This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Overnight French Toast Casserole is the ultimate stress-free, make-ahead breakfast. Layered with brioche bread, soaked in a vibrant orange, blueberry and vanilla egg mixture. Topped with my homemade cinnamon whipped cream, this is the perfect recipe for the holidays, a special breakfast or brunch.
It’s become a tradition where I whip up my Batch Espresso Martinis and French Toast Casserole the night before Christmas. According to my kids “it’s the best breakfast ever”. Well not the martinis, just the casserole. After all, it’s layered with brioche brad, soaked in a vibrant orange, blueberry and vanilla egg mixture, topped with my cinnamon whipped cream. Although we tend to make this recipe over the holidays, it’s perfect for busy mornings or when entertaining larger crowds. Not to mention, you don’t need to deal with the hassle of cooking over the stove while your guests arrive.
Why you’ll love this Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Easy to make ahead: Prepare this one the day before and bake it the next morning.
- Versatile: Top with your favourites fruits: blueberries, strawberries or raspberries all work well.
- Crowd pleaser: This French Toast Casserole fills a 9×13″ baking dish and I get compliments every time I make it!
- Freezer friendly: Although I prefer this recipe fresh, it is freezer friendly. Before baking, cover with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 6 weeks. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as per recipe instructions.
Looking for more holiday recipes?
Who doesn’t need a few good go-to appetizers? Check out a few of my most popular ones right here on my blog:
- Shishito Peppers
- French Onion Dip
- Homemade Ricotta
- Fried Red Tomatoes
- Italian Rice Balls
- Whipped Feta with Maple Bacon and Toasted Walnuts
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Crispy Salami Bites
- Whipped Ricotta Crostini
- Baked Brie with Jam
- Brie Bites with Red Pepper Jelly
Topping ideas for French Toast Casserole
- Above all, you need to top this French Toast Casserole with my simple cinnamon whipped cream. You can also top with fresh fruit, chopped nuts, syrup, or chocolate chips.
Did you like this recipe?
If you liked my French Toast Casserole, please consider leaving me a 5 star review and rating below.
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche bread, 1-2 days old, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 7 eggs
- 1½ cups milk, 2%
- 1/2 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed, about 1 large navel orange
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Cinnamon Whipped Cream
- 2 cups whipping cream (473 mL carton), 33%
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 3 tbsp sugar, add more if you want it sweeter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13" baking dish with butter or cooking oil.
- Cut the bread into 1 inch cubes and add to the baking dish.
- Next, add the blueberries on top of the bread cubes.
- To a large mixing bowl add the eggs, milk, orange juice, orange zest, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt.Whisk together until well combined.
- Pour evenly over the bread cubes.
- Gently press the bread cubes into the egg mixture, ensuring that each piece is submerged into the liquid.Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 375 °F.Bake until casserole is browned, bubbling, and set. About 35-45 minutes.Cover with aluminum foil if the top or edges appear to be browning too quickly.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- To prepare the whipped cream, use a handheld or stand mixer and mix together the heavy cream, vanilla, sugar and cinnamon on medium speed for 1 minute.
- Increase the speed to medium/high and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- Top the casserole with a generous scoop of cinnamon whipped cream and maple syrup.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Let’s stay connected!
Keep in touch with me and my recipes on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest! Also, if you do make this recipe (or any recipe of mine for that matter) be sure to tag #sammymontgoms so I can see your recreations!
Looks delicious I will definitely try
Hi, could I possibly make this two days ahead of time? Thanks
I am sure you could – though, I haven’t tried it yet!
Perfect easy make ahead brunch. Sweet but not too sweet. Halved the recipe and we all loved it. Thank you!!
Thank you for the recipe. Looks delicious. Will be doing this for Christmas.
Can the whipped cream be made the night before as well?
It sure can!
kids loved it!
This French toast was amazing😋. We question the whole orange, but wow, that was delicious!!
My family love it♥️. We are keeping it in our list of favorites.
Made this for my family’s Christmas breakfast today. It was excellent. Delicious blend of sweet flavors and very festive looking as well. Goes well with a side of crispy bacon!
Made it for Christmas Morning! Whole family loves it. We topped it with vanilla greek yogurt and maple syrup instead of the topping but still so good!
Hi Jane! That sounds so tasty! Thanks for making this recipe! I am so happy you enjoyed it! -Sammy
Amazing!
Absolutely delicious and easy to make
Excellent, my whole family devored it this morning (Christmas day)
Made this for Christmas morning and it was SO good. Loved the hint of orange and the whipped cream with cinnamon. Yum!
So easy and delish. Definitely going to be our new Christmas breakfast
That makes me so happy! -Sammy
Delicious!
A new family favourite!!
Made for Christmas morning this year & it was a hit, loved it!!
SO happy everyone loved it!
I made this for Christmas morning and it was delicious!! I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out great! The addition of orange really added to the flavors and took this dish to the next level. My mom is an amazing cook and she asked for this recipe! I will make this again! Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Jackie! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a review. So happy this recipe was part of your Christmas morning! xo -Sammy
Actually, made and cooked it same day – it was a hit!! Was asked for the recipe from several guests 🙂
Looking forward to prepping it the day before and see what the difference is, if any – either way it will taste yummy!
Thank you!
This tasted great! We will have this again and again!
Substituted 1/2 loaf with cinnamon and raisin bread! Loved the extra cinnamon taste!
Thanks for sharing!
SO GOOD! We had this made for Christmas morning and it was so nice to have it prepared in advance. The whipped cream is amazing and I will only be making this one for everything from now on. The recipe makes a ton of whipped cream fyi.
Hero of Christmas morning! It allowed me to be present. So easy and so delicious. I especially loved the whipped cream, not too sweet…perfect for my palate!
Thanks for coming through once again with deliciousness, Sammy style!
Easy to make. Something different and it was delicious.
I made this for my family over the Christmas holidays, and everyone enjoyed it. Definitely a “make again” recipe! 🙂
Fantastic! I added a tad more milk and one more extra egg but everyone loved it!
Fantastic! I have made it twice!
*I added a bit more cream and one more egg the second time I made it but it’s a family favourite now! Thanks!
Delicious! We make French Toast casserole every year for Christmas morning and I tried this one this year. My girls declared it was the best one ever and requested it again. I just made it last night and brought into work this morning – it’s a big hit!
I tried this for Christmas and everyone loved it!! 5 bright stars 🌟