Overnight Cinnamon Baked French Toast Casserole
This past weekend was pretty busy. It felt like we were just running from one thing to the next. It was all good stuff, just a lot.
We went to the Panthers vs Falcons game yesterday (don’t even get me started on the game – depressing – again). My older brother is actually a Falcons fan and has season tickets so his family and some friends already have a tailgate set up, so we joined.

Normally we just bring a munchie to add. But Saturday night I checked with my sister in law at about 9pm to see if there was anything specific that would be good to bring.
I should have known better. It was already late. We were on our way to a friend’s birthday party (late) and I didn’t really have to time to do much. But I hadn’t gotten anything yet (I was lacking inspiration) and knew I’d have to go to the store, so I checked with her to make it easier. I figured if I knew what to get, I could go into the store, get it and go.
Or so I thought.
Apparently is was a breakfast themed tailgate. The suggestion was french toast. If I couldn’t do anything breakfasty, then a munchie.
Crap. I did not want to get up early and start making french toast. We wanted to leave at 9 a.m. to get to the tailgate around 10 a.m. and have plenty of time. I have to shower and walk the dog already, putting me at a wake up time of about 7:30 a.m. Way too early for Sunday.

But I’m also not one to turn down a request if I can help it. I probably should sometimes, but it’s tough for me. And like I said, I wasn’t feeling inspired by a munchie.
So I thought about baking the french toast. Figured that might be the way to go. I could put a bunch of pieces in at once. But as I thought about it, it didn’t seem awesome. By the time we’d get down there, it’d just be floppy and boring.
Then I googled French Toast casserole. I’ve seen them floating around pintrest so I figured there should be a good recipe out there.

Pioneer Woman did not disappoint. I had most of the ingredients in my pantry, minus the sourdough bread and it looked pretty straight forward. It also is covered in cinnamon and sugar. Yummy! If I’m going to spend a little extra time on something at midnight, it should be covered in cinnamon and sugar.
So then I had to google the grocery store. I knew Publix closed at 9 or 10 p.m. and by the time we left the party, they’d be closed. I don’t know of a 24 hour Publix, so I looked up Kroger. They are open till 1 a.m.! Score! And there was one right on the corner near where we were going!
So we went by on the way home, I grabbed my bread, threw the casserole together in about 20 minutes and threw it in the fridge. I put in the oven the next morning before walking the dog and hoped for the best.

It was soooo good! The pictures don’t do it justice.
But I forgot to add the syrup for the pics. I was being rushed to get out the door. The hubs literally came and stood right next to were I was taking pics and let out a big sigh to let me know he was waiting, haha. Gotta love him. Oh well. You forgive me, right?
Besides, a lot of people ate it without the syrup and said it didn’t even need it. The bread is so moist and the topping so yummy all by itself! My friend and I actually sat in the backseat eating the leftovers without syrup while we were stuck in traffic after the game (the men were driving). It was delicious.
So you should seriously make this. My regular for holiday mornings has always been an overnight egg and sausage casserole, but this might replace it. Or at least appear right next to it. 🙂
Overnight Cinnamon Baked French Toast Casserole
Pioneer Woman’s overnight Cinnamon Baked French Toast Casserole: easy to make and so incredibly good! Perfect for a holiday make-ahead breakfast or brunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 15-18 Servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
CASSEROLE
- 1 loaf Sourdough Or French Bread (I used sourdough)
- 8 whole eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3/4 cups Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
TOPPING
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick butter, cut in pieces
- fresh fruit (optional)
Instructions
Keywords: overnight french toast recipe, baked french toast recipe, christmas morning brunch recipe
Recipe originally from Pioneer Woman
Enjoy!

Question… I just found this on Pinterest & can’t wait to try! Did you mean 2 TEASPOONS of vanilla? I see that it says TABLESPOONS and had to check!
Hi Jennifer! It actually is 2 tablespoons. I can understand why you weren’t sure though – it’s a lot. But it’s good, you’ll love it!
Thank you!! 🙂
CAN I PUT SOME CREAM CHEESE ?
I’m not sure at what stage you are talking about adding cream cheese and I’ve never tried it. I would think you probably could, but it’s not something I could advise you on. Sorry.
I cant wait to try it
looks yummy!
I might try this for Christmas morning.
I can’t wait to try this.
Oh my this looks so yummy I will have to try it. I have tried several recipe on Recipe Lion and they are so good love it.
OMGoodness ! this will be my new Christmas breakfast dish ! can’t wait to try it 🙂 thanx for sharing
Great with a cup of coffee.
What’s a URL? This recipe sound awsome. I’m going to try it next time we have overnite company.
This lets me join my family’s excitement while preparing a delicious delught for them at the same time
sounds delicious
sounds yummy. I can’t wait to try it.
Looks yummy! Can’t wait to try it!
YUM! This is the most scrumptious breakfast cinnamon casserole I’ve yet seen, and I LOVE sourdough bread :), so definitely making this not just over holidays, but whenever company is around to entertain 🙂
I love make ahead breakfasts like this! My suggestion…heat your syrup on the stove in a small pan before serving. Add a tablespoon of butter after it is warm and whisk in an additonal teaspoon of cinnamon. Yum!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. There is so much cooking that has to be done for the holidays and this would be great.
Looks yummy! Love breakfast casseroles on holidays and when we have over night company.
I will definitely be trying this one!
This looks delish! That topping just puts it right over the top. I think this will be a Black Friday brunch recipe. Thanks for sharing it!
I love french toast and cinnamon! A wonderful smell on Christmas morning!
I have a feeling this one could go on my breakfast favorites list! It looks heavenly and involves some of my favorite flavors! Must try!
very nice, will try it tonight for thanksgiving day!
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I made this and was very yummy but the middle of it was still pretty wet and didn’t seem cooked well. I left it in the oven for 55 minutes. Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Hmm, I know 55 minutes is a long time, but it still could have needed to cook longer.
It says lay out evenly, should i not layer the bread on top of each other? I am making this tonight
I’m sorry, I didn’t see this! I hope you were able to figure it out! I just meant a general even layer, but it will be piled on top of each other.
I just came across this recipe, and Oh. My. Goodness. My mouth is literally watering. Do you think I could put the cinnamon topping on the casserole the night before and bake it like you suggested in the morning?
Yea, I think it’d be fine to add it the night before.
I have this sitting in the fridge waiting for Christmas morning! I did 1stick +1Tbsp butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar and 3/4 cup flour and just a pinch extra on the cinnamon for the topping, plus a mix of chopped walnuts and pecans. Can’t wait to try it!
Yesterday I was asked to make a breakfast dish to serve 20 people for a meeting at 6:30am. After the initial panic, this post came to mind. A quick trip to the store to buy 2 loaves of bread (the rest of the ingredients already on hand) I prepped (2) 9×13 pans and stuck them in the fridge before heading off to bed. Into the oven they went the next morning while I got myself ready. I also slid in a large jelly roll pan of link sausage on the bottom rack during the last part of cooking to serve with the casserole. They came out perfectly and everyone enjoyed it! Thanks for saving the day with this post!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s definitely a go-to recipe of mine!
Do you think it would be OK to use cinnamon swirl bread? 🙂
That sounds delicious! But if it’s sliced bread I’d be careful because it could be too thin.
What is the best way to reheat this entire casserole? I’ve been asked to make a few for a friend and I will need to bake it the day prior to serving because she is very intimidated by anything kitchen related Lol. Thank you for your help!
I haven’t ever tried to reheat the entire casserole before. That’s a tough one. I’d be afraid that if you put the whole thing back in the oven it’d dry out. I’m not sure I haven’t any good suggestions. I’m sorry.
Is it okay to make this two days ahead and have it soak in the fridge for 48 hours?
Gosh, I’m not sure. I haven’t left it for that long, but it might be fine.
Can you use brioche or challah bread instead?
That should be fine.
Made this yesterday for Sunday breakfast. Only made half recipe. Added cinnamon to egg mixture and sprinkled some raisens on bread. Used fat free half and half instead of cream. Still had to cook about 45 minutes. It was enough for breakfast today and another day during the week.