Name: Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup half and half; 1 cup milk; 6 large eggs; 1/3 cup (67 g) brown sugar; 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon Morton kosher salt; 1 (14-16 ounces) loaf of brioche bread, sliced in 1 inch thick & halved diagonally; 3/4 cup (98 g) all purpose flour; 3/4 cup (150 g) brown sugar; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 8 Tablespoons (113 g) salted butter; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

If you’re on the hunt for a holiday breakfast that feels like a warm, loving hug, you have to try this Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast Recipe. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish that’s rich, custardy, and topped with a crunchy, buttery streusel that’s absolutely divine. I’ve made this for Christmas mornings and trust me, once you try it, your family is going to beg for it again and again. It’s a showstopper but surprisingly easy, so let’s dive in!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this casserole the night before and bake it fresh in the morning—a huge time saver.
Luxury Texture: Using brioche bread gives the casserole a soft, rich, and buttery bite that you just can’t get with regular bread.
Crowd-Pleaser: My family goes crazy for the crunchy streusel topping—it adds the perfect contrast of texture and sweetness.
Customizable: You can easily add nuts, chocolate chips, or fresh fruit to make it your own.

A round dessert with two main layers is shown in a pan. The bottom layer is a golden-brown, slightly risen cake with some darker browned spots. On top is a crumbly, light brown streusel layer that covers most of the surface unevenly. There is a dollop of white cream in the center with four bright red raspberries placed around and on it. A light dusting of powdered sugar is scattered over parts of the streusel and cake edges. The pan sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast, easy holiday breakfast casserole, make-ahead French toast bake, rich breakfast casserole recipe, festive brunch ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast Recipe works together to create that perfect balance of custardy, sweet, and spiced. Plus, I always recommend picking a good-quality brioche and fresh spices for the best results.

Flat lay of a sliced loaf of fresh brioche bread with thick diagonal cuts, six whole large brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of half and half, a small white ceramic bowl of milk, a small white ceramic bowl filled with light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with golden salted butter cubes, a small white ceramic bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of pure vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse kosher salt, and a dollop of homemade whipped cream on a simple white ceramic plate, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast, easy holiday breakfast casserole, make-ahead French toast bake, rich breakfast casserole recipe, festive brunch ideas

Half and half: Adds richness with a bit more fat than milk, which makes the custard creamy.
Milk: I use whole milk to keep the texture smooth and full-bodied.
Large eggs: These hold the custard together and give that classic French toast flavor.
Brown sugar: I love brown sugar here for its deep caramel flavor—white sugar just doesn’t give the same warmth.
Vanilla extract: Real vanilla is a game changer, so avoid imitation if you can!
Cinnamon: Freshly ground cinnamon really elevates the flavor profile.
Kosher salt: It’s important for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the flavors; I specifically use Morton kosher salt.
Brioche bread: Go for one loaf with thick slices; if fresh, I recommend letting it dry out overnight for better soaking.
All purpose flour (for streusel): Key to building the buttery topping that crisps up beautifully.
Butter (salted, for streusel): Cubed cold butter will create pea-sized clumps that bake into a perfect crumb.
Homemade whipped cream: I always serve this casserole with freshly whipped cream; it’s the perfect finishing touch.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love playing around with this Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast Recipe, especially depending on the season or who I’m cooking for. This recipe is so forgiving, you can tweak it easily to fit your taste and needs.

Add Mix-Ins: My family adores when I toss in chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips before pouring the custard—it adds texture and bursts of flavor.
Dairy-Free Version: I once swapped half and half and milk for coconut milk, and it brought a lovely subtle coconut sweetness that pairs well with cinnamon.
Fruit Topping: Fresh berries or sliced apples with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top before baking add a fresh, tangy twist.
Streusel Adjustments: If you prefer less sweetness, reducing the streusel topping by half still yields great results—especially if you’re serving with whipped cream.

How to Make Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Your Custard Mix with Love

Start by whisking together the half and half, milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and kosher salt in a large bowl. I always make sure the sugar is fully dissolved here because that’s where the magic starts to develop. This simple blend is what soaks into the brioche and creates that rich, custard-like texture we crave.

Step 2: Layer the Brioche with Care

Grease your baking dish—my go-to is a 9×13 inch deep dish. Arrange the brioche slices so they overlap slightly and sit at a slight angle. This presentation isn’t just pretty; it helps them soak up more of the custard without getting soggy. I slice my brioche thick—about an inch—because thinner slices can fall apart or get mushy.

Step 3: Coat and Rest the Casserole

Next, ladle the custard mixture evenly over the bread. Here’s a trick I learned: let it sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature to absorb the custard fully. Even better, cover and refrigerate it overnight for a deeply infused flavor and texture that’s out of this world. If you’re doing the overnight rest, know that baking times will be a little longer.

Step 4: Start Baking Covered

While the casserole rests, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake the casserole covered (I use foil) for 25 minutes if freshly made, or 30-35 minutes if straight from the fridge. Covering helps the custard cook through without drying out the top or burning the streusel later.

Step 5: Prepare the Streusel Topping

While the casserole is baking, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon for your streusel in a medium bowl. Add cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to blend until small pea-sized crumbs form. This topping will bake golden and crunchy, giving you that contrast of textures I love so much.

Step 6: Add Streusel and Finish Baking

Once the casserole has baked covered for those first 25 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the surface. Bake uncovered for another 25-30 minutes until you see golden brown edges and bubbly custard underneath. If you’ve used a large enough dish, it will puff up beautifully but don’t be startled when it deflates a bit during cooling—that’s totally normal.

Step 7: Cool and Serve with Whipped Cream

Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes to set before serving, especially if you’re topping with whipped cream. Hot casserole will melt your perfectly whipped cream too quickly, and we want those fluffy peaks to shine!

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Pro Tips for Making Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast Recipe

Dry Your Bread Overnight: I discovered this trick when I left my brioche out uncovered a night before; it soaks up the custard perfectly instead of becoming mushy.
Use a Deep Baking Dish: My casserole puffs up a lot in the oven—triple in size sometimes! Using a 3.5 quart or larger dish prevents spillover.
Don’t Skip the Rest Time: You’ll find that resting allows the custard time to penetrate, so your casserole bakes evenly and beautifully.
Adjust Streusel Sweetness: If you prefer less sweetness, halve the streusel topping to suit your taste without losing the crunch.

How to Serve Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast Recipe

Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love topping this casserole with a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream; it balances the slight crunch and spices beautifully. Fresh berries or a light dusting of powdered sugar add a fresh zing and look absolutely dreamy.

Side Dishes

To round out the meal, I often serve it alongside crispy bacon or a simple fruit salad. The savory and fresh fruit elements complement the rich, sweet casserole perfectly. Plus, a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai is my beverage pairing of choice.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to bake individual servings in small ramekins for a personalized touch. Another fun idea is layering with thinly sliced apples or pears tucked between brioche slices for a delightful surprise inside your casserole.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for about 2 to 3 days. When stored properly, the casserole remains moist but the streusel can lose a bit of crunch, which is totally normal.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully! Just bake it as directed, cool completely, then cut into portions and freeze in zip-top bags or airtight containers. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, which helps revive that crunchy streusel crust. The microwave works too but can make it a little softer, so I reserve that for convenience over texture.

FAQs

Can I use bread other than brioche in this casserole?

Absolutely! While brioche’s buttery texture and slight sweetness make it ideal, you can substitute challah or thick slices of French bread. Just make sure to dry out the bread a bit beforehand so it absorbs the custard without turning soggy.
Can I make this casserole vegan or dairy-free?

You can swap the half and half and milk for plant-based alternatives like almond or coconut milk. Use a flax egg or commercial egg replacer as a substitute for eggs. Keep in mind this will alter the traditional taste and texture, but it can still be delicious with the right adjustments.
How far ahead can I prepare this casserole?

This casserole is perfect for making the night before—just assemble it, cover tightly, and refrigerate. It will keep well overnight, and baking it fresh in the morning yields the best texture and flavor.
What’s the best way to serve leftover casserole?

Reheat it gently in the oven to regain that golden crust, and serve with a little fresh whipped cream or maple syrup. It also pairs nicely with fresh fruit for a balanced breakfast or brunch.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Brioche French Toast Casserole for Breakfast Recipe brings everyone to the table with smiles. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a special occasion but is simple enough to whip up on a cozy weekend morning. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself, this recipe never disappoints. Give it a go—I promise you’ll be making it your go-to breakfast in no time!