French Toast Bake for Christmas Morning
There’s something magical about waking up on Christmas morning with the glow of the tree, kids bouncing with excitement, and a coffee brewing while stockings are being opened. And while I love a slow start, I also love having an easy Christmas morning breakfast ready to go… without spending an hour in the kitchen.
Enter: the French toast bake! A perfect recipe for Christmas morning, holiday brunch, or anytime I want something warm and comforting. This is the kind of French toast casserole that tastes like you spent all morning making it, but really? You prep it the night before, let it soak, and bake it while you open gifts. Truly the perfect holiday breakfast idea.
Christmas Morning French Toast Bake:
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche cut into cubes
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Topping:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish and add bread cubes evenly.
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg together.
- Pour the mixture over the bread cubes. Make sure everything is coated!
- Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least a few hours)
- When ready to bake: preheat to 350F
- Mix the streusel topping by combining butter, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon until a crumble forms.
- Sprinkle on top and bake for 45-55 minutes (depending on how crispy you like it)
- If the top of the French toast bake is getting dark, you can cover it with foil to prevent too much browning.
Why This French Toast Bake Is Perfect for Christmas Morning
This recipe has become a tradition in our house because it checks every box:
? Overnight Prep = Stress-Free Morning
A French toast bake overnight is the secret. You assemble everything the night before, let the bread soak in that sweet custard, and stick it in the fridge. On Christmas morning, you just pop it into the oven and let it get golden and delicious while you sip coffee in your pajamas.
? Cozy, Comforting, and Crowd-Friendly
A good French toast breakfast casserole always hits the spot… warm cinnamon, soft custard-soaked bread, caramelized sugar edges… it’s everything you want on a winter morning!
? Easy Enough for Busy Parents
This truly is a French toast casserole easy enough for a weekday, but festive enough for a holiday brunch. You don’t need any fancy ingredients, and it’s impossible to mess up.
? Totally Customizable
Dress it up for Christmas morning with:
- Candied pecans
- A snow-like dusting of powdered sugar
- Warm maple syrup
- Fresh berries
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon butter
Or keep it simple, it’s delicious either way.
Perfect Add-Ons for a Holiday Brunch
If you want to make your holiday brunch feel extra special, here are a few easy pairings:
- A cinnamon roll baking dish on the counter
- A fruit platter with berries + oranges
- A pan of crispy bacon
- A hot cocoa bar for the kids
- A festive coffee or espresso moment for the adults
And if you love slow, cozy winter mornings, this recipe fits right into that vibe.
My Kitchen Essentials:
a Christmas Morning Tradition
This French toast bake has become part of our simple Christmas morning breakfast routine. Right alongside matching pajamas, a candle burning on the counter and everyone crowding into the kitchen as that cinnamon smell fills the house.
It’s the kind of holiday breakfast idea you’ll make once… and immediately add to your “forever traditions” list.
Speaking of holiday traditions, have you seen my Christmas keepsake post? I’ll link the cards below.
Holiday mornings don’t need to be complicated. Real life is busy and Christmas morning goes by quickly, which is exactly why I love recipes like this. A warm French toast bake that’s already prepped, completely effortless, and perfect for sharing with the people you love most.
Whether you’re hosting a big holiday brunch, having a cozy morning at home, or looking for an easy Christmas morning breakfast, this French toast casserole is the one you’ll reach for again and again.
I hope it adds some sweetness to your Christmas morning!
What are you making on Christmas morning? I’d love to hear about it!
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