Cranberry French Toast Casserole
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This cranberry French toast casserole is made with fresh cranberries and drizzled with maple syrup for a delicious holiday breakfast!
Make it ahead for a stress-free holiday morning, and enjoy a cozy, delicious breakfast that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
I have been a fan of make-ahead French toast casseroles ever since having kids. My sourdough French toast casserole recipe has always been our favorite, and this cranberry recipe is falling right in line.
Just like my chocolate chip brioche french toast, this cranberry version is very easy to make but adds a pop of seasonal flair that makes it perfect for Christmas morning!
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe
- This recipe checks all the boxes for a memorable, no-fuss dish everyone will love!
- Assemble it the night before and bake it fresh in the morning. It’s ideal for stress-free entertaining or lazy weekends.
- Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or even a dollop of whipped cream for a personal touch that fits your family’s taste.
Recipe Ingredients
- Bread: My favorite bread to use is my homemade cast iron loaf bread, no knead artisan-style bread, sourdough or brioche. Of course, French bread is an excellent choice as well!
- Butter: The butter glaze base layer is absolutely incredible!
- Brown Sugar: Brings a deep, molasses-like sweetness to the base, complementing the tart cranberries and creating a balanced flavor.
- Eggs: The eggs are essential for binding the custard together, creating a creamy and luxurious texture when baked.
- Whole Milk: I definitely prefer whole milk, though you can use skim or 2% as well. I personally think it sets up better with whole milk!
- Vanilla Extract: Not essential, and if you don’t have any, no worries, I just love a hint of vanilla in this dish.
- Cinnamon: The spice brings a comforting, holiday-inspired warmth to the filling, while a sprinkle on top adds a fragrant finishing touch.
- Brown Sugar for Topping: Creates a lightly caramelized, crunchy topping when baked, adding texture and sweetness to every bite.
- Cranberries: These tart berries bring a festive touch to every bite, making this dish perfect for the holiday season.
Topping Variations
- Pecans and Maple Syrup: Add a crunchy, nutty topping paired with a drizzle of syrup for a classic holiday vibe.
- Dried Cherries and Almonds: These pair beautifully with the custard’s creamy sweetness for a slightly tart and nutty finish.
- Caramelized Apples: Sauté thinly sliced apples with brown sugar and cinnamon, then layer them on top before baking. So delicious!
- Peppermint Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle crushed candy canes and chocolate chips on top for a festive twist. This can almost pass as a dessert!
- Orange Zest and Candied Ginger: Brighten the flavor profile with zesty citrus and a bit of spicy-sweet ginger. My husband’s favorite!
Cranberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Melt butter, then stir in brown sugar. Pour into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish or a 12″ cast iron skillet.
Step 2: Add the bread to the baking dish, spreading evenly over top of the brown sugar and butter mixture.
Step 3: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Pour the mixture evenly over the top of the bread.
Step 4: Sprinkle the 2 tbsp of brown sugar and the remaining tsp of cinnamon on top, then dot the top with fresh cranberries. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Make sure the bread is fully saturated with the egg mixture before baking. This step is crucial for achieving a soft, flavorful texture. If the bread isn’t adequately soaked, it can turn dry and hard—more like a crouton than a tender casserole!
- If the top of your casserole begins to brown too quickly while baking, loosely cover it with aluminum foil. This will protect the topping from overcooking while allowing the rest of the dish to bake evenly.
- Baking times can vary, so check the casserole at the 30-minute mark to gauge its progress. Adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the egg mixture is fully set and the bread is perfectly golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the egg mixture to set completely and makes slicing and serving much easier.
Recipe FAQs
Use day-old or slightly stale bread for the best results. It absorbs the egg mixture more effectively without becoming too soggy, giving the casserole a perfect texture.
Yes, absolutely! This French Toast Casserole is perfect for making ahead. You can assemble the entire dish the night before, cover it, and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, simply bake it as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed since it will be cold from the fridge. This makes it an ideal option for stress-free holiday mornings or brunch gatherings!
Yes, you can! Simply use a gluten-free bread variety in place of regular bread. Be sure to check the bread’s texture, as some gluten-free breads may absorb the custard differently, so you may need to let it soak a bit longer.
I store this casserole in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Related Recipes
- Cast iron quiche
- Cast iron waffles
- Cast iron pancakes
- Fried cinnamon sugar donuts
- Cast iron breakfast casserole
If you tried this Cranberry French Toast Casserole Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Cranberry French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- 9×13 baking dish or 12" cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- ½ loaf of bread cut into small pieces
- 4 tbsp butter ½ stick of butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 6 eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cinnamon reserve 1 tsp for topping
- 2 tbsp of brown sugar for topping
- 4 oz fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Melt the butter, then stir in the brown sugar.
- Pour the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish or a 12″ cast iron skillet.
- Add the bread to the baking dish, spreading evenly over top of the brown sugar and butter mixture.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Pour the mixture evenly over the top of the bread.
- Sprinkle the 2 tbsp of brown sugar and the remaining tsp of cinnamon on top, then dot the top with fresh cranberries. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes.
Notes
- Make sure the bread is fully saturated with the egg mixture before baking. If not, it’s going to be very dry and hard—more like a crouton than a casserole!
- If the top of your casserole begins to brown too quickly while baking, loosely cover it with aluminum foil. This will protect the topping from overcooking while allowing the rest of the dish to bake evenly.
- Baking times can vary, so check the casserole at the 30-minute mark to gauge its progress. Adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the egg mixture is fully set and the bread is perfectly golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows the egg mixture to set completely and makes slicing and serving much easier.
I’m making this a lot this season! Planning on zesting some oranges before drying the slices to use in homey decorating. Thank you for all of the great ideas!
Looks delicious!