Cozy Eggnog French Toast Casserole
A warm, spiced, and inviting holiday breakfast casserole featuring custardy eggnog-soaked bread with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Perfect for festive mornings and easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups cubed thick, sturdy bread (brioche or challah recommended, day-old preferred)
- 4 cups (950 ml) eggnog
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) butter, melted (for brushing and dotting)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting before serving)
- Maple syrup or your favorite syrup (for serving)
Instructions
- Cut bread into roughly 1-inch cubes. Spread cubes evenly in a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, eggnog, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until fully combined and frothy.
- Pour custard mixture evenly over bread cubes. Gently press bread down to absorb liquid. Let sit for 10–15 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Dot casserole top with melted butter.
- Bake casserole for 45–55 minutes until custard is set and top is golden brown. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Let casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use day-old bread to prevent sogginess. Let bread soak in custard for at least 10 minutes. Butter the dish well to prevent sticking. Tent with foil if top browns too fast. Room temperature eggs create smoother custard. Freshly ground nutmeg enhances flavor. For dairy-free, use plant-based eggnog and butter substitutes. For gluten-free, use sturdy gluten-free bread and adjust soak time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of casserole
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18
- Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 11
Keywords: eggnog, French toast casserole, holiday breakfast, festive brunch, easy breakfast, custard, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, holiday recipe