Texas Toast French Toast is one of our favorite make-ahead breakfast bakes because it’s sweet, buttery, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Thick slices of Texas toast are layered with a brown sugar butter mixture, cinnamon sugar, and a simple egg custard, then chilled overnight before baking.
We love this for holidays, brunch, weekends, and company because most of the prep is done the night before. Bake it until golden, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve warm with Buttermilk Syrup and some fresh strawberries, but feel free to add your favorites (Nutella, Whipped Cream, the possibilities are endless).
For more French toast recipes try our Pound Cake French Toast, French Toast Sticks, or Crème Brulee French Toast.
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- An easy morning. This breakfast casserole requires chilling, so it is PERFECT for overnight prep and a simple morning!
- Feeds the family. It’s an easy way to whip up enough to feed everyone with minimal effort. There’s no slaving over a griddle here!
- Texas toast soaks up the custard. Thick bread holds the egg mixture well without falling apart.
- Overnight chilling adds flavor. Letting it rest gives the bread time to absorb the custard and cinnamon sugar.
Texas Toast French Toast Ingredients
- Butter, melted (½ cup): Mixes with brown sugar to create a sweet, buttery layer on the bottom of the pan.
- Brown sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the base and adds caramel-like flavor.
- Texas toast, with crust trimmed off, optional (1 loaf, 24 ounces): Creates thick, soft layers that soak up the custard. Leave the crust on, but crust-free toast looks prettier. Texas Toast is found in the bread aisle. Do not use seasoned frozen Texas Toast. Brioche bread and Sourdough bread also work too!
- Eggs (4): Helps the custard set and hold the casserole together.
- Milk (1½ cups): Adds moisture and creates the French toast custard.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds sweet, warm flavor.
- Brown sugar (4 tablespoons): Mixes with cinnamon for the sweet topping between layers.
- Cinnamon (3 teaspoons): Adds warm spice and classic French toast flavor.
- Butter, softened (4 tablespoons): Spreads over the bread to add richness and help the top bake up golden.
- Powdered sugar, for sprinkling: Adds a pretty sweet finish before serving.
- Optional toppings: Top with fresh berries like blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, and Homemade Whipped Cream.
- Optional syrup: Maple Syrup or Buttermilk Syrup
How to Make Texas Toast French Toast
STEP 1. PREP. Melt butter. Add brown sugar and mix well. Pour this mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
STEP 2. Add a single layer of Texas toast and cut the toast as needed to fit the pan. In a small bowl mix 4 tablespoons brown sugar and 3 teaspoons cinnamon. Set aside.
STEP 3. LAYER. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, and vanilla. Pour half of the egg mixture over the Texas toast and sprinkle half of the brown sugar and cinnamon on top. Add another layer of Texas Toast, cutting the slices to fit as needed. Spread a thin layer of butter over the bread.
- Top with the remaining egg mixture and the remaining cinnamon & sugar mixture.
STEP 4. CHILL. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours before baking. BAKE. Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Top it with maple syrup, buttermilk syrup, whipped cream, jams, or fresh fruit.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Trim the crusts if you want a softer, more uniform casserole texture.
- Cut the Texas toast as needed so the bread fits snugly in the 9×13 dish.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over each layer so all the bread soaks well.
- Chill at least 4 hours, but overnight is best for the most flavor and texture.
- Make-ahead tip: assemble the casserole the night before, refrigerate overnight, then bake in the morning.
Texas Toast French Toast Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 (24-ounce) loaf Texas toast, with crust trimmed off, optional
- 4 eggs
- 1½ cups milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- powdered sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Melt butter. Add brown sugar and mix well. Pour this mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Add a layer of Texas toast and cut the toast as needed to fit the pan. In a small bowl mix 4 tablespoons brown sugar and 3 teaspoons cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla.
- Pour half of the egg mixture over the Texas toast and sprinkle half of the brown sugar & cinnamon on top.
- Add another layer of Texas Toast. Spread a thin layer of softened butter over the bread.
- Top with the remaining egg mixture and the remaining cinnamon & sugar mixture.
- Refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours before baking.
- Bake at 350°F for 40-45 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Notes
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- Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard more evenly than fresh bread.
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- You can leave the crust on, but crust-free looks prettier.
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- Avoid very soft or delicate breads that may fall apart during soaking or baking.
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- This casserole bakes best in a glass or ceramic baking dish.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard more evenly than fresh bread. We like to let it sit out all day to become more stale.
- You can leave the crust on, but crust-free looks prettier.
- Avoid very soft or delicate breads that may fall apart during soaking or baking.
- This casserole bakes best in a glass or ceramic baking dish.
Recipe FAQ
Prepare as directed cover with plastic and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before baking. You can also cover it again with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and set on the counter for about 30 minutes before baking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container(s) in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freezer for 2-3 months. Reheat in the microwave.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Bacon in the Oven
23 mins
Breakfast Egg Cups
26 mins
Breakfast Potatoes Recipe
30 mins
Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
1 hr 20 mins
More French Toast
Pound Cake French Toast
15 mins
Eggnog French Toast
25 mins
Creme Brulee French Toast
35 mins
Brioche French Toast
25 mins
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This recipe was originally published June 2017.
Love using this to feed a crowd
It is one of my favorites to use as well.
I discovered this a few years back from your page and it is a Christmas morning tradition at this point. Its so good.
how to make in an 8×8 pan????
I would just cut the recipe/measurements in half and it should work for an 8×8.
very good. It served 6 adults but I also had a baked omelet with it. Bread did not get soggy. It took so long to brush the egg on the slices so for the final layer I dipped the bread in the egg batter both sides and it was fine. Took Less time. Will make it again so easy and good.
Thanks for sharing what you did! I’m glad you all enjoyed the french toast!
I am making this recipe right now, but I noticed that there is not instructions for how to make the final cinnamon sugar topping. Could you please share how much of each ingredient we use in order to make the topping?
It looks like the ingredient list is missing the measurement for the cinnamon sugar mixture. It should say “1 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon”… we’ll get it updated. Thanks for catching that! Hope the french toast turned out delicious!
Can I use regular loafed bread instead of Texas toast? Or would it be to soggy? Thank you for the feedback before I attempt this. The recipe
sounds amazing and easy!
You can… I’d suggest letting the bread dry out a bit before using. Because depending on the brand/type, it could run the risk of sogging up a bit.
I am sure it is FANTASTIC! However, there is WAY TOO MUCH SUGAR in this recipe. And all six kiddos will become
totally addicted to sugar (which is even more addictive than heroin..
Calm down Karen, it’s not that serious! It’s only French toast. 🤦♀️ lol
Don’t make this more than it is!
Thanks for the feedback. We certainly like to eat a variety of foods… moderation in all things, right? 🙂 You could adjust the sugar content for your liking as well. It would obviously alter the flavor a bit, but might still be delicious. You’ll have to let us know how it turns out if you reduce the sugar.
How many slices of bread are used?