Christmas is just around the corner and we can’t wait! Many of us are planning our Christmas Day dinners along with all the events of this festive day — but what about breakfast? For a lot of us Christmas morning breakfast isn’t at the top of our list of things to do, let alone properly planned out. You may not be thinking of making something elaborate — after all that gift wrapping, you need something simple. Maybe something you prepared the night before! For us, this means one thing — Eggnog French Toast Casserole!
Overnight Eggnog French Toast Casserole
Regardless of your Christmas morning plans — whether you watch the kiddos open presents, or sleep in — this delicious casserole will keep you out of the kitchen and everyone happily fed on Christmas morning.
The Best Eggnog French Toast Casserole is perfect for special mornings just like this one. Because it gets prepared the night before, all you have to do in the morning is remove it from the refrigerator and pop it in the oven! This breakfast is an all-in-one kind of breakfast — sides are optional. If you chose to have sides, fruit, scrambled eggs, yogurt or bacon will pair perfectly.
This casserole is perfect for the holiday season. Easy to make, memorable, and super delicious!
What is Eggnog French Toast Casserole?
Eggnog French Toast Casserole is a beautiful blend of fluffy bread tossed in a sweet, buttery, brown sugar base then soaked in an eggnog mixture. It is then baked into a soft, pillowy casserole with a custardy center. It’s rich, delicious, and will likely become a new family tradition.
Even though this casserole couldn’t sound any more delicious, we decided that The Best Eggnog French Toast Casserole needs a special syrup. So we went ahead and made an eggnog syrup — the “icing on top”, if you will.
What is in Eggnog French Toast Casserole?
Natures Yoke Organic Free Range Eggs
Eggs are so important in a French toast casserole because they are the base of the entire recipe.
Eggs provide a great source of protein in this recipe and Natures Yoke Organic Free Range eggs are full of nutrition that can only come from free range, organic hens. Plus, as you enjoy your Christmas morning, you can be certain that the hens that gave you your eggs are enjoying their morning as well.
Certified Humane requires free-range hens to have access to the outdoors for at least 6 hours each day and their outdoor spaces must be covered with vegetation so the hens can nibble on plants and insects. This adds to the health and happiness of the hens and their eggs, and your Eggnog French Toast Casserole.
Certified Humane free-range hens must also have indoor spaces with elevated perches and roomy nesting boxes — neither of which are required for regular (non-Certified Humane) free-range or cage-free hens. Comfy barns for our hens gives them a safe place to roost, keep out of the elements, and lay eggs!
The Certified Humane free-range farms we choose to partner with have pasture-like outdoor areas and meet all the Certified Humane indoor requirements that reduce stress and crowding.
Eggnog
Eggnog is the leading flavor in our casserole, but it also adds to the texture. It’s important to have good quality eggnog. The eggnog you choose should be thick and full fat. We do not recommend a low-fat eggnog for this recipe.
Bread
We love using brioche bread for this recipe. It is light and fluffy, yet sturdy enough to handle an overnight soaking. However, if you don’t have brioche bread you can use a good, fluffy, sturdy white bread.
Brown Sugar Butter Base
A sweet mixture of brown sugar and butter bakes into a light syrup on the bottom of your casserole. Some might say no extra syrup is necessary, but read on before you make your final decision.
Eggnog Syrup
This Eggnog Syrup is so good, we might make it a “new normal” at the breakfast table! Can’t find eggnog year round? Try this homemade recipe! For this Eggnog Syrup we took a blend of real maple syrup and eggnog to create a rich and deliciously eggnog flavored syrup. The flavors mix perfectly, making our Eggnog French Toast Casserole even better.
Q&A:
- Can the syrup be made ahead of time? Yes, you can make it up to a few nights before to save time. Just warm it lightly when ready to serve. Syrup should be served warm, not hot.
- What do I serve with The Best Eggnog French Toast Casserole? We think this casserole is breakfast enough. However, due to its sweet nature, a savory side would be the perfect compliment. We recommend bacon, sausage or ham.
- How do I store left overs? In an airtight container in the refrigerator. Then when you are ready to eat, slice and plate your individual servings and microwave in 10 second intervals until desired temperature is reached.
- Is there a syrup alternative that would be good on The Best Eggnog French Toast Casserole? Yes, whipped cream or powdered sugar would be a great topping as well.
We’re happy to assist in making your Christmas morning as relaxing as possible, while making a new breakfast tradition in the process. Enjoy each and every single bite and know that we are wishing you and yours all the very best this holiday season.
The Best Eggnog French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 loaf brioche bread, 16 oz
Custard
- 8 Natures Yoke Organic Free Range Eggs
- 2 3/4 cups eggnog
- 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Eggnog Syrup
- 1/2 cup real maple syrup
- 1/2 cup full fat eggnog
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13 pan with oil or butter evenly.
Base
- In small sauce pan over medium heat, mix brown sugar, maple syrup and butter. Continue mixing as butter melts and mixture starts to form.
- Bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour into 9×13 pan. Spread evenly to cover the bottom of pan.
- Break bread into medium sized pieces and evenly put into 9×13 pan.
Custard
- Whisk eggs, eggnog, vanilla and spices until completely combined.
- Pour over bread. Make sure to pour the custard mixture on the tops of the pieces of bread that are sticking up. Do your best to cover all the bread.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. (Let soak no less than 4 hours.)
- In the morning pre-heat your oven to 350º F and bake for 55 minutes until center is somewhat firm. The tips of the bread will be browned. Casserole will be puffed up when removed from the oven and will deflate slightly, this is normal. If you find the tops of your casserole are browning too much lay a sheet of aluminum foil over the top loosely.
- While casserole is baking this is a good time to make your syrup.
- Once casserole is done let cool 10 minutes. Then slice and serve with syrup and butter.
Eggnog Syrup (syrup can be made the night before and gently warmed in the AM):
- In a small sauce pan, on medium heat, bring eggnog and maple syrup to a simmer.
- Simmer for 5 minutes stirring constantly.
- If serving immediately, let cool 10 minutes. This will allow for the eggnog syrup to thicken slightly. Syrup will remain fluid and pourable.
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