The Best Sourdough French Toast Casserole Recipe

Sourdough French Toast Casserole is the perfect go-to recipe when you need an easy, delicious breakfast and don’t want homemade sourdough bread to go to waste

We don’t always have lots of extra sourdough bread, but when we do I never let it go to waste!  This is my go-to recipe for when I have a loaf that is starting to get dry and needs to be used ASAP.  French toast bake is such an easy casserole dish that only takes 10 minutes to prepare before baking and can even be prepped the night before and baked the next morning.  Prepping a batch of this easy French toast casserole recipe Friday evening is the perfect way to be one step ahead for weekend breakfast.

I’ve used many different kinds of sourdough bread in this recipe and they all work wonderfully.  One of the keys is that dry bread actually works better than fresh bread.  Using fresh, moist bread can yield a casserole that has a texture more similar to bread pudding – which is delicious if you don’t mind a bit of a texture difference!  So don’t let that dry bread go to waste, this modified french toast recipe is a great way to use it!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This recipe only takes 10 minutes to prep before baking, calls for simple ingredients, and can be prepped the night before so all you have to do is put it in the oven the next day, make the icing while it’s baking, pour it over top, and serve.
• You can use any kind of bread in this recipe.  Artisan bread, sandwich bread, french bread, and brioche all work wonderfully.  The best bread to use is the bread you have on hand and need to use, although a lot of people prefer brioche.
• You can get creative with add-ins and toppings.  My personal favorite is cinnamon raisin.  Blueberry lemon or any fresh berries that are in season also work wonderfully – the possibilities are endless.

In this video, I used half of a cinnamon raisin artisan loaf, chopped into bread cubes to make French toast bake – so delicious!

What You’ll Need

INGREDIENTS

French Toast Casserole

Half a loaf of sourdough bread (you can use any kind of loaf – artisan bread, brioche, french bread, white bread, challah bread…)

2 cups whole milk

4 large eggs

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 t vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Icing

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 t vanilla extract

1/4 cup heavy cream

TOOLS

small mixing bowl

large bowl (for icing)

bread knife

whisk

9×9 casserole dish

Step-By-Step Instructions

This recipe can be prepared for baking in under 10 minutes, but it is best when it sits in the fridge for at least an hour before baking.  Make overnight French toast casserole by prepping the night before and refrigerating overnight.

Prepare the Casserole

Slice the sourdough bread (at least day-old bread works best) into 1-inch cubes.   Set aside.

Add the milk, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla extract to a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine.

Place half the sourdough bread cubes in a greased 9×9 casserole dish and pour half the egg and milk mixture over top.  Then add the rest of the bread cubes and pour the rest of the egg and milk mixture over top.  Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and place in the fridge for at least an hour before baking for best results.

Bake the Casserole and Prepare the Icing

Bake in a preheated oven at 375 for 45 minutes, or until the top of the bread in the casserole is golden brown and the middle is no longer liquid.  

While the French toast casserole is baking, prepare the icing in a separate bowl.  Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese on medium-high for 2 minutes.  Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream and beat on low for another 2 minutes until smooth.

Pour the icing over the casserole straight out of the oven and serve hot with fresh fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup.

FAQ

Can I prepare this casserole the night before?

Yes. You can prepare french toast casserole the night before baking. This is the best way to do it, especially if you’ll be using crustier bread like sourdough artisan bread.  Just prepare the casserole, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until morning baking.  If you do not prepare it the night before, prepare at least an hour before baking for an even consistency.

What type of bread works best in French toast casserole?

Fresh bread is not the best choice for this recipe, at least day-old bread or preferably older somewhat stale bread works best.  Many people prefer brioche since it is very soft and moist.  But the best bread to use is whatever stale, leftover sourdough bread you have on hand that you don’t want to go bad.  The photos in this post were made with sourdough cinnamon raisin artisan bread that was several days old.

Tips

• Prepare the casserole in advance.  If you’re an early riser, prepare it early in the morning and let it rest at room temperature or in the fridge for an hour before baking.  If you don’t want to mess with early morning prep, the easiest way is to prepare it the night before and refrigerate it until baking time.
• Try different toppings and add-ins.  Fresh berries, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, and chocolate chips all make great add-ins.  Try adding orange zest to the casserole and a bit of orange juice to the icing for the perfect Christmas morning breakfast.  For Easter brunch, add grated carrots and shredded coconut to the casserole when prepping the night before, bake on Sunday morning, and top with a pecan crumb and maple glaze.
• Watch the top of the casserole.  Check the casserole halfway through baking to make sure the top is not burning.  If it is already looking golden brown halfway through, place a piece of aluminum foil on top of the dish and finish baking.

Storage

Sourdough French Toast Casserole can be stored in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for 4-5 days.

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