Overnight Eggnog French Toast gives you a simple holiday breakfast casserole that has incredible flavor with minimal effort. You prep it the night before, let it rest in the fridge, then bake it the next morning. The eggnog adds a rich seasonal taste without extra work. Your kitchen fills with warm cinnamon and nutmeg as it bakes, and each slice comes out tender inside with crispy edges.
This eggnog french toast casserole works for busy mornings and holiday gatherings. It feeds a group and takes pressure off you so you can enjoy Christmas morning. Let the bread soak overnight to absorb the custard for a balanced texture. Serve it with confectioners sugar, maple syrup, or fresh fruit for an extra-special breakfast that’s festive and delicious. Check out a few more bread pudding recipes: Apple Cinnamon Bread Pudding, Sausage & Mushroom Croissant Casserole, Chocolate Gingerbread Croissant Bake.
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Heather’s Notes
- The overnight rest builds deeper flavor and better texture.
- Challah keeps its shape during the soak and bakes evenly. Try my recipe for Honey Challah.
- Eggnog brings built in richness and spice that simplifies the ingredient list.
- This recipe scales easily for larger groups.
- Holiday mornings should be easy and this baked french toast casserole is the perfect answer.
Ingredient List
- Challah bread – use homemade or store bought. It absorbs custard well and stays soft inside while crisping on the edges.
- Eggnog – provides creaminess and holiday flavor. The spices in the egg nog enhance the custard.
- Eggs – bind the custard and help the French toast puff during baking.
- Brown sugar – adds sweetness and helps the top caramelize.
- Vanilla extract or paste – boosts aroma and supports the warm spices.
- Ground cinnamon – gives the custard a warm spice profile.
- Ground nutmeg – pairs with the eggnog for a classic holiday flavor.
- Butter – helps prevents sticking.
Toppings:
- Confectioners sugar – for a light sweet finish.
- Maple syrup – for moisture and sweetness.
- Fresh berries – for contrast and acidity.
Subs and Variations
- Use brioche, French bread, or other sturdy bread if challah is not available.
- Swap almond extract for vanilla for a different flavor.
- Add orange zest to brighten the custard.
- Use dairy free eggnog if needed.
- Add chopped pecans before baking for texture.
Find the full printable recipe card with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions below.
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole
- Slice the challah into thick pieces.
- Grease a casserole dish with butter or cooking spray and place bread slices in a single layer.
- Whisk eggnog, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
- Pour the custard mixture over the bread, making sure each slice gets coated.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove the dish from the fridge while you heat the oven to.
- Bake in preheated oven until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
- Let it rest a few minutes before serving.
- Dust casserole with confectioners sugar or add maple syrup or fruit.
Tips for Storing
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.
- Reheat in a 350 degree oven to revive texture.
- Freeze slices wrapped tightly for up to one month.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Recipe FAQ’s
It absorbs custard quickly and maintains structure.
Up to 24 hours.
It includes spices and sweetness, which makes the custard simple.
Slightly stale bread absorbs custard more evenly.
Use gluten free brioche or challah style bread. Results may differ.
Bake until the center is set and the top is browned.
Use dairy free eggnog and a dairy free butter alternative.
More Recipes We Love
- Eggnog Bourbon Balls
- Pumpkin Challah Bread Pudding
- Greek Yogurt Custard with Fresh Berries
- Linzer Cookies
Overnight Eggnog French Toast Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 loaf challah bread, sliced
- 2 cups eggnog
- 6 large eggs
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Topping Suggestions:
- confectioners sugar
- maple syrup
- fresh berries
Instructions
- Slice the challah into thick pieces.
- Grease a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with butter or cooking spray and place bread slices in a single layer.
- Whisk eggnog, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl until smooth.
- Pour the custard mixture over the bread, making sure each slice gets coated.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or up to 12 hours.
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
- Bake uncovered until the custard is set and the top is golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Let it rest a few minutes before serving.
- Dust casserole with confectioners sugar or add maple syrup or fruit.
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Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is not guaranteed to be accurate.
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Hi! I’m Heather
I’m Heather, a recipe developer and content creator based in Vancouver, Washington. I started Farmgirl Gourmet in 2006 because I believed weeknight dinners shouldn’t be boring and gourmet shouldn’t mean complicated. I’m also the co-founder of Spiceology, so safe to say I think about food for a living. Stick around for recipes that actually make it into your regular rotation.
We gobbled this casserole right up. It was delicious.