Listen, when the holidays roll around, the last thing you want is to stand over a hot skillet flipping individual slices of French toast while everyone else is enjoying their coffee. No thank you! That’s when I pull out my secret weapon for stress-free mornings: this incredible Baked Eggnog French Toast casserole. It takes all the creamy, spiced goodness of sipping eggnog and transforms it into the fluffiest, easiest breakfast you can imagine. I swear, the richness that the eggnog adds is just unbeatable—it makes every bite taste like a celebration. It’s truly my go-to when I need to feed a crowd without breaking a sweat!
Why This Baked Eggnog French Toast Recipe Stands Out
Honestly, why are people still doing stovetop French toast for a crowd? It’s chaos! This baked version is my absolute favorite because it means I can prep it, slide it into the oven, and then go enjoy my coffee. It’s just so much less messy than wrestling with a griddle.
- You get uniform flavor because the eggnog custard soaks through every piece evenly.
- It’s perfect for holidays or big family brunches—set it and forget it!
- The nutmeg and eggnog give it a luxurious, creamy taste you just don’t get from regular milk.
If you need more quick breakfast ideas that skip the frying pan, check out how I make my fast easy crepes or pancakes recipes!
Simple Steps for Perfect Baked Eggnog French Toast
The real beauty here is the minimal hands-on time. Once you whisk up the custard—which takes about five minutes—the oven does all the heavy lifting! We let it soak for a bit, but after that, it’s just waiting until that amazing smell fills up the house. It really is the definition of an easy breakfast casserole.
Essential Ingredients for Baked Eggnog French Toast
You don’t need a huge shopping list for this treat, which is another reason I love it for busy mornings. We rely on pantry staples but upgrade them with that festive, creamy eggnog. Trust me, having the right bread consistency here makes a world of difference in the final texture.
Here’s exactly what you are grabbing at the store right now:
- You need 8 slices of thick bread. I always aim for something a little rustic or brioche-style if I can find it.
- We need 4 large eggs, whisked up nicely.
- 1 full cup of your favorite eggnog—don’t skimp here!
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for warmth.
- Just a little happy pinch: 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. This really makes it taste like the holidays.
- 2 tablespoons of melted butter to pour over the top before it bakes.
- And finally, powdered sugar for dusting when it comes out, which is mandatory!
If you’re wondering about bread, just remember the note from my longer guide on easy banana bread recipe moist delicious: slightly stale bread is your friend for soaking up liquids! It holds up better and gets that perfect internal structure.
Ingredient Notes and Substitution Options for Baked Eggnog French Toast
I always get asked about the bread situation, and I have to tell you—if your bread is super fresh, it’ll just turn mushy! You absolutely want to use slightly stale bread here. It acts like a sponge and soaks up all that wonderful eggnog custard without collapsing on you. That’s Rule Number One for any good baked French toast!
Now, if you bought that giant carton of eggnog and now you’re worried about flavor overload, don’t panic. You can totally substitute half of the eggnog with regular milk. That just dials back the intensity a little bit while keeping the richness high. For more bread talk, you might want to check out my thoughts on 4 healthy bread recipes no refined sugar if you’re looking for alternatives!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Baked Eggnog French Toast
This is where the magic happens! Since this is a baked recipe, it’s less rushing and more coordinating. It’s all about getting the bread soaked perfectly before popping it in the oven where it bakes up into this wonderful, custardy breakfast casserole. Don’t worry about getting overly fancy here; simple steps yield the absolute best results.
Preparing the Baking Dish and Bread
First things first, gotta get that oven ready! Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, or 190 Celsius if you’re using metric. Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and make sure you grease it up well. Then, just arrange those 8 slices of bread neatly in a single layer inside the dish. Try not to let them overlap too much!
Mixing the Eggnog Custard for Your Baked Eggnog French Toast
Time for the liquid gold! In a medium bowl—nothing fancy, just a normal one—whisk together your 4 eggs, the 1 cup of rich eggnog, your teaspoon of vanilla extract, and that dash of nutmeg. Just keep whisking until it looks completely combined and homogenous. You don’t want any weird streaks of egg white floating around later!
Soaking and Baking the Baked Eggnog French Toast
Now, slowly pour that lovely eggnog mixture evenly over all the bread in the dish. Make sure every single piece gets bathed! The key step is letting it soak for a full 15 minutes. About halfway through that time, carefully flip the slices over so the tops get saturated too. Once the time is up, go ahead and drizzle that 2 tablespoons of melted butter evenly over everything you see. Bake it for about 25 to 30 minutes, or just until the whole thing is set and beautifully golden brown. You can peek at my favorite way of making easy to make dump cakes for general timing tips!
Tips for Success with Baked Eggnog French Toast
Look, this recipe is nearly foolproof, but there are a couple of little things I learned over the years making this for Christmas morning that make it truly *amazing*. My biggest tip is definitely that bread thickness; if you use thin sandwich bread, it gets too soggy and loses its shape. You want thick slices, about an inch thick if you can manage it!
Also, when you pour that stunning eggnog mixture over the bread, take a moment to gently press down on the pieces that look dry. We want total saturation! This ensures every single bite of your baked eggnog French toast is moist right through to the middle. If you like diving into old-fashioned recipe goodness, paying attention to these little structural details is key!
Serving Suggestions for Your Baked Eggnog French Toast
Once this marvelous casserole comes out of the oven, shimmering and golden, you can’t just eat it plain! The recipe calls for that simple, final dusting of powdered sugar, and trust me, you must do it. It melts slightly onto the warm surface and adds just the right amount of extra sweetness.
But let’s be real, who stops there? This is practically dessert for breakfast! I always set out a pitcher of warm maple syrup on the side. It soaks right into those buttery edges beautifully. If you’re feeling really fancy, a dollop of fresh whipped cream is heavenly. If you ever need a savory counterpoint to all this sweetness, check out how I make my homemade ketchup recipe for balance elsewhere!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Baked Eggnog French Toast
Oh, if you manage to have leftovers—which is rare in my house—don’t worry about them going stale! Once the French toast dish is completely cool, you need to store it in a proper airtight container. I usually just cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
When you’re ready to eat it again, reheating in the oven is the best way to keep that nice texture. Just pop a slice onto a baking sheet at about 325°F (160°C) for maybe ten minutes. If you are in a rush, the microwave works, but only use short bursts—about 30 seconds—so it doesn’t get rubbery!
Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Eggnog French Toast
I get so many questions about this recipe once people try it, mostly because they want to know how to make it even easier! It’s honestly one of those dishes that adapts so well, whether you need a make-ahead holiday option or the best sweet bread breakfast for Sunday brunch. It’s simple, reliable, and tastes way more complicated than the five minutes of work it actually requires.
Can I make this Baked Eggnog French Toast ahead of time?
Yes, you totally can! This is a game-changer for busy mornings. You can assemble the whole thing—bread soaked in the custard and butter drizzled on top—cover it really tightly, and leave it right in the fridge overnight. Just make sure you pull it out about 30 minutes before you want to put it in the oven so it warms up slightly. If you leave it in the fridge too long (like a whole day), you might need to add 5 or 10 minutes to the baking time, though!
What kind of bread works best for Baked Eggnog French Toast?
Hands down, the best carriers for this eggnog breakfast casserole are bread slices that are at least one inch thick. Think Challah, Texas Toast, or even a slightly hardened brioche. If you only have regular sandwich bread, just leave the slices out on the counter overnight—they need to be a little dry so they don’t turn into sweet mush when the liquid hits them. This structural integrity is key!
Speaking of other surprisingly good recipes, you absolutely have to try my pistachio pudding salad sometime; it’s another unexpected hit at parties!
Nutritional Estimate for Baked Eggnog French Toast
Now, don’t look too closely if you’re counting calories, because this is definitely a treat! Because we are using rich eggnog and butter, it leans toward the indulgent side. This estimate is just a snapshot, mind you; your actual numbers will change based on how thick you slice your bread and what brand of eggnog you use.
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Fat: 12g (with 6g Saturated Fat)
- Protein: 9g
Remember those numbers are just a guide—always check your specific ingredients! For more deep dives into the sugar content of everyday foods, peek over at my article on the surprising sugar content of fruits.
Nutritional Estimate for Baked Eggnog French Toast
Now, don’t look too closely if you’re counting calories, because this is definitely a treat! Because we are using rich eggnog and butter, it leans toward the indulgent side. This estimate is just a snapshot, mind you; your actual numbers will change based on how thick you slice your bread and what brand of eggnog you use.
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Fat: 12g (with 6g Saturated Fat)
- Protein: 9g
Remember those numbers are just a guide—always check your specific ingredients! For more deep dives into the sugar content of everyday foods, peek over at my article on the surprising sugar content of fruits.
Print
Baked Eggnog French Toast
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple recipe for baked French toast using eggnog for a rich flavor.
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick bread
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup eggnog
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Arrange the bread slices in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, eggnog, vanilla extract, and nutmeg until well combined.
- Pour the eggnog mixture evenly over the bread slices, making sure all pieces are coated.
- Let the bread soak for 15 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through.
- Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the soaked bread.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the French toast is set and lightly golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Use slightly stale bread for better absorption of the liquid.
- You can substitute regular milk for half of the eggnog if you prefer a less intense flavor.
- Serve with maple syrup if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 100
Keywords: baked french toast, eggnog, breakfast casserole, holiday breakfast, sweet bread