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Cozy Overnight Eggnog French Toast Bake

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This make-ahead French toast bake features brioche or challah soaked in a rich eggnog custard, topped with a buttery streusel, and baked to golden perfection. It’s the perfect stress-free breakfast for holiday mornings or cozy weekends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf (about 16 ounces) brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 cups eggnog
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
  • Maple syrup, warmed (optional)
  • Fresh berries or sliced bananas (optional)
  • Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut brioche or challah into 1-inch cubes. If bread is fresh, spread on a baking sheet and let dry for 1-2 hours.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggnog, eggs, milk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
  3. Place bread cubes in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour custard evenly over the top. Gently press down with a spatula to ensure all pieces are soaked.
  4. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight (8-12 hours).
  5. In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or two forks until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in nuts if using. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove baking dish from fridge and let sit on counter for 15 minutes. Sprinkle streusel evenly over the top.
  7. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until top is golden brown and center is set (knife inserted in center comes out clean).
  9. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  10. Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with warm maple syrup, and add fresh berries or whipped cream if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Use stale bread for best texture. Do not soak longer than 24 hours. Let eggs and milk come to room temperature before whisking. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free eggnog and substitute butter with coconut oil. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread and flour blend. The bake can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: overnight French toast bake, eggnog French toast, holiday breakfast, make-ahead breakfast, brioche French toast, Christmas breakfast, brunch recipe

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