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Christmas French Toast Bake

An easy overnight French toast bake with soft brioche, a cinnamon vanilla custard and a crunchy brown sugar pecan topping. Assemble it the night before and bake it fresh on Christmas morning.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Chill overnight 8 hours
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 390 kcal

Ingredients
  

French toast:

  • 1 loaf brioche or challah bread about 16 oz, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 12 cups)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Pecan streusel topping:

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter 1 stick, cubed
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans optional
  • maple syrup and powdered sugar for serving

Instructions
 

  • Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread the bread cubes evenly in the dish.
  • In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until smooth. Pour evenly over the bread and press the cubes down gently so they soak up the custard.
  • Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight (up to 12 hours).
  • For the topping, mix the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter with a fork or pastry cutter until it looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in the pecans. Cover and refrigerate until morning.
  • In the morning, take the dish out of the fridge while the oven heats to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the topping evenly over the bread.
  • Bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes, until puffed, golden and set in the center (a knife in the middle should come out without wet custard, about 160°F). If the top browns too fast, cover loosely with foil.
  • Rest for 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with warm maple syrup.

Notes

Make ahead: Assemble the bread and custard up to 12 hours ahead. Keep the topping separate in the fridge.
Storage: Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Microwave single slices for 30 to 45 seconds, or warm covered at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
Variations: Add 1 cup fresh cranberries or blueberries, swap pecans for walnuts, or use eggnog in place of the heavy cream.
Keyword christmas breakfast, christmas french toast bake, make-ahead french toast, overnight french toast casserole