This easy French Toast Casserole is creamy and delicious and simply THE BEST EVER. As a bonus, it is so versatile. It can be made with different bread options, and served so many different ways. This French Toast Casserole is sure to become a favorite breakfast.
I absolutely love breakfast. Actually who doesn’t love breakfast? Have no idea what to make for dinner? Make this go-to favorite breakfast dish. . . I Ask you: What is better than breakfast for dinner? . . . FRENCH TOAST for dinner of course!
French toast is a family favorite for sure but it is kinda messy and time consuming to make. . . until now. Do yourself a favor and make this dish for your family. They will think you are amazing and love you forever.( I do not exaggerate)
I have made french toast casserole for years but it has always been just “so so” . . . kinda gummy in texture and just missing something. We first had THIS french toast casserole at my Mother in law’s house. She has the best recipes and we really enjoy spending time with her and eating the yummy things she makes. While this recipe isn’t exactly hers, as I can’t help but add my own twist to things, it is just as yummy.
So why is this the best French Toast Casserole ever?!
The difference between this casserole and others I have had is the CREAM CHEESE. OH MY WORD!! The cream cheese takes this casserole to the next level for sure. It almost tastes like a cream cheese danish fresh baked, right out of the oven. Hot out of the oven this is scrumptious but better yet, it is so EASY!
If I haven’t sold you already on this recipe already wait for this . . . You can use ANY kind of bread you have lying around for the recipe. When I whipped this up the other day I literally used leftover biscuits from yesterday’s breakfast along with the last remnants of honey whole wheat bread ends. Bread ends are NEVER eaten in my house. Is this normal? Can you relate? My frugal-minded self finds me making bread end sandwiches for myself . . . Sigh. . .
You could easily use day old (read STALE) french bread, sourdough or even good ole’ wonder bread. Use WHATEVER you have on hand, you just need 5 cups of bread cubes.
Talk about versatilty!
If you don’t have whole milk feel free to use half and half or even 2% or skim. Coconut milk would also work and you could substitute the yogurt for coconut cream. If you have sour cream on hand, this could be used in place of the yogurt. I prefer to not use sugar in this recipe and use the maple syrup and honey instead. You could substitute 1/4 cup of brown sugar for maple syrup. The options are endless.
You can even prepare this recipe fully the day before, cover and refrigerate. Just pull it out in the morning, bake it and BAM! you are Martha Stuart.
You can also top this with so many yummy options. Here are some of our favorites:
- Drizzle of honey
- Warm maple syrup
- Fresh berries
- Warm jelly or jam loosened with just a bit of water and warmed slightly (this tastes like a fruit danish)
- Cherry pie filling (swoon!)
- Whipped cream
- Plain or vanilla greek yogurt
- Chocolate sauce or caramel syrup (how decadent)!
You Will Need:
- 5 cups of day old bread cut into 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch cubes (could be any combination of leftover bread)
- 1/2 brick (4 ounces) of cream cheese
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup greek style yogurt
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 tbsp. honey
How to make French Toast Casserole:
Step 1: Prepare the bread and cream cheese.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 8×8 inch baking dish or 8 inch cast iron pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Slice bread into 1/2 inch cubes and place them in the dish.
Tuck quarter size dollops of cream cheese into and on top of the bread cubes
Step 2: Prepare the custard.
In a separate medium size bowl prepare the custard mixture: whisk eggs, milk, yogurt, vanilla, maple syrup and 1 tsp of cinnamon
Step 3: Poor Custard over bread cubes
Pour the custard mix over the bread cubes and cream cheese.
Toss the bread gently until well coated in the custard. Press down gently. Sprinkle top with 1 tsp of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey.
Step 4: Bake!
Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown on top and knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Do you love French Toast too? What are some of your favorite breakfast go-to recipes?
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Easy & Delicious French Toast Casserole
This French Toast Casserole is creamy, easy and delicious. Fresh out of the oven it tastes like a cream cheese danish. Use any combination of day-old bread and many different toppings to make this your favorite breakfast.
Ingredients
- 5 cups day old bread, sliced into 1/2 inch cubes
- 4 ounces cream cheese cut into quarter size pieces
- 2 tsp cinnamon (divided)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 c whole milk
- 1/2 c Greek yogurt
- 1/4 c maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp honey
- Optional: butter, maple syrup, powder sugar, cinnamon and sugar, warmed jelly, fresh or frozen berries or whatever you prefer for serving.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
- Spray a 8x8 inch baking dish or 8 inch cast iron pan with non-stick cooking spray. Slice bread into 1/2 inch cubes and place bread cubes in dish
- Tuck quarter size dollops of cream cheese into and on top of the bread cubes
- In a separate medium size bowl prepare the custard mixture: whisk eggs, milk, yogurt, vanilla, maple syrup and 1 tsp of cinnamon
- Pour custard mix over the bread cubes and cream cheese. Toss gently until bread is coated. Press down gently.
- Drizzle top with 1 tsp of cinnamon and drizzle of the honey
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown on top and knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 mins before serving
Notes
Serving Suggestions:
- Sprinkle of powder sugar,
- Butter and warm maple syrup
- Warm jelly or jam loosened with a bit of water
- Whipped cream or yogurt
- Fresh berries or other fresh fruit
If you want to make this dish ahead of time:
- You can make this recipe the day before just cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- When you are ready to bake, preheat oven. While preheating let dish sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Remove plastic wrap and bake!
