Eggnog French Toast Bake with Caramel
This Eggnog French Toast Bake with Caramel is an easy, make-ahead holiday recipe. Filled with fluffy bread that is soaked overnight in a mixture of eggnog and spices, this casserole bakes up warm and golden. Bursting with cozy flavors, it’s the best Christmas breakfast!
When the holiday season rolls around, I go into a Christmas movie overdrive.
I’ve watched Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, Prancer, and Elf more times than I care to admit over a single holiday season. And that’s just naming a few.
I love those cheesy Lifetime and Hallmark Channel movies (please don’t judge), and always tune in to ABC Family Channel if a good movie is showing.
And Christmas music? I listen to that before Thanksgiving. There’s a radio station in my area that will start playing Christmas music 24/7, through Christmas day, and that starts about two weeks before Thanksgiving. So I get my fill of “All I Want For Christmas” and “Santa Baby.”
What can I say? Since I work from home and am either sitting in front of my computer or whipping up goodies in the kitchen, I love to have some background noise to entertain me.
But when I tasted this Eggnog French Toast Bake, all thoughts of Christmas movies left my mind and it was just me and this delicious dish. That’s right, this breakfast launched me into a savory and sweet state of mind.
What Makes This Eggnog French Toast Bake So Fantastic
- This eggnog french toast casserole is a favorite of mine. It’s deliciously sweet, comforting, and full of festive flavors.
- It makes the perfect Christmas day breakfast. Simply prepare this dish the night before and pop it in the oven in the morning.
- The top is swirled with caramel, which gives it an extra special touch of sweetness and warmth.
What’s in Eggnog French Toast Bake?
This is such an easy french toast bake with a short ingredients list! Here’s what you’ll need for this overnight french toast bake:
- French bread
- Eggs
- Eggnog
- Heavy whipping cream
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla bean paste (or extract)
- Cinnamon and nutmeg
- Caramel sauce
How To Make Eggnog French Toast Bake
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In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients except the bread and caramel. Set aside.
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Place 1/2 of the bread cubes on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with 1/4 cup of caramel sauce. Add the rest of the bread cubes on top.
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Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes. Lightly press down on the bread to ensure that each piece is saturated.
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Cover the dish with plastic wrap and/or a lid and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
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When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
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Remove the plastic wrap and/or cover and top with 1/4 cup caramel sauce.
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Bake until bread is firm and no more liquid remains.
Recipe Variations
- Add a little crunch to this recipe by placing 1/2 cup chopped nuts in the middle layer with the caramel! Pecans or hazelnuts would work well.
- Lighten this dish up a bit by using reduced fat eggnog and half and half instead of heavy whipping cream.
- Try different types of bread! A brioche bread would work well, or challah bread.
What’s the Best Bread for French Toast Bake?
I recommend using a day-old loaf of French bread for this recipe. Otherwise, I bet Challah or brioche would work too.
Can I Prep This French Toast Casserole in Advance?
Yes, the eggnog french toast bake can be prepped 3 hours in advance, or it can be left to soak in the fridge overnight.
Tips for Making an Overnight French Toast Bake
- If the caramel sauce is too thick to pour over the bread, warm it slightly in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish, then try pouring it.
- Whisk the eggs together first before putting in the other ingredients. Then you’ll know how well they’re combined, otherwise the other ingredients will mask any larger egg pieces.
- Let the dish warm up for 10 to 15 minutes when taking it out of the refrigerator and before putting it in the oven. Otherwise you run the risk of cracking your dish due to the sudden change in temperature.
One bite of this Eggnog French Toast Bake with Caramel and you will have found your new favorite breakfast. Filled with warm and cozy flavors, this dish is perfect to serve for your family and friends over the holidays!
Looking for more Christmas breakfast ideas? I’ve got you covered!
- French Toast Roll Ups
- Blueberry Lemon French Toast Bake
- Baked Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Sticks
- Cinnamon French Toast Cups
- Banana Caramel French Toast Bake
- Pumpkin Spice French Toast
Eggnog French Toast Bake with Caramel
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread, , cut into cubes
- 6 eggs
- 2 cups eggnog
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste, (or vanilla extract)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup caramel sauce, , divided
Instructions
- Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, eggnog, heavy whipping cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Place 1/2 of bread cubes on bottom of baking dish. Top with 1/4 cup of caramel sauce. Add rest of bread cubes on top.
- Pour egg mixture over bread, making sure to cover each piece with the mixture. Lightly press down on bread to ensure that each piece is saturated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375F.
- Remove cover and top with 1/4 cup caramel sauce.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until bread is firm and no more liquid remains. Remove from oven and top with extra caramel sauce, if desired.
Notes
I love this french toast! sounds just perfect for the Holidays!
Thanks, Manali!
I do love the Christmas music, but our local radio station started airing it 24/7 on November 11th. I mean, that was crazy early. It made me into a grinch! 🙂
This looks like the best holiday breakfast!
I think that’s when my radio station did, too. And I swear they did it even earlier last year! Thanks for the french toast love, Mir!
I’ve been listening to Christmas music for ages too, Gayle! 🙂
This breakfast looks incredible. Such a great combination of holiday flavors!!
There’s just something about Christmas music that puts me in a great mood! Thanks for the kind words, Blair!
Looks delicious Gayle 😀 I’ve not had french toast in absolutely ages! This looks rich and full of yummy flavours. Perfect breakfast for Christmas day 🙂
Thank you, Nadia! It really makes such a delicious breakfast!
Gayle – This would be a perfect breakfast for the holiday season. My mom and grandmother try to stay away from sugar, so using Splenda in this recipe would definitely attract them! I’m such a Christmas movie/music fan as well. We have a radio station in CT that plays Christmas music all day, and I always listen to it. As for Christmas movies, we’ve watched “The Grinch”, “Christmas with the Kranks”, and “Just Friends”.
Thanks for the kind words, Erin! I love that this bake uses Splenda! And I’ve been listening to Christmas music non-stop, too. There’s also a radio station in my area that plays Christmas music 24/7. and that started two weeks before Thanksgiving! 🙂
Yay for all the Christmas movies!
I love that you have combined eggnog and caramel together, and even better when it is in a French toast bake. Great recipe Gayle!
Thank you, Dannii! Eggnog and caramel make such a delicious combo!
Only so many weeks left of non-stop Christmas music, so we have to get it all in!!! 🙂 This looks perfect for breakfast! I love the “holiday” eggnog in it and it looks so dreamy! I am up for some right about…….. now 🙂
I’m in Christmas music overdrive right now, it’s SO wonderful! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, Taylor!
I am all about this French toast made with eggnog! You just reminded me, I haven’t even had a glass of my seasonal favorite! Now you’ve given me the reminder I needed as I head out for groceries, today! Thanks! Looks amazing! And I can imagine the aroma as it bakes! 🙂
Thank you, Annie! This smelled amazing when it was baking!
Caramel AND eggnog in my breakfast french toast?? Well, twist my arm why dontcha….Seriously trying to control my french toast craving right now! This bake has absolutely got to happen this weekend!
Thanks, Sarah! Caramel and eggnog combined into one is so delicious!
Oh Gayle – you have just created our Christmas morning breakfast! This is PERECT!
Thanks for the french toast love, Kate!
Wow, what a decadent brekfast! Perfect for this time of year!
Thank you, Kelly!
If I worked from home and had this in front of me, things would be very, very dangerous! It sounds delicious 🙂
Haha it was SO dangerous, Sues! I gave it to my in-laws because I just couldn’t control myself around this! 🙂
Those Christmas movies are the best and this french toast bake would be perfect to enjoy while listening to some Christmas music! I love the caramel and eggnog flavors and that you lightened it up with Splenda! That means room for more 🙂
Thanks, Kelly! Yes, definitely room for more! 🙂
I love turning on ABC Family to see what Christmas show is on at the moment — I’m such a sucker for Christmas movies! I also love baked french toast, and this sounds so delicious with the caramel and eggnog! Since it’s lightened up, I get to eat more too. 🙂
Christmas movies are the best! Thanks for the kind words, Marcie!
haha no judging – I definitely watched a few hallmark holiday movies this past weekend! I need to get on all those others though!! This weekend definitely. And this french toast bake looks amazinggg.
Thank you, Ashley! Christmas movies are the best!
I love Christmas movies and music! Watched a couple last weekend! This bake looks perfect! Love the flavors and this sugar blend is awesome!
Thanks, Mira!
This looks absolutely incredible! Are you sure this isn’t for dessert? Yum!
http://purrfectlyinspired.com
Haha this could totally count as dessert, Aria! 🙂 Thanks!
Just call it bread pudding and you have an easy way to cheat on dessert! 🙂
Yes! Thanks, Aria!
Gayle, there ain’t nothing wrong with cheesy Christmas movies or cheesy tv channels that play said movies!! I’m guilty of watching them too! Loooove this french toast bake!! Egg nog and caramel flavors? Yesss! Plus this can be made ahead? Girlfriend, this dish is bomb! Pinned! Cheers, dear!
Thanks for the french toast love and pin, Cheyanne!
Oh my! This is the ultimate french toast for Christmas! I love that you used eggnog in it, what a fun idea. It may be dinner time, but I’m so craving a slice of this right now 😉
Thanks, Danielle!
Caramel and eggnog sound amazing!
It makes the best combo, Medha!
I listen to Christmas music all day long with my girl! I think she must start singing along any day now, haha! I love this french toast bake, Gayle! Caramel and eggnog? Yum!
Christmas music always puts me in such a good mood! Thanks for the french toast love, Nora!
I have also been in Christmas movie over drive! This french toast bake sounds so good! I love make ahead anything, but a make ahead Christmas morning breakfast sounds perfect.
Thanks for the kind words, Keri!
This is seriously the perfect holiday breakfast. I love cooking and eating stuff like this when the whole family is together around Christmas time :). Thanks for the great recipe! Pinned :).
Thanks, Annie!
Wow, this french toast bake looks AMAZING Gayle!! So festive 🙂 this would be a perfect Christmas morning breakfast.
Thanks for the french toast love, Rachel!
Gayle, I LOVE this!!! An eggnog flavored breakfast bake or french toast bake is a must for the holidays!!!!
Thanks, Alice!
I’ve been doing the same thing and binge watching so many Christmas movies! But wait, how do I not know the movie Prancer? I need to look for it! These eggnog french toast bake sounds delicious. Perfect for Christmas morning : )
You NEED to watch Prancer! It’s the cutest movie from the late 80s! 🙂 Thanks for the french toast love, friend!
This French Toast Bake is the perfect thing for Christmas morning! I love how it’s lightened up, too. On a side note, is it weird that I have not watched ONE Christmas movie?! What am I, a grinch?? I feel like I need to get on that ASAP. Lol.
Haha you definitely need to start watching some movies before it’s all over! 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, friend!
This is the perfect Christmas morning breakfast!
Thanks, Jessica!
how much real sugar can be use to replace SPLENDA ???
my husbands doctor said he cannot use SPLENDA
PLEASE send to my email address
This is such a good Idea, we watch sugar quantities use in our house cause my husband is diabetic. But I am sure anyone can fall in love with this dish! love this!
Thank you, Gaila! This is a hit in my household around the holidays!