bake:
- Bread: The foundation of any great French toast is the bread. For this casserole, you’ll want a sturdy, crusty bread that can withstand soaking in the rich custard without becoming overly soggy. Excellent choices include challah, sourdough, or a soft French bread. It’s best to use day-old bread, or even leave fresh bread out overnight, as slightly stale bread absorbs the custard more effectively, ensuring a deep, consistent flavor. Cut it into 1-inch cubes for optimal soaking and even baking.
- Cranberries: Dried cranberries are a wonderful addition, bringing a burst of sweet-tart flavor and a beautiful festive color to the French toast casserole. They distribute nicely throughout the dish, adding a pleasant chewiness to each bite.
- Eggs: As the star binder, eight large eggs create the luxurious custard that saturates the bread. Eggs contribute significantly to the dish’s structure, richness, and, as mentioned, its high-quality protein content.
- Eggnog: This festive beverage is the secret ingredient that transforms ordinary French toast into a holiday masterpiece. Eggnog infuses the casserole with its signature creamy, sweet, and spiced flavor, making every bite feel like a celebration.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a subtle warmth and depth that complements the eggnog and spices beautifully.
- Spices: The spice mixture is what truly makes this dish sing with holiday cheer. A blend of warm cinnamon, fragrant nutmeg, earthy allspice, and a hint of pungent cloves creates an aromatic profile that is both comforting and exhilarating, perfectly suited for the festive season.
The Irresistible Streusel Topping:
No casserole is complete without a delightful topping, and this streusel adds a crucial layer of texture and sweetness:
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar is the key to a sweet, caramel-like, crumbly topping that forms a golden crust on the casserole.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the crumble, ensuring it holds together and creates that satisfying crunch.
- Cinnamon: A dash of ground cinnamon in the streusel mirrors the spices in the custard, tying all the flavors together and adding extra aromatic warmth.
- Pecans: Roughly chopped pecans are folded into the streusel, adding a wonderful nutty crunch and a rich flavor that pairs exquisitely with the other ingredients.
- Unsalted Butter: Cold, cubed unsalted butter is cut into the dry ingredients to create the classic crumbly texture of a streusel. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish more precisely.
Finishing Touch: Cranberry Maple Syrup:
To truly elevate this French toast bake, a homemade cranberry maple syrup provides the perfect tangy-sweet counterpoint:
- Cranberry Sauce: You can opt for high-quality store-bought cranberry sauce for convenience, or easily make your own homemade cranberry sauce for an even fresher flavor. The tartness of the cranberries cuts through the richness of the French toast beautifully.
- Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup adds a natural, rich sweetness that blends perfectly with the cranberry, creating a vibrant and festive topping.
How to Make this Overnight Eggnog French Toast Casserole
Preparing this festive breakfast is incredibly straightforward, especially with the overnight method. Follow these simple steps for a perfect holiday morning treat:
- Prepare Bread & Pan: First, grease a 9×13 inch baking pan generously with butter or a nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Slice your chosen bread (challah, sourdough, or French bread) into approximately 1-inch cubes. Arrange these bread cubes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Evenly scatter the dried cranberries over the bread layer. Set the pan aside.
- Create the Eggnog Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, eggnog, ground cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and the optional cloves. Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
- Soak Overnight: Carefully pour the prepared eggnog custard evenly over the bread and cranberry mixture in the baking pan, ensuring all the bread cubes are well coated. Gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the liquid. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but ideally, let it soak overnight (8-12 hours) for the best flavor and texture.
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Streusel: On the morning of serving, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the French toast bake pan from the refrigerator and discard the plastic wrap.
- Add Streusel Topping: In a separate medium bowl, prepare the streusel topping. Whisk together the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground cinnamon until combined. Using two forks or your fingertips, cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this streusel topping evenly over the soaked bread. Then, scatter the pecan halves over the streusel.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the uncovered baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the streusel is crisp, and the center is set (a knife inserted into the center should come out mostly clean). If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
- Serve Warm: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm, garnished with a dusting of powdered sugar, extra pecans, and a generous drizzle of the homemade Cranberry Maple Syrup.
Recipe FAQ
For the best results, cut your bread into 1-inch cubes or thick slices to ensure it soaks up the custard evenly. Day-old or slightly stale bread works wonders as it absorbs the liquid more effectively without becoming mushy. Arrange the pieces tightly in the baking dish to maximize flavor in every bite.
Absolutely! I highly recommend preparing this dish the night before. The overnight soak is crucial as it allows the bread to fully absorb the rich eggnog custard mixture, resulting in a more flavorful and tender French toast. Pour the custard evenly over the bread, pressing down gently to ensure every piece is coated. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight. If you’re really short on time, a minimum of 1-2 hours in the fridge will still yield good results, but overnight is ideal.
Serve your warm casserole with a generous drizzle of the Cranberry Maple Syrup. Additional toppings can include a dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a medley of fresh seasonal berries like raspberries or sliced bananas. Extra toasted pecans also add a delightful crunch.
While you can use regular sandwich bread, it tends to be softer and may become too soggy when soaked overnight. If using sandwich bread, consider toasting it lightly first to give it more structure and prevent it from disintegrating in the custard. Challah, sourdough, or French bread are much better choices for their sturdiness.
For ultimate creaminess and flavor, I prefer whole milk. However, you can also use heavy cream or half-and-half for an even richer texture. If eggnog isn’t available, you can substitute it with a mix of whole milk and additional spices to mimic the flavor profile.
Yes, it’s essential to grease the baking dish thoroughly before adding the bread. This prevents the casserole from sticking to the bottom and sides, ensuring easy serving and cleanup.
While eggnog is key to this specific recipe’s holiday flavor, you can substitute it with an equal amount of whole milk or a mix of milk and cream. You would then want to increase the cinnamon, nutmeg, and possibly add a pinch of ginger to compensate for the missing spices and richness of the eggnog.
Storage Tips
Enjoying this delicious French toast bake doesn’t have to be a one-time event. Here’s how to store leftovers to savor them later:
- Refrigerate: Allow any leftover casserole to cool completely to room temperature before storing. For easy storage, you can either cover the entire baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. Alternatively, slice the casserole into individual portions and store them in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, you can use a microwave for individual portions (1-2 minutes until heated through). For larger portions or to retain a crispier topping, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed. If reheating in the oven, cover with foil to prevent excessive browning, removing it for the last few minutes if you prefer a crispier top.
- To Freeze: To extend its shelf life, this French toast bake freezes beautifully. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thawing and Reheating Frozen Portions: When you’re ready to enjoy frozen leftovers, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Then, reheat as described above (microwave or oven). For best results, remove the plastic wrap before reheating and cover with foil if using the oven.
Variations and Customizations for Your French Toast Bake
While the classic Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake is a winner, don’t hesitate to get creative and customize it to your family’s preferences. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Fruitful Additions: Beyond dried cranberries, consider adding other dried or fresh fruits. Dried apricots, cherries, or finely diced apples can be mixed in with the bread cubes. For fresh fruit, add sliced bananas or berries (like blueberries or raspberries) during the last 15-20 minutes of baking, or serve them fresh on top.
- Nutty Variations: Instead of pecans, or in addition to them, try walnuts, slivered almonds, or even chopped hazelnuts in your streusel topping for a different flavor and texture profile.
- Spice It Up: If you’re a fan of bolder flavors, a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom can be added to the custard mix for an extra layer of warmth. You can also play with the amounts of each spice to suit your taste.
- Chocolate Indulgence: For a more decadent treat, sprinkle some chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) over the bread cubes along with the cranberries. They’ll melt into pockets of deliciousness as the casserole bakes.
- Citrus Zest: A little bit of orange or lemon zest grated into the custard can brighten the entire dish, offering a fresh contrast to the rich flavors.
- Sweetener Swaps: While brown sugar is traditional, you can experiment with other sweeteners like honey or maple sugar in the streusel or custard for slightly different flavor nuances.
Serving Suggestions for a Memorable Holiday Brunch
This Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake is hearty enough to stand alone, but for a truly unforgettable holiday brunch spread, consider pairing it with a few complementary dishes:
- Savory Sides: Balance the sweetness with savory elements. Crispy bacon, sausage links or patties, or even a simple frittata made with seasonal vegetables would be excellent additions.
- Fresh Fruit Medley: A colorful bowl of fresh fruit, such as sliced oranges, grapes, kiwi, or a mixed berry salad, provides a refreshing contrast and adds a lighter touch to the meal.
- Hot Beverages: Don’t forget the drinks! Alongside your coffee or tea, consider serving hot cocoa with marshmallows for the kids (and adults!), or even a festive mimosa or cranberry spritzer for a special touch.
- Yogurt Parfait Bar: Set up a small bar with Greek yogurt, granola, and various fruit toppings for those who might want a lighter option or an additional side.
Other Cranberry Recipes to Try:
- WARM BRIE CRANBERRY NAAN
- CRANBERRY CHICKEN
- HAM CHEESE AND CRANBERRY ROLLUPS
- OVERNIGHT EGGNOG FRENCH TOAST BAKE WITH CRANBERRY MAPLE SYRUP
- CRANBERRY COCNUT OATMEAL COOKIE BARS
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Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake with Cranberry Maple Syrup
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Ingredients
For the Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake:
- 1 (12-14 ounce) loaf french bread, sourdough bread, or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes {day old bread works best}
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 8 large eggs
- 2 and 1/2 cups eggnog
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves {optional}
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup pecan halves
- Powdered sugar, extra pecans and dried cranberries (for garnish)
For the Cranberry Maple Syrup:
- 1 cup cranberry sauce {homemade or store-bought} *
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- *For a homemade cranberry sauce: use 1 bag of fresh cranberries with 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Boil the water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Add the cranberries and simmer on medium heat until the cranberries pop. Cool and pour into a mason jar for the syrup.
Instructions
-
Grease a 9×13 pan with butter or spray with nonstick spray. Slice then cut the bread into cubes, about 1 inch in size. Spread cubes into the prepared baking pan and top evenly with the dried cranberries. Set aside.
-
In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs, eggnog, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves {optional}, brown sugar, and vanilla together until the sugar dissolves. Pour the liquid over the bread. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 4 hours but ideally overnight.
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the french toast bake pan from the refrigerator and take off the plastic wrap.
-
Prepare the streusel topping {this could be done the night before}. Whisk the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Using two forks cut in the cold, cubed butter until crumbly. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the bread. Sprinkle pecans over the french toast bake.
-
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown on top and set in the center. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the last 10-15 minutes.
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Serve warm with powdered sugar, extra pecans, and a generous drizzle of the cranberry maple syrup.
Notes
- Leftovers can be saved in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, or frozen for up to 2 months.
- For a casserole with a soft interior and a slightly crispy, golden-brown exterior, I recommend baking for the full 50 minutes. If you prefer a softer texture throughout, aim for 40-45 minutes of baking time.
- The key to a truly flavorful French toast bake is allowing the bread to fully soak up the custard. Using a crusty bread like challah or sourdough works best for this. If you only have fresh, soft bread, leave it out overnight to get slightly stale, or lightly toast it before cutting into cubes. If using a very crusty or dense bread, you might increase the eggnog by an extra 1/2 cup to ensure maximum absorption.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake with Cranberry Maple Syrup
8
15 minutes
50 minutes
1 hour 5 minutes
Wake up on Christmas morning to the sweet smell of Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake with Cranberry Maple Syrup. This is a family favorite during the holidays!
Ingredients
For the Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake:
- 1 (12-14 ounce) loaf french bread, sourdough bread, or challah {day old bread works best}
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 8 large eggs
- 2 and 1/2 cups eggnog
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves {optional}
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 cup pecan halves
- Garnish with powdered sugar, extra pecans and dried cranberries
For the Cranberry Maple Syrup:
- 1 cup cranberry sauce {homemade or store-bought} *
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- *For a homemade cranberry sauce use 1 bag of fresh cranberries with 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Boil the water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Add the cranberries and simmer on medium heat until the cranberries pop. Cool and pour into a mason jar for the syrup.
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 pan with butter or spray with nonstick spray. Slice then cut the bread into cubes, about 1 inch in size. Spread cubes into the prepared baking pan and top evenly with the dried cranberries. Set aside.
- Whisk the eggs, eggnog, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves {optional}, brown sugar, and vanilla together until the sugar dissolves. Pour the liquid over the bread. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 4 hours but ideally overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the french toast bake pan from the refrigerator and take off the plastic wrap.
- Prepare the streusel topping {this could be done the night before}. Whisk the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a large bowl. Using two forks cut in the butter. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the bread. Sprinkle pecans over the french toast bake.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Serve warm with powdered sugar and extra pecans along with a drizzle of the cranberry maple syrup.
Notes
Leftovers can be saved in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
I like my casserole to have a soft inside and a crispy outside so I tend to bake mine for 50-55 minutes. If you like it softer on the outside you will want to do closer to 45 minutes.
Today’s post is proudly sponsored by the Ohio Poultry Association. As always, all opinions and recipe creations are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands and organizations that enable me to continue creating new and delicious recipes for you to enjoy.