×
  • Home
  • Daily
    • Buyers Guides
    • Composting
    • Container Gardening
    • Easy Healthy Recipes
    • Food Preservation
    • Garden Design
    • Garden Tools
    • Gardening LIfe
      • Animals in the Garden
      • Funny Business
      • Gardening History
      • Gardening Humor
      • Gardening Mishaps
      • Gardening Poems
      • Gardening Romance
      • Gardening Science
      • Gardening with Kids
      • Healing Gardens
      • Joy of Gardening
      • Mystical Gardens
      • Ornamental Gardening
    • Growing Fruits & Berries
    • Indoor Gardening
    • Pests & Diseases
    • Seeds & Seedlings
    • Soil & Fertilizer
    • Spice & Herb Gardening
    • Vegetable Gardening
    • Watering & Irrigation
  • Freebies
  • Videos
  • Magazines
    • Food Gardening Magazine
    • GreenPrints Magazine
    • RecipeLion Magazine
  • Books
    • GuideBooks
    • Cookbooks
      • Beverages
      • Bakery
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizers
      • Salads & Dressings
      • Soups
      • Entrées
      • Side Dishes & Sauces
      • Desserts
    • Story Collections
    • StoryBooks
    • Recipe Collections
  • Kits
    • Garden Calendars
    • Garden Plans
    • Recipe Cards
    • Greeting Cards
    • ArtPrints
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Affiliate Program
  • Sponsor Program
  • Give a Gift
  • Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
  • Authors
  • GreenPrints Writer’s Guidelines
  • Keyword Index
  • Join
Celebrating 5 Years of Food Gardening

Food Gardening Network

Growing food, fun & more

Give a GiftJoin
Mequoda Publishing Network
  • Daily
    • Buyers Guides
    • Composting
    • Container Gardening
    • Easy Healthy Recipes
    • Food Preservation
    • Garden Design
    • Garden Tools
    • Gardening Life
      • Animals in the Garden
      • Funny Business
      • Gardening History
      • Gardening Humor
      • Gardening Mishaps
      • Gardening Poems
      • Gardening Romance
      • Gardening Science
      • Gardening with Kids
      • Healing Gardens
      • Joy of Gardening
      • Mystical Gardens
      • Ornamental Gardening
    • Growing Fruits & Berries
    • Indoor Gardening
    • Pests & Diseases
    • Seeds & Seedlings
    • Soil & Fertilizer
    • Spice & Herb Gardening
    • Vegetable Gardening
    • Watering & Irrigation
  • Freebies
  • Videos
  • Magazines
    • Food Gardening Magazine
    • GreenPrints Magazine
    • RecipeLion Magazine
  • Books
    • GuideBooks
    • Cookbooks
      • Beverages
      • Bakery
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizers
      • Salads & Dressings
      • Soups
      • Entrées
      • Side Dishes & Sauces
      • Desserts
    • Story Collections
    • StoryBooks
    • Recipe Collections
  • Kits
    • Garden Calendars
    • Garden Plans
    • Recipe Cards
    • Greeting Cards
    • ArtPrints
  • Sign In
  • Search

Overnight French Toast Bake

Cookbook: Breakfast

arrow-left Previous
Next arrow-right

Overnight French Toast Bake

A gloriously hands-off breakfast that transforms day-old challah into a crowd-pleasing feast, complete with pockets of cream cheese surprise and a crumbly streusel crown that'll make you the hero of holiday mornings.

By Addie Gundry

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
Overnight French Toast Bake

Overnight French Toast Bake

You know those recipes that come into your life at exactly the right moment? That’s how I discovered this Overnight French Toast Bake. It was during one particularly chaotic holiday season when my colleague Addie Gundry shared this gem with me. I was hosting family for Christmas, and the thought of cooking breakfast while trying to enjoy the morning’s festivities made me want to hide under my duvet.

The moment I remembered Addie’s make-ahead breakfast solution, I knew it was exactly what I needed. A breakfast that practically makes itself while I sleep? Sign me up. After that first successful holiday morning, this Overnight French Toast Bake became my secret weapon for any gathering that calls for a special breakfast without the morning chaos.

Look, I love cooking from scratch – it’s kind of my thing. But there’s something magical about a recipe that lets you do the heavy lifting the night before, especially when the results are this impressive. The genius of this overnight French toast lies in its ability to transform humble ingredients into something that feels special enough for a celebration but doesn’t require you to miss out on the morning fun.

If you have a Suvie machine (I do – comment with any questions!), you can put it in the Suvie at night and it will keep it refrigerated until your scheduled time you want it cooked. This is my ultimate life hack for sleepover mornings when I don’t want to wake up at the crack of dawn to prepare a big breakfast for a bunch of hungry kiddos!

Print
Overnight French Toast Bake

Overnight French Toast Bake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

There’s nothing better than sitting down to a made-from-scratch breakfast, but it can be hard to find the energy to do anything more than pour yourself a bowl of cereal in the morning. That’s why this breakfast recipe is so wonderful. You do all the prep work the night before and let all of the liquid soak into the challah bread overnight. Then, just pop it in the oven in the morning, and you’re all set!

  • Author: Addie Gundry
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Chill Time: 12 hours
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 13 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 12 1x
  • Category: Breakfast

Ingredients

Scale
  • French Toast
    • 1 (12- to 14-ounce) loaf challah
    • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
    • 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    • 8 large eggs
    • 2 1/4 cups whole milk
    • 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Streusel Topping
    • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes

Instructions

  1. For the French toast: Coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Slice the bread, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Spread half of the cubes into the baking dish. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed until completely smooth. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar and ¼ teaspoon vanilla until combined. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the bread. Layer the remaining bread cubes on top of the cream cheese.
  2. Whisk the eggs, milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, and remaining vanilla together until no brown sugar lumps remain. Pour over the bread. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the pan from the refrigerator.
  4. For the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter cubes with a pastry blender or 2 forks. Sprinkle the topping over the soaked bread.
  5. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until golden brown on top. (Bake it for less time if you prefer it to be softer.) Serve immediately. Cover the leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • The topping can be prepared in advance, covered tightly, and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Sprinkle over the soaked bread before baking. For freezing, prepare the recipe through step 4 and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.

Now, this isn’t your standard French toast. The overnight soak allows each cube of challah to absorb the custard fully, creating an almost bread pudding-like texture that’s crispy on top and deliciously tender inside. The hidden layer of sweetened cream cheese adds unexpected richness that elevates this from “basic breakfast” to “brunch masterpiece.”

The streusel topping? That’s the game-changer. While traditional French toast often relies on maple syrup for sweetness, this crumbly crown brings texture and flavor right into the dish itself.

As for ingredients, challah is the star here, and for good reason. Its rich, eggy nature makes it perfect for soaking up the custard mixture without falling apart. When day-old, it’s even better – those slightly dried-out slices are like tiny sponges waiting to absorb all that flavor.

The cream cheese layer is our secret weapon. When beaten with confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, it creates pockets of creamy goodness throughout the dish. Think of it as cheesecake meets French toast – a combination that’s hard to resist.

The custard mixture is pretty straightforward, but don’t skip the brown sugar. It adds a caramel note that white sugar just can’t match. And that streusel topping? It’s worth getting up for.

I have made this a few times now, so I feel like I’m at a point where I have wisdom to share. The first time I made this Overnight French Toast Bake, I learned a few things. First, don’t skip greasing the pan – trust me on this one. Also, when layering the bread cubes, make sure they’re evenly distributed. Those first few attempts taught me that uneven layers lead to some pieces being too dry while others are overly soggy.

The cream cheese portion was tricky at first. The key is having it properly softened – not melted, not cold, but truly room temperature. This makes it much easier to create those perfect little pockets of creamy goodness throughout the dish.

When done right, each bite offers multiple textures – crispy top, tender middle, and those gorgeous pockets of cream cheese. It’s richer than regular French toast but not overwhelmingly sweet. The streusel topping adds a wonderful buttery crunch that eliminates the need for syrup (though I won’t judge if you add some).

Over time, I’ve played with the recipe a bit. Sometimes I’ll add sliced apples between the layers, or swap in brioche for the challah. During berry season, a handful of fresh blueberries or raspberries scattered throughout adds beautiful color and bursts of tartness. Here are a few more pointers:

  • Use day-old bread – fresh bread won’t absorb the custard as well
  • Let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking
  • Don’t skip the plastic wrap – it needs to be airtight while soaking
  • Watch the edges during baking – if they start to brown too quickly, tent with foil
  • Let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes after baking to set up properly

Whether you’re hosting holiday guests or just want to make your weekend morning special without the work, this Overnight French Toast Bake delivers. It’s become my go-to for those occasions when I want to impress without the stress.

Give this Overnight French Toast Bake a try, and let me know in the comments how it turns out in your kitchen. I’d love to hear about your variations and morning success stories!

arrow-left Previous
Next arrow-right

Tags

blueberries, raspberries

Comments

Click here to cancel reply.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Citrus-Cranberry French Toast Bake
  • London Fog French Toast
  • French Toast Eggs Benedict
  • Cranberry Almond Bread
  • Egg-in-a-Hole with Honey & Cinnamon
  • Almond Biscotti
  • The Brown’s Hotel Inspired Fresh Baked Granola
  • Cinnamon Apple Overnight Oats
  • Apple Cinnamon Chia Pudding
  • Overnight Potato Fritatta
  • Warm Cinnamon Pumpkin Millet Porridge
  • Paprika Avocado Toast
  • Honey Sunflower Bites
  • Pepper and Potato Frittata
  • Overnight French Toast Bake
  • Southern Biscuits ‘n’ Gravy Casserole
  • Slow Cooker Breakfast Quiche
  • Berry–Oat Breakfast Bake
  • How To Make The Perfect Slow-Cooked Veggie Omelet
  • Family Breakfast Pancake Casserole
  • Cheesy Croissant Casserole
  • Ho-Ho-Ho-liday Cinnamon Rolls
  • Christmas Morning Coffee Cake
  • Ham and Biscuit Breakfast Casserole
  • Easy Banana Nut Bread
  • 20-Minute Monte Cristo Sandwich
  • 30-Minute Baked Sausage and Potatoes
  • 30-Minute Kielbasa Hash
  • Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes
  • Avocado Toast
  • Bacon and Egg Hash Brown Scramble
  • Bacon and Gruyere Quiche
  • Baked Avocado Boats
  • Baked Blueberry Oatmeal
  • Banana Chip Pancake Casserole
  • Basil-Potato Frittata
  • Berry Almond Scones
  • Biscuits and Gravy
  • Blackberry Jalapeno Jelly
  • Blazing Fast Blueberry Muffins
  • Blueberry Coffee Cake
  • Breakfast Stuffed Peppers
  • Canned Strawberry Jam (Pectin-Free)
  • Caramelized Banana Pancakes
  • Cheese & Chive Frittata
  • Cheesy Sausage Fajita Frittata
  • Cherry-Almond Coffee Cake
  • Chicken and Waffle Sliders
  • Chicken Ranch Hash Brown Casserole
  • Cinna-Vanilla Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
  • Cinnamon Apple Cream Cheese Cake
  • Cinnamon Roll Pound Cake
  • Classic Egg-in-a-Hole Recipe
  • Classic Western Omelet with Scallions
  • Cornflake-Topped Breakfast Casserole
  • Creamed Chipped Beef
  • Denver Omelet Bake
  • Easy Broccoli Quiche
  • Easy Omelet Casserole
  • Easy Overnight Eggs Benedict
  • Easy Potato Quiche Casserole
  • Easy Quiche with Brown Rice Crust
  • Elvis’ Favorite Sandwich
  • Fennel and Kale Pancakes
  • French Omelette
  • Fruit & Granola Breakfast Bark
  • German Apple Pancake
  • Gooseberry Jam
  • Grape Jelly
  • Greek Yogurt Breakfast Bark
  • Hot Cross Buns
  • Johnny Cakes
  • Kumquat Scones
  • Layered Cinnamon Roll Casserole
  • Lemon-Parsley Goat Cheese Frittata
  • Make-Ahead Bite Size Omelet Cups
  • Make-Ahead Breakfast Casserole
  • Old-Fashioned Doughnut Muffins
  • Old-Fashioned Potato Doughnuts
  • Onion and Scallion Tart
  • Orange Marmalade
  • Orange Scones
  • Overnight Cinnamon Bread
  • Pear Jam
  • Picture Perfect Pumpkin Pancakes
  • Pumpkin Spice French Toast Stick Casserole
  • Quick & Easy Blueberry Jam
  • Quick Energy Bites
  • Sausage & Scallion Eggs to Go
  • Roasted Asparagus with Baked Sheet Pan Eggs
  • Slow Cooker Cinnamon Rolls
  • Slow Cooker Monkey Bread
  • Snickerdoodle Muffins
  • Southwest Breakfast Bake
  • Spelt Porridge with Roasted Blueberries
  • Strawberry Avocado Toast
  • Strawberry Jam
  • Three-Cheese Soufflés
  • Vintage Coffee Cake

Enter Your Log In Credentials

This setting should only be used on your home or work computer.

  • Lost your password? Create New Password
  • No account? Sign up

Need Assistance?

Call Food Gardening Network Customer Service at
(800) 777-2658

Food Gardening Network is an active member of the following industry associations:

  • American Horticultural Society
  • GardenComm Logo
  • GardenComm Laurel Media Award
  • MCMA logo
  • Join Now
  • Learn More
  • About Food Gardening Network
  • Contact Us
  • Affiliate Program
  • Sponsor Program
  • Give a Gift
  • Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

Food Gardening Network
99 Derby Street, Suite 200
Hingham, MA 02043
support@foodgardening.mequoda.com

To learn more about our Email Marketing and Broadcasting Services, Exchange Program, or to become a marketing partner with any of our publications, click here to contact us at Mequoda Publishing Network.

FREE E-Newsletter for You!

Discover how to grow, harvest, and eat good food from your own garden—with our FREE e-newsletter, delivered directly to your email inbox.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Powered by
Mequoda Publishing Network
copyright © 2025 Mequoda Systems, LLC

Food Gardening Network®, Food Gardening Magazine® and GreenPrints® are registered trademarks of Mequoda Systems, LLC.