Holiday breakfasts don’t get better than this Eggnog French Toast Casserole! Fluffy chunks of challah bread are soaked overnight in a spiced eggnog custard, then it’s baked in the morning. It feeds a crowd and it’s so easy to make!

Eggnog french toast casserole in a baking dish.

I love hosting brunch, which always includes dishes that I can prep entirely advance. Recipes like my bacon and egg casserole and overnight french toast casserole ensure that I can enjoy spending time with my company, not flipping pancakes or making eggs to order. 🙂

I’ve been making this overnight Eggnog French Toast Casserole for Christmas morning for years.

The funny thing is, I never drink eggnog because it’s a bit too rich for me. I do enjoy the flavor, however, so I came up with this recipe for eggnog french toast to use leftover eggnog several years ago.

It became an instant favorite, especially with my boys, which is fine with me because it’s so easy to make!

To make it, chunks of tender challah bread are submerged in a mixture of eggnog, milk, cinnamon, orange zest, and eggs. It takes just 15 minutes to assemble.

The french toast is then refrigerated overnight to allow the bread plenty of time to soak up the eggnog custard.

After baking the next morning, it becomes soft and custardy like bread pudding — but you get to eat it for breakfast!

This is the perfect make ahead breakfast recipe for Christmas. Enjoy it with a dusting of powdered sugar, or load it up with whipped cream and maple syrup!

It’s also delicious topped with my festive orange sugared cranberries. 🙂

Eggnog french toast on a plate with whipped cream.
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Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Overnight french toast made with eggnog and cinnamon tastes just like the holidays!
  • This recipe requires just 6 ingredients and 15 minutes of active prep time.
  • It can be assembled the night before and baked the next morning, which is perfect when you’re hosting guests around the holidays.
  • You can keep this recipe dairy free by using your favorite non dairy milk and eggnog.

Recipe ingredients

Preparing the eggnog overnight french toast casserole requires just six ingredients. Since eggnog is already very sweet, there’s no extra sugar added to the custard filling.

  • Challah bread. My bread of choice for any French toast casserole recipe is challah because it’s so light and airy in texture. I used the crust and all, and cut it into small cubes.  
  • Eggnog. Use any kind of eggnog you like. To lighten up the recipe, use low fat eggnog.
  • Milk. Using 1 cup of milk helps cut down the sweetness. Use whatever type you have on hand, or simply substitute with additional eggnog as desired.
  • Eggs. This recipe calls for 8 whole eggs. For a lighter dish, use half whole eggs and half egg whites.
  • Ground cinnamon. Adds warmth and sweetness to the french toast.
  • Orange zest. Complements the notes of eggnog and cinnamon beautifully.
  • Whipped cream. Make a quick batch of homemade whipped cream while the eggnog french toast bakes to serve alongside.
  • Streusel topping. I’ve shared the ingredients needed to make the optional streusel topping in the recipe card below. It really takes this french toast casserole over the top with a lovely crunchy texture.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

How to make eggnog french toast casserole

This overnight french toast recipe is very easy. Prep it the night before and bake it in the morning for the perfect make ahead breakfast!

Pro tip: Stale or day old bread works better than fresh. If your challah is very fresh, consider slicing it into 1″ cubes and toasting at 350 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes before proceeding with this recipe.

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

  1. Cut the challah bread into 1″ cubes and place in a greased 13 x 9″ baking dish.
  2. Whisk together the eggs, eggnog, milk, orange zest, and ground cinnamon. Pour over the bread cubes.
  3. Press the bread down into the custard to soak, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
  4. In the morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake until golden brown and puffed in the center.
  5. Remove from heat and cool for 10-15 minutes or so before serving.
  6. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with whipped cream, if desired.
Eggnog baked french toast in a baking dish with slice missing.

Recipe FAQs

Does this recipe contain alcohol?

Most store bought cartons of eggnog are alcohol free, but double check the ingredients list of your eggnog to ensure it doesn’t contain alcohol.

Can the challah bread be substituted?

Yes, you can also use French bread or brioche to make this eggnog infused french toast bake.

How can you tell when french toast casserole is done?

You’ll know it’s ready to come out of the oven when the top is a gorgeous golden brown and the center has puffed up slightly.

Serving suggestions

Round out your holiday breakfast feast by serving the french toast with one or more of the following:

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip: Prep the bread up to a few days in advance. This recipe is great for stale bread! You can also prepare the streusel topping the night before when you assemble the french toast, but store it in a separate container. Sprinkle the streusel over the french toast just before baking!
  • No sweetener has been added to this eggnog French toast as the eggnog provides plenty sweetness. Add sweetener as desired, or serve with maple syrup and/or whipped cream.
  • Leftover eggnog french toast casserole keeps in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.
  • Try topping your french toast with whipped cream or maple syrup!
Serving of eggnog french toast on a plate with fork digging in.

More holiday breakfast recipes you’ll love

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Eggnog french toast casserole in a baking dish.

Eggnog French Toast Casserole

Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Additional Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 15 minutes
Eggnog french toast casserole is assembled at night and baked the next morning. Tender chunks of challah bread bake in an eggnog infused custard for an unforgettable breakfast that's perfect for the holidays!
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Ingredients

For the french toast

  • 16 ounce loaf challah bread cut into 1" cubes; see note 1
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups eggnog
  • 1 cup milk sub with additional eggnog if desired
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest

Optional streusel topping:

  • 1/2 cup pecan pieces
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • Homemade whipped cream for serving; optional

Instructions 

  • Grease a 13×9" baking pan with cooking spray. Place the cubed bread evenly into the dish.
    16 ounce loaf challah bread
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, eggnog, milk, orange zest and cinnamon until well incorporated. Pour the eggnog mixture over the bread, then press the bread down into the liquid. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
    8 large eggs, 2 cups eggnog, 1 cup milk, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • In the morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the French toast from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap.
  • Place the pecans, brown sugar and butter in a small bowl and mix until combined, then sprinkle over the top of the french toast.
    1/2 cup pecan pieces, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • Bake in the middle rack of your oven for 50 minutes to one hour, or until golden brown and puffed in the center. If the French toast browns to quickly, cover it with foil while it continues to bake.
  • Cool on a wire rack 10-15 minutes before serving. Cut into squares and serve with maple syrup or whipped cream. Enjoy!
    Homemade whipped cream

Notes

  1. Pro tip: Prep the bread up to a few days in advance. This recipe is great for stale bread! Sub the challah with French bread or brioche as desired.
  2. Total time above includes 8 hours for the French toast to soak overnight.
  3. No sweetener has been added to this eggnog French toast as the eggnog provides plenty of sweetness.
  4. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar, maple syrup and/or homemade whipped cream. Orange sugared cranberries make it extra festive as well!
  5. Leftover eggnog french toast casserole keeps in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 255mg, Sodium: 334mg, Potassium: 279mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 570IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 203mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Marcie
All recipes and images © Flavor the Moments.
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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