This pecan french toast casserole is a must-try! Made with brown sugar and pecan topping, it's a delicious baked French toast casserole perfect for special mornings.
Those weekend mornings at our favorite brunch spots used to be our tradition. But as life got busier, those outings became harder to manage. Instead of getting sad over missing our breakfast morning trips, I decided to bring our favorites home. This pecan praline French toast casserole is my answer to serving something special without missing precious moments with family—bringing that cafe-quality breakfast right to your kitchen.
Rich custard-soaked bread is topped with maple pecan praline that caramelizes in the oven, while warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla create an irresistible aroma that never fails to lure my family to the kitchen. My kids started calling it "dessert for breakfast," and I have to agree—it tastes like a perfect hybrid of a cinnamon roll and French toast.
What makes this recipe a lifesaver for busy families is its make-ahead design, which I why I love casseroles like this one, my cheesy cabbage casserole, or rutabaga casserole. (For a sweet treat, try my carrot casserole souffle) I assemble it the night before, letting the bread soak up all that goodness overnight. In the morning, I just put it together and pop it in the oven. Plus, it uses simple pantry staples that I usually have on hand, making it even more convenient.
This has become my go-to recipe for any morning worth celebrating—birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, or when we have overnight guests. I love that it feeds a crowd without anyone being stuck at the stove flipping individual pieces of French toast. If you're looking to make an ordinary weekend special or need a stress-free holiday breakfast, this casserole is the recipe for you.
It's become such a favorite in my home that everyone insists on it for every special occasion—and what busy parent doesn't love a breakfast that can be prepped while they sleep?
Ingredients
- Whole milk - adds creaminess and richness to the mixture, creating a smooth custard base.
- Heavy whipping cream - enhances the richness and contributes to a decadent texture in the final dish.
- Eggs - serve as the primary binding agent, helping to create a custard-like consistency.
- Pure vanilla extract - adds a warm, sweet flavor.
- Ground cinnamon - provides a warm spice.
- Freshly grated nutmeg - adds a hint of warmth and complexity.
- Bread - acts as the base for the dish, soaking up the custard mixture and becoming soft and flavorful. I used leftover Russian dark bread, but you can use any bread you want.
- Unsalted butter - used for greasing the baking dish.
- Brown sugar - contributes sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor.
- Pure maple syrup - adds natural sweetness and a distinct flavor.
- Chopped pecans (or walnuts) - provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
- Pinch of salt - balances the sweetness of the dish.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
If you're looking for a breakfast recipe to serve on special mornings or just want to make your usual French toast a little more special, this pecan french toast casserole is the perfect choice! Just follow these simple steps, and you'll have a delicious, fuss-free breakfast to enjoy.
Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is important to make sure the casserole cooks evenly.
Prepare the Baking Dish
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1-2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Make sure to coat the bottom and sides thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Mix the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, heavy whipping cream, large eggs, freshly grated nutmeg, and pure vanilla extract. Mix until the ingredients are well combined and smooth. This custard will soak into the bread, creating a rich texture.
Arrange the Bread
Take your bread slices, I used leftover Russian dark bread, and arrange them in the prepared baking dish. You can layer the slices in a single layer or slightly overlap them. Once arranged, pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread. Make sure each slice is soaked in the custard mixture. Press the bread down lightly to help it absorb the liquid.
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Refrigerate the Casserole
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the covered dish in the refrigerator and let it chill for 6 to 12 hours. This allows the bread to absorb the custard mixture fully.
Prepare the Pecan Topping
After the casserole has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. In a medium saucepan, combine the packed brown sugar, pure maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir the mixture continuously until it becomes smooth and slightly thickened, which should take about 3-5 minutes. Once ready, remove it from the heat and stir in the chopped pecans.
Combine and Dot with Butter
Pour the pecan mixture evenly over the soaked bread in the baking dish. Spread it out so that every slice gets some of the topping. Dot the top of the casserole with small pieces of any remaining unsalted butter.
Bake the Casserole
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The casserole is done when the top is golden brown and the center is set. You can gently shake the dish to check for doneness; it should not jiggle too much.
Serve warm with whipped cream
Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve the pecan praline French toast casserole warm, dolloped with whipped cream or creme fraiche and drizzled with maple syrup. It's a perfect make-ahead dish for breakfast or brunch option!
Storage
To store pecan praline French toast casserole, allow the dish to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. For optimal freshness, refrigerate the casserole for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use a microwave, heating in 1-minute intervals until warm. If using the microwave, be sure to cover the dish to retain moisture while reheating. Enjoy your leftovers!
Top Tips
Use stale bread: For the best texture, use slightly stale bread. Stale bread absorbs the custard mixture better without becoming too soggy. If your bread is fresh, you can leave it out for a few hours to dry out a bit, or lightly toast it before assembling the casserole.
Customize the nuts: While pecans are traditional, feel free to substitute with walnuts or even a mix of nuts for a different flavor. You can also toast the nuts lightly before adding them to the topping to enhance their flavor and crunch.
Make ahead: This casserole is perfect for preparing in advance. Assemble it the night before and let it chill in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and makes for an easy breakfast option in the morning—just bake it when you're ready to serve!
What to Serve with Pecan Praline French Toast Casserole
Pecan praline french toast casserole is a fantastic way to transform breakfast into a morning treat. With its rich layers of soft bread soaked in a creamy custard and topped with a crunchy pecan topping, this dish is ideal for brunch gatherings or leisurely family mornings. I love serving it alongside bacon and eggs for a heartier spread.
For drinks, a cup of black coffee enhances its flavors, but for those craving something different, pair it with pumpkin spice cold brew, pumpkin spice latte, or a mocktail frozen mudslide for chocolatey mornings. If you want to add more variety to the table, consider sides like borlotti beans in tomato sauce, a goat cheese salad, or Colombian fruit salad. These options bring balance and freshness to the meal, making it suitable for both adults and kids.
Recipe
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Pecan French Toast Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 6 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 loaf bread 16 ounces, cut into 8 slices
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter + 1-2 tablespoons for greasing
- 1 cup packed brown sugar or dark brown sugar
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Pinch of salt
Optional toppings:
- whipped cream optional, for serving
- creme fraiche optional, for serving
- maple syrup optional, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1-2 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, cream, eggs, nutmeg, and vanilla.
- Arrange the gluten-free bread slices in the prepared baking dish and pour the egg mixture over the bread, ensuring each slice is soaked. Press the bread down lightly to ensure it absorbs the mixture.
- Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours.
- After chilling, remove from the refrigerator. In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt over medium heat. Stir until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in chopped pecans.
- Pour the pecan mixture over the soaked bread in the baking dish. Dot with remaining butter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
- Serve warm, dolloped with whipped cream or creme fraiche and drizzled with maple syrup if desired!
