Pumpkin French Toast Casserole Overnight Bake Recipe

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Who doesn’t love French Toast? But this dish takes it to a whole new level with cream cheese, pecans, and a super-easy make-ahead recipe. So, check out all the details below for my pumpkin French toast casserole.

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This casserole is a delightful make-ahead breakfast that combines the flavors of pumpkin pie with the comforting texture of a baked French toast.

Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy family brunch, this casserole is sure to be a huge hit with pumpkin lovers.

Prepared the night before, this easy recipe features stale bread soaked in a rich egg mixture with pumpkin pie filling, warm spices, and vanilla extract. The next morning, simply bake it until golden brown, and serve with maple syrup for the best taste.

Creating the Perfect Pumpkin French Toast Casserole

The pumpkin French toast casserole is a delightful dish that captures the essence of fall flavors. This make-ahead breakfast is perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy family brunch.

With its golden brown top and crumbly brown sugar topping, this casserole is sure to be a huge hit among pumpkin lovers.

Imagine waking up to the aroma of warm spices and pumpkin pie filling wafting through the kitchen, inviting everyone to the breakfast table.

Ingredients and Preparation

To create this delicious dish, start with good bread, such as stale French bread or white bread, cut into smaller pieces.

The main ingredient is a rich egg mixture made with whole milk, heavy cream, and pure pumpkin puree, which gives the casserole its signature flavor.

Don’t forget to add homemade pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract for that warm fall flavor. The prep work is simple: combine the ingredients in a large bowl, ensuring each piece of bread is well soaked.

Overnight Soaking for Maximum Flavor

One of the best parts of this recipe is the overnight soaking process.

After mixing the egg custard with the bread, transfer it to a greased baking dish and cover it with plastic wrap.

Refrigerating overnight allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making the next morning’s baking a breeze.

Baking to Perfection

The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and sprinkle the brown sugar crumble topping over the casserole.

Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set, creating a warm and inviting dish that is perfect for serving.

Serving Suggestions

Once baked, let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing into individual servings. Drizzle with maple syrup for the best taste, and consider garnishing with pumpkin seeds for added texture.

This casserole pairs wonderfully with a steaming cup of coffee, making it an ideal choice for Christmas morning or any fall gathering.

Variations and Customizations

There are many different ways to customize your pumpkin French toast casserole. For a creamier texture, consider adding cubed cream cheese to the mixture before baking.

You can also experiment with different types of bread or add nuts for an extra crunch.

This easy breakfast casserole can be tailored to suit your family’s preferences, ensuring that it remains a crowd-pleaser at every brunch.

Overnight Pumpkin French Toast Bake

This casserole is made with slices of good bread, such as French bread or white bread, combined with a creamy egg custard and topped with a brown sugar crumble. It’s an easy breakfast casserole that can be customized with cream cheese or pumpkin seeds for added texture. Serve it warm with maple syrup for a perfect breakfast that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf of stale French bread or white bread, cut into smaller pieces (or leave whole)
  • 1 cup pecan pieces (optional)
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk or nondairy milk
  • 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cream cheese, cubed (optional)
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (optional)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar crumble topping (recipe below)
  • Butter, Maple syrup, and/or whipped cream for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep the Bread: Cut the stale bread into smaller pieces and place them in a large bowl with the optional pecan pieces.
  2. Make the Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until well combined.
  3. Combine: Pour the egg mixture over the bread pieces, ensuring all pieces are well soaked. If using, add in the cream cheese cubes and gently mix.
  4. Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish and pour the mixture into it. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  5. Bake: The next morning, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and sprinkle the brown sugar crumble topping over the top of the casserole. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
  6. Serve: Let cool for a few minutes before slicing into individual servings. Serve warm with maple syrup drizzled on top.

Cook and Prep Times

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Nutrition Information

  • Servings: 8 servings
  • Calories: 320kcal
  • Fat: 15g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g

Brown Sugar Crumble Topping Recipe

golden-brown sugar crumble topping

This crumble topping features a blend of brown sugar and flour mixed with butter to create a crumbly texture that bakes to a golden brown. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare and can be stored for later use.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
  2. Add Butter: Add the softened butter to the dry mixture and use a fork or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Use or Store: Sprinkle the crumble topping over your desired dessert before baking. If not using immediately, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Cook and Prep Times

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: N/A
  • Total Time: 10 minutes

Nutrition Information

  • Servings: 4 cups
  • Calories: 150kcal per serving (1/4 cup)
  • Fat: 7g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 22g
Jeff Campbell
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