If you’re searching for a breakfast that’s both decadent and incredibly easy, look no further than this Overnight French Toast Casserole Pioneer Woman style. Inspired by the queen of comforting home cooking, Ree Drummond, this recipe takes the classic French toast to a whole new level of deliciousness and convenience. Imagine waking up to the aroma of cinnamon and maple syrup, knowing that a warm, crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole is ready to be baked to golden perfection. This is not just any French toast casserole; it’s a Pioneer Woman-inspired masterpiece that will become a family favorite, perfect for lazy weekend mornings, holiday brunches, or any special occasion.
Why This Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole is a Game Changer
This recipe is more than just a breakfast; it’s a stress-free solution for feeding a crowd. What sets this overnight French toast casserole apart?
- Make-Ahead Magic: The beauty of this recipe lies in its overnight preparation. Assemble it the night before, let it sit in the refrigerator, and bake it fresh in the morning. This makes it ideal for busy mornings or when you’re hosting guests.
- Pioneer Woman Inspiration: Ree Drummond’s recipes are known for their generous portions, comforting flavors, and straightforward instructions. This casserole embodies all of those qualities, delivering a hearty and flavorful breakfast that everyone will love.
- Unbelievably Delicious: Thick slices of French bread soak up a rich and creamy custard, baking into a casserole that’s both crispy on the edges and wonderfully soft in the center. The pecan streusel topping adds a delightful crunch and nutty sweetness that elevates this dish to gourmet status.
- Minimal Prep Time: Despite its impressive taste, this Pioneer Woman French toast casserole requires only about 5-10 minutes of active prep time. The oven does the rest, allowing you to relax and enjoy your morning.
- Crowd-Pleasing Guarantee: This recipe is designed to feed a family or a brunch gathering. It’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making it perfect for holidays, family reunions, or any time you need to impress.
A plate with a serving of french toast casserole with a golden spoon sitting next to it.
Key Ingredients for Your Overnight French Toast Casserole
To create this overnight French toast casserole Pioneer Woman style, you’ll need simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create something truly special:
- Bread: A loaf of day-old French bread is ideal. Its sturdy texture is perfect for soaking up the custard without becoming soggy. You could also use sourdough or even challah bread for variations in flavor and texture.
- Eggs: Six large eggs are the base of the rich custard, providing structure and richness to the casserole.
- Heavy Cream & Milk: This combination creates the perfect creamy custard. Heavy cream adds richness, while milk lightens it slightly, ensuring the casserole isn’t overly dense. Whole milk is recommended, but you can use 2% or even non-dairy milk alternatives.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A blend of sugars adds depth of sweetness. Brown sugar contributes a molasses-like flavor, while granulated sugar provides classic sweetness.
- Cinnamon & Vanilla Extract: These are the essential flavor enhancers for French toast. Cinnamon provides warmth and spice, while vanilla extract adds a touch of aromatic sweetness.
- Pecans: Chopped pecans are the star of the streusel topping, adding a delightful nutty crunch and flavor. You can substitute with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is used in both the casserole and the topping, adding richness and flavor.
- Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is essential for the streusel topping, providing a natural sweetness and wonderful maple flavor that complements the pecans and cinnamon perfectly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Overnight French Toast Casserole
Making this overnight French toast casserole is surprisingly easy. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Prepare the French Toast Batter (and Make it Overnight-Friendly!)
- Prep the Bread: Slice your French bread into 1-inch thick slices. Slightly stale bread works best as it absorbs the custard better. Arrange the bread slices in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. You can arrange them in a single layer or slightly overlapping.
- Whisk the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until well combined. Ensure the sugars are dissolved into the liquid.
- Soak the Bread (Overnight Option Here!): Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread to ensure it’s submerged in the custard.
- For Overnight Casserole: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, resulting in a richer and more flavorful casserole.
- For Baking Immediately: Let the bread soak in the custard for at least 30 minutes at room temperature before baking.
A mixing bowl with unmixed french toast batter ingredients.
Step 2: Create the Pecan Streusel Topping
- Melt Butter and Maple Syrup: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the maple syrup. Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is combined.
- Add Pecans: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped pecans, ensuring they are fully coated in the butter and maple syrup mixture.
Step 3: Bake Your French Toast Casserole
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). If you refrigerated the casserole overnight, let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes while the oven preheats.
- Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle the pecan streusel topping over the soaked bread in the baking dish.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and set. A knife inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the overnight French toast casserole cool in the dish for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows it to set slightly and makes it easier to serve.
Image: An unbaked French toast casserole in a baking pan, ready for the oven, showcasing the bread slices soaked in batter and awaiting the pecan streusel topping.
Serving and Storing Your Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole
This overnight French toast casserole Pioneer Woman recipe is delicious on its own, but you can elevate it further with these serving suggestions:
- Syrup: Serve with extra warm maple syrup for drizzling over each slice.
- Fresh Fruit: Berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries add a fresh and vibrant contrast to the richness of the casserole. Sliced bananas or peaches are also great options.
- Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream adds extra indulgence.
- Butter: A pat of butter melting on top of a warm slice is always a welcome addition.
- Powdered Sugar: A dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance and sweetness.
Storing Leftovers:
- Refrigerator: Store leftover French toast casserole in an airtight container or covered baking dish in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze individual slices or the entire casserole in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating Instructions:
- Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Reheat the casserole in a baking dish for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Cover with foil if it starts to brown too quickly.
- Microwave: For individual slices, microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Image: An overhead shot of the French toast casserole just before baking, generously topped with pecan streusel, highlighting the homemade and inviting nature of the dish.
Final Thoughts: Your New Go-To Breakfast Casserole
This overnight French toast casserole Pioneer Woman recipe is truly a winner. It combines the comforting flavors of classic French toast with the ease of a make-ahead casserole, all inspired by the trusted recipes of Ree Drummond. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or simply want to treat your family to a delicious weekend breakfast, this recipe is sure to impress. The combination of the creamy custard, soft bread, and crunchy pecan topping is irresistible. Prepare it the night before and wake up to the promise of a warm, delightful breakfast that will make any morning feel special. Don’t be surprised if this becomes your new go-to breakfast casserole recipe!
We hope you enjoy making and sharing this overnight French toast casserole. Let us know in the comments below how yours turned out and what variations you tried! And if you are looking for more easy and delicious casserole recipes, be sure to check out our other breakfast and brunch ideas!
A plate with a serving of french toast casserole. A hand is pouring maple syrup over it.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread, about 14-inches long
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Cut the bread into 1-inch-thick slices and set aside.
- Whisk eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
- Add bread slices into the milk mixture and let them soak for 1 minute before transferring them to a baking dish.
- Pour over any remaining egg mixture on the bread.
- Make the topping: in a saucepot, melt butter with maple syrup. Stir in pecans and pour the mixture over the bread slices.
- Bake the french toast, covered for 20 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for another 20 minutes.
- Let the french toast rest for 10 minutes before serving and slicing. Serve the french toast with some more syrup on top.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 serving Amount Per Serving: Calories: 502Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 12g
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