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We love having breakfast recipes on hand that can be prepped the night before. One of our favorite’s is today’s Texas Toast French Toast.
This breakfast recipe requires a minimum of 4 hours in the fridge, making it a PERFECT make-ahead meal, and one of our favorite ways to start the day. Prepping is a snap as well – only 10 minutes! Simply layer the soft, thick pieces of bread with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar for a sweet, gooey French toast in the morning. It’s SO good!
Pop it in the oven the next morning and let it bake! We love to top it 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 we think you’ll love it:
- An easy morning. This breakfast casserole requires chilling, so it is PERFECT for overnight prep and a simple morning!
- Top it your way. Add your favorite French toast toppings – everyone gets what they love!
- 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 French Toast Ingredients
- ½ cup butter melted – We used unsalted butter.
- 1 cup brown sugar – We used light brown sugar but dark brown can be used.
- 1 (24-ounce) loaf Texas toast – 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!
- 4 large eggs – room temperature
- 1½ cups milk – We like whole milk, but 2% works too.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar – light or dark brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon – or replace some cinnamon with nutmeg or Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened – see How to Soften Butter Quickly
- powdered sugar, for sprinkling – 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.
Texas Toast French Toast
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
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
Collections
This recipe was originally published June 2017.
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?
This is one of our family’s favorite breakfast recipes. SO easy to put together at night and throw in the oven in the morning. And, it’s SO yummy!!
Can this recipe be cut in half
It sure can! Just half the amount of all the ingredients and put everything in an 8×8 pan. Try baking it for 30 minutes instead of the 40-45 minutes that it suggests for the 9×13. If it’s not quite done after 30 minutes check on it in another 5 minutes or so until it looks done. Hope this helps!
I served this French toast recipe buffet style on Christmas morning. I included bowls fresh blueberries and blackberries on the side. The fruit cut the sweet of the casserole. This will be my new Christmas morning breakfast for when we open presents.
That’s perfect! Thank you for sharing that! What a great way to serve it!
Does it need to be covered while it is cooking in the oven?
Nope 🙂 Enjoy!!
All recipes quick and easy and good!
Thank you so much!!
I am so glad I found your website, I’m not good at the kitchen but you make things APPROACHABLE for people like me, easy enough to follow and so delicious. Thank you for sharing your gift.
Awe, you are too nice! Glad I could help! Thank you so much for saying that!
How many servings would this make
8 servings of two slices/each.
Is This Really 2,186 CALORIES? Is that for a serving or the entire pan?
Im not very good at making before school breakfasts and resort to using cereal or oatmeal a lot. I love COMING across disheS like this That can be made the night before and cooked while the kids dress and lunches are made. THANKS for sharing!
loved the French toast can you freeze the leftovers
I personally haven’t, but I would think it would be fine 🙂 We never have any left to freeze! Enjoy!
A favorite around our house is breakfAst for dinner. It almost always includes french toast. I love being able to make this ahead of time. My kids love it!
I made these for some house guests a couple weeks ago. They couldn’t get enough! These are AMAZING!!! Thanks for the recipe
I love a good Overnight Recipe! Especially when it’s as delicious as this one!
This would be AMAZING with a layer of nutella and sliced strawberries in between the two layers of bread – genius!
This was incredible! I love that I could prep it beforehand & wake up & it’s ready to bake! My kids devoured it & said they wanted it again! Super easy & tasty!
At the end of INGREDIENTs list – How much cinnamon? How much brown sugar? How much butter?
I don’t really measure the cinnamon or sugar. I just sprinkle enough to cover it & I cut maybe a couple tablespoons into very thin slices & put on top..even up to 4T
Could you tell me if you use frozen Texas toast or thaw ahead time. I really don’t like soggy breakfast casseroles, so trying to avoid that. Thank you.
This was a huge hit in our house! The only tweak I made to the recipe is that I used pumpkin pie spice instead of just using cinnamon….that made it just that much more amazing!! This recipe is a keeper.
Sounds yum!! Thank you so much for sharing that! I will have to try!
In am a little confused by the sugar too. I used a full cup of brown sugar with the butter, but then you call for a tablespoon and teaspoon sugar. Is that brown sugar or white sugar? I sprinkled brown sugar & cinnamon on my layers. I’m not sure what the tablespoon and teaspoon is all about and if that means brown sugar or regular sugar it gets kind of foggy
Wanting to make this but without Texas Toast. Will it still turn out ok woth nornal bread? Or do you have another recommendation? I live in Thailand and Texas Toast is not a thing here ????
I am sure it will. I would use a thick bread, if you could. I haven’t tried with other bread, so personally not sure how much it would change. Sorry, you don’t have Texas toast, but how fun to be in Thailand!! Whatever bread you have similar to Texas toast is what I would use. I wish I knew what kinds you have there.
This recipe is phenomenal!! Made it twice in one week.
Woohoo!! Glad you think so! Thanks so much!
Have you had atomic french toast? Because my wife concocted a brilliant twist to this recipe: Slice up two bananas and some strawberries and layer the slices between the bread layers. Then when the baking is done, put some more fruit on top plus chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
Sounds amazing! I’ll have to try that! Thanks for sharing that!
This turned out great & disappeared quickly at our Easter Breakfast at Church. The instruction to spread the butter on the top of the bread after it’s in the dish was a bit ridiculous to me. I buttered the slices before putting them in the dish. Much easier and you get better coverage. Will make again.
I’m glad it was a hit at church! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Bit confused on the last part of ingredients: brown sugar, cinnamon, 1 TB sugar + 1 teaspoon sugar. What do you mean? thank you.
Those are for sprinkling on top, so it’s how much you prefer. The sugar amount is one tablespoon plus one teaspoon. Hope that helps. Enjoy!!
I absolutely love overnight french toast recipes and this one looks delicious!
Thank you!!
What constitutes a serving? Over 2000 calories per serving sounds outrageous! I dont think that one serving would have 72% of daily calcium intake?
Looks like a winner to me, especially since you get it ready the night before! I love french toast but I don’t make it that often. Thanks for the inspiration!
French Toast is always a hit – right?! Thanks for stopping by!
These look dangerously yummy!
French toast is my go-to breakfast food when I have time. This is a great overnight recipe, and would help my morning routine.
Your recipes are always so good!
Breakfast for dinner is such a fun idea. We used to do it when my kids were little and they loved it. I might just have to start again with my husband and I. This french toast bake would be wonderful anytime!
We are ALL ABOUT breakfast for dinner – it’s just too good not to. 😉
Would you recommend brioche slices (they’re quite thick)? I don’t have texas toast in the pantry and was looking to make it for breakfast tomorrow. So excited to try this!
I personally haven’t tried using brioche, but that might work really well!
This would be perfect for a fun weekend breakfast, especially with company!
I am the opposite when it comes to breakfast recipes! But I am so excited about this one! So trying this for my daughter this weekend (just need to grab bread!)