This Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Inspired by Ree Drummond’s iconic style, this baked French toast dish is unbelievably easy to make and delivers a comforting, sweet, and utterly irresistible breakfast or brunch experience. The combination of perfectly soaked French bread, a rich custard base, and a crunchy pecan streusel topping creates a symphony of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds. And the best part? It takes just minutes to assemble, letting the oven do most of the work while you relax and anticipate the deliciousness to come.
Why This Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole Recipe is a Must-Try
If you’re searching for the ultimate make-ahead breakfast casserole, look no further. This recipe, adapted from the beloved Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is a game-changer. It’s quickly become a family favorite, perfect for everything from lazy weekend mornings to festive holiday brunches, like our own Christmas morning tradition. Alongside other breakfast casseroles, such as a hearty sausage and hash brown bake, this sweet French toast casserole offers the perfect balance for a memorable breakfast spread.
What makes this baked French toast casserole so special? It captures all the nostalgic charm of classic French toast but elevates it to a whole new level of deliciousness and convenience. The French bread transforms in the oven, becoming wonderfully crisp on the edges while staying soft and custardy inside. And that pecan streusel topping? It’s pure magic, adding a buttery, nutty crunch and a hint of maple sweetness that takes this casserole from great to absolutely extraordinary.
Forget spending your morning flipping individual slices of French toast. This casserole requires minimal hands-on time – just 5 to 10 minutes of prep – before it bakes to golden perfection. Even if you’re new to baking or casseroles, this recipe is incredibly forgiving and easy to master. For a balanced breakfast, consider pairing this sweet treat with a savory option like a classic Christmas breakfast casserole, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
A golden and bubbly serving of Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole on a white plate, with a golden spoon resting beside it, invitingly lit to showcase its delicious texture.
Simple Ingredients for a Stunning French Toast Casserole
You’ll be surprised at how such simple ingredients can come together to create such a decadent and flavorful Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bread: A 14-inch loaf of French bread is ideal, providing the perfect texture and structure for the casserole. Slightly stale bread works best as it soaks up the custard beautifully without becoming soggy.
- Eggs: Six large eggs form the base of the rich custard, providing structure and richness to the casserole.
- Heavy Cream: The secret to a truly luxurious and custard-like texture. Heavy cream adds a velvety smoothness that elevates this dish.
- Milk: Whole milk is recommended for its richness, but you can use 2% or even non-dairy milk alternatives if preferred.
- Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A combination of both sugars creates a deeper, more complex sweetness, with brown sugar adding notes of caramel and molasses.
- Cinnamon: The essential warm spice that brings the classic French toast flavor to life.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the other flavors, adding a touch of warmth and aromatic complexity.
For the Irresistible Pecan Streusel Topping:
- Pecans: Chopped pecans provide a delightful nutty crunch and flavor contrast to the sweet casserole. Varying the sizes of the chopped pecans adds textural interest.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is melted and combined with maple syrup to create a rich and buttery base for the streusel.
- Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup adds a distinctive sweetness and caramel notes that complement the pecans perfectly.
These core ingredients can also be used to create variations like a Brioche French Toast Casserole or even a Coffee Cake for a truly indulgent breakfast spread. If you enjoy sweet breakfast treats, these recipes are definitely worth exploring!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole
A clear glass mixing bowl showcasing the unmixed ingredients for French toast batter, including eggs, milk, sugar, and spices, ready to be whisked together for the casserole.
Follow these simple steps to create your own amazing Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole:
Step 1: Prepare the French Toast Batter & Bread
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish (or a similar size) generously with butter to prevent sticking.
- Slice the French bread into 1-inch thick slices. Slightly thicker slices will hold up better in the casserole. Set the bread slices aside. Crusty sourdough or French bread both work beautifully for this recipe.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until well combined. This is your flavorful French toast batter.
Step 2: Soak and Arrange the Bread
- Dip each bread slice into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s well coated on both sides. Allow the bread to soak for about 1 minute per side. This soaking time is crucial for the bread to absorb the custard and become wonderfully tender.
- Transfer the soaked bread slices to the prepared baking dish, arranging them in a slightly overlapping layer.
- Pour any remaining egg mixture evenly over the bread slices in the dish. This ensures all the bread is moistened and contributes to the overall custard texture.
A rectangular baking dish filled with uncooked French toast casserole, showcasing bread slices soaked in custard, ready for the pecan streusel topping and baking.
Step 3: Create and Apply the Pecan Streusel Topping
- Now, for the star of the show – the pecan streusel topping! In a small saucepan set over medium heat, melt the butter with the maple syrup.
- Once the butter is melted and combined with the maple syrup, add the chopped pecans to the saucepan. Stir to coat the pecans evenly in the buttery maple mixture.
- Pour or spoon the pecan streusel topping evenly over the bread slices in the baking dish. Distribute it as uniformly as possible for maximum flavor and crunch in every bite.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes covered. Covering it initially helps the casserole cook through evenly and prevents the top from browning too quickly.
- Remove the foil and continue to bake uncovered for another 20 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and bubbly, and the custard is set. The uncovered baking time allows the top to crisp up beautifully and the streusel to become nicely toasted.
- Let the baked French toast casserole cool in the dish for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly and makes slicing and serving easier.
Serving Suggestions: Serve warm as is, or enhance it with a drizzle of extra maple syrup, a dollop of butter, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar. The possibilities are endless!
Storing and Reheating Your French Toast Casserole
This Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole recipe makes approximately 8 generous servings, perfect for feeding a family or a brunch gathering. It’s so delicious that leftovers are unlikely, but if you do have any, storing and reheating is simple.
Storing:
- Refrigerator: Store leftover French toast casserole in the baking dish, tightly covered with plastic wrap or foil, or transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the casserole in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. For best results, slice the casserole into individual portions before freezing for easier thawing and reheating.
Reheating:
- Oven Reheating (Recommended): Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the French toast casserole in an oven-safe dish and reheat for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and warmed to your desired temperature. This method helps retain the texture and crispness of the casserole.
- Microwave Reheating (Quick Method): For individual slices, the microwave is a convenient option. Heat slices in 30-second intervals until warmed through. Be mindful that microwaving may slightly soften the texture compared to oven reheating.
Final Thoughts on This Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole
This Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole is truly a breakfast revelation. Its comforting warmth, delightful sweetness, and addictive flavor make it a treat you’ll want to enjoy again and again. You don’t need a special occasion to whip up this easy baked French toast casserole; it’s perfect for making any day feel a little more special, especially those relaxed weekend mornings. We hope your family loves this recipe as much as ours does!
If you try this recipe, please let us know in the comments below! And if you’re in the mood for more Pioneer Woman-inspired goodness, be sure to check out our adaptation of Pioneer Woman stuffing recipe for another taste of Ree Drummond’s culinary magic.
A hand gracefully pours maple syrup over a slice of Pioneer Woman French Toast Casserole on a plate, emphasizing the golden-brown crust and soft, syrup-soaked interior of the delicious breakfast dish.
Explore More Delicious Casserole Recipes!
If you’re a fan of the ease and versatility of casseroles, we have a wide variety of easy casserole recipes on our blog for you to discover and enjoy.
Here are a few of our top casserole recommendations:
And for even more recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram where we share new recipes daily!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread, about 14-inches long
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Cut the French bread into 1-inch-thick slices and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
- Dip bread slices into the egg mixture and let soak for 1 minute per side before transferring them to a greased baking dish.
- Pour any remaining egg mixture over the bread in the dish.
- Make the topping: In a saucepan, melt butter with maple syrup over medium heat. Stir in chopped pecans and pour the mixture evenly over the bread slices.
- Bake the French toast casserole covered with foil for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes, or until golden brown and set.
- Let the French toast casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving and slicing. Serve with additional maple syrup if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 502, Total Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0g, Unsaturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 0mg, Carbohydrates: 51g, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 0g, Protein: 12g
« Fried Polenta Recipe
Cool Whip Pie »
