Description
This Pumpkin French Toast Casserole is a cozy and delicious breakfast dish perfect for fall mornings. Cubed French bread soaked in a spiced pumpkin custard is baked to golden perfection and topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel. Make it ahead by refrigerating overnight, then simply bake and enjoy a warm, comforting start to your day.
Ingredients
Scale
French Toast Base
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter, cold and cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and evenly place the cubed French bread inside the dish.
- Make the custard mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt until fully combined.
- Soak the bread: Pour the pumpkin custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring all pieces absorb the liquid thoroughly.
- Refrigerate: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the bread to soak up the custard.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add topping: Sprinkle the prepared streusel evenly over the soaked bread mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the center of the casserole is set.
- Cool and serve: Remove from oven and allow the casserole to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
- Refrigerating overnight enhances flavor and texture by allowing the bread to soak thoroughly.
- Use day-old or slightly stale French bread for best absorption without becoming too soggy.
- Feel free to top with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or whipped cream before serving.
- For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the streusel before baking.
- Make sure the butter for the topping is cold to achieve a crumbly streusel texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
