This Eggnog French Toast Breakfast Casserole is the best breakfast casserole for holiday mornings. With its rich custard mixture made from creamy eggnog, brown sugar, and warm spices, this dish will have your whole family gathering around the table. Topped with a buttery crisp topping and served with a drizzle of Bourbon maple syrup, it’s a great option for celebrating special occasions like Christmas morning or just treating yourself to an indulgent sweet breakfast.
If you love holiday treats, check out my Pumpkin Eggnog Pain Perdu!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Versatile: Customize it with your favorite types of bread like brioche bread, challah bread, or even croissants.
Festive and Flavorful: The custard mixture features eggnog, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon, creating warm, holiday flavors.
Easy to Make: Using simple ingredients and day-old bread, this dish is as straightforward as it is delicious.
Perfect for a Crowd: Bake it in a casserole dish, and you’ll have enough to serve the whole family.
Make-Ahead Option: Prep it the next morning or the night before to save time.
Eggnog French Toast Breakfast Casserole
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Ingredients for Eggnog French Toast Breakfast Casserole
Full ingredients, photos, and recipe in the recipe card at the end of post
For the Casserole:
- 12 slices of brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
Eggnog Custard:
- 1.5 cups eggnog
- ½ cup whole milk (or almond milk for a lighter option)
- 1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 4 large eggs
Cinnamon Sugar:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup flour
- ½ of the cinnamon sugar mixture
- ⅓ cup cold butter, cubed
Bourbon Maple Syrup:
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp bourbon
Instructions
Full ingredients, photos, and recipe in the recipe card at the end of post
Prepare the Custard Mixture
- In a medium pan, whisk together the eggnog, whole milk, bourbon vanilla extract, teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter on medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Set the milk mixture aside to cool while you prepare the bread.
Chop the Bread
- Use day-old bread for best results. Cut the brioche bread into 1-inch cubes and layer half of them into a parchment-lined baking dish.
Add the Eggs to the Custard
- Whisk the large eggs into the cooled custard mixture, ensuring it’s well combined.
Assemble the Casserole
- Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the first layer of bread.
- Add the remaining bread cubes and gently press them down.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, ensuring every piece is soaked. At this point, let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge.
Make the Crumble Topping
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, remaining cinnamon sugar, and cold butter. Blend in a blender until nice and crumbly.
- Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the casserole.
Bake the Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
Prepare the Bourbon Syrup
- In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, bourbon, and unsalted butter. Heat over low-medium heat until the butter melts and the syrup is warm.
Serve and Enjoy
- Drizzle the bourbon syrup over the casserole before serving.
- Optionally, add toppings like fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Tips for the Best Eggnog French Toast Breakfast Casserole
Make Individual Portions: For a fun twist, bake the casserole in ramekins to create individual portions.
Use the Right Bread: Soft bread like brioche bread, challah bread, or sourdough bread soaks up the custard beautifully.
Prep Ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Bake fresh in the morning for an effortless breakfast.
Customize the Flavors: Add extra cinnamon or a splash of almond or coconut milk to tweak the flavor.
FAQ
Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes! Freeze the complete recipe unbaked in the casserole dish. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
What if I don’t have eggnog?
If you don’t have eggnog, substitute it with an equal amount of whole milk or almond milk, and add an extra dash of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Can I make this without bourbon?
Absolutely! Skip the bourbon in the syrup for a kid-friendly option. The drizzle of maple syrup is just as delicious on its own.
What’s the difference between bread pudding and this casserole?
While similar, this breakfast casserole has a richer custard base with festive eggnog flavors, whereas bread pudding often has more of a dessert focus.
What toppings go well with this casserole?
Serve with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup for a truly indulgent experience.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Christmas Morning
This easy french toast casserole recipe is the perfect way to bring holiday cheer to your breakfast table. The best part is its versatility—you can prep it ahead of time, customize it with your favorite flavors, and enjoy it with the whole family. The golden brown crust, festive custard, and rich bourbon syrup make it a personal favorite for cozy mornings and special gatherings.
Try it out this holiday season, and let the delicious aroma of this easy breakfast casserole fill your kitchen!
Eggnog French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 12 slices of brioche bread cut into 1-inch cubes
Eggnog Custard
- 1.5 cups eggnog
- ½ cup whole milk or almond milk for a lighter option
- 1 tsp bourbon vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 4 large eggs
Cinnamon Sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Crumble Topping
- ½ cup flour
- ½ of the cinnamon sugar mixture
- ⅓ cup cold butter cubed
Instructions
Prepare the Custard Mixture
- In a medium pan, whisk together the eggnog, whole milk, bourbon vanilla extract, teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter on medium heat. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Set the milk mixture aside to cool while you prepare the bread.
Chop the Bread
- Use day-old bread for best results. Cut the brioche bread into 1-inch cubes and layer half of them into a parchment-lined baking dish.
Add the Eggs to the Custard
- Whisk the large eggs into the cooled custard mixture, ensuring it’s well combined.
Assemble the Casserole
- Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the first layer of bread.
- Add the remaining bread cubes and gently press them down.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, ensuring every piece is soaked. At this point, let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge.
Make the Crumble Topping
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, remaining cinnamon sugar, and cold butter. Blend in a blender until nice and crumbly.
- Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the casserole.
Bake the Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
Prepare the Bourbon Syrup
- In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, bourbon, and unsalted butter. Heat over low-medium heat until the butter melts and the syrup is warm.
Serve and Enjoy
- Drizzle the bourbon syrup over the casserole before serving.
- Optionally, add toppings like fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
WOW! This is amazing!!