Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where comforting classics get a fresh twist. Eggnog French Toast Bake soaks thick brioche cubes overnight in spiced eggnog custard then bakes with cinnamon streusel for hands-off Christmas morning magic.

Ready in 15 minutes prep plus overnight chill and bake, it serves 8 with custardy centers and crunchy sugar top.

Why This Recipe Works

Eggnog’s built-in cream, eggs, and spices create perfect custard ratio. Overnight soak transforms stale bread into pudding texture. Streusel provides crunch contrast. Shallow pan ensures even baking. Rum extract amplifies holiday authenticity.

Ingredients & Prep

French Toast:

1 large loaf brioche or French bread, cubed
8 large eggs
2½ cups eggnog
½ cup heavy cream
⅓ cup brown sugar
2 tsp rum extract
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

Streusel:

½ cup flour
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
⅓ cup cold butter

Step-by-Step Instructions

Grease 9×13 pan; spread bread cubes evenly.
Whisk eggs, eggnog, cream, sugar, rum extract, cinnamon, nutmeg.
Pour slowly over bread; press down to submerge. Cover; chill overnight.
Preheat 350°F. Mix streusel ingredients until crumbly; sprinkle over soaked bread.
Bake uncovered 45-50 minutes golden and set. Cool 10 minutes.
Dust powdered sugar; serve with maple syrup.

Flavor Variations

Variation	Key Add/Swap	Resulting Twist
Croissant	Croissants instead bread	Flakier texture
Berry	Frozen berries between layers	Fruit cobbler
Pumpkin	Pumpkin puree + pie spice	Fall fusion
Savory	Ham + cheese	Breakfast strata

Storage Tips

Fridge airtight 3 days; reheat 325°F 15 minutes.

FAQs

Bread mushy?
Stale/dry bread absorbs better; cube small.

Streusel melts?
Cold butter; don’t overmix crumbs.

Too eggy?
More eggnog; less heavy cream.

Conclusion

Eggnog French Toast Bake holiday-hugs mornings custardy perfection.

Eggnog French Toast Bake Recipe

Print Recipe

Eggnog French Toast Bake is a make-ahead holiday breakfast casserole soaking thick bread slices in spiced eggnog custard, topped with cinnamon streusel and warm maple syrup. Creamy, custardy French toast with nutmeg and rum flavors serves a crowd effortlessly.

Author: ssam
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 5 hours 10 mins (incl. chilling)
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Oven
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

French Toast:
1 loaf (16 oz) French or Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 12 cups)
8 large eggs
3 cups prepared eggnog
¼ cup heavy cream
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
2 tbsp rum or 1 tsp rum extract (optional)
Streusel Topping:
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
⅓ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Serving:
Maple syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream

Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange bread cubes evenly in dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, eggnog, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and rum until smooth. Pour evenly over bread cubes. Press down lightly to submerge. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove casserole from fridge while oven heats.
4. For streusel, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Cut in cold butter with pastry blender or fingers until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle evenly over soaked bread.
5. Bake uncovered 45-55 minutes until golden brown and set (internal temp 160°F). If browning too quickly, tent with foil.
6. Cool 10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup and whipped cream.

Notes

Day-old or stale bread absorbs custard best; dry out fresh bread in oven if needed.
Make-ahead magic: assemble night before, bake fresh morning of.
Full-fat eggnog and cream yield richest custard; low-fat works but less creamy.
Pecans add crunch; omit for nut-free or swap walnuts/almonds.
Leftovers keep 3 days refrigerated; reheat individual portions in microwave.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion
Calories: 380
Sugar: 22g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0.3g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 11g
Cholesterol: 220mg

Keywords: eggnog french toast bake, overnight french toast casserole, holiday breakfast bake