This moist and flavorful gingerbread loaf casserole is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or holiday gatherings. This easy gingerbread French toast for a crowd is best paired with a touch of whipped cream, or ice cream for a decadent touch.
I never worry about having bread that's close to its expiration date. Instead, I get excited because it means I can make my soft and delicious gingerbread-scented bread pudding casserole. It's warm and spicy because of ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, and full of comfort and scent of the holiday season. But just so you know, I call it Gingerbread French Toast to my kids to make them feel like they're eating something fancy! I love having this French toast for breakfast or in the afternoon with a nice warm cup of coffee.
I usually make this around the holidays, when we have bread slices that are about to expire and I want to treat my kids and guests to a nice breakftast that's easy to prep. It’s a great way to avoid waste and create a delicious snack. Around Christmas, I prepare this for family gatherings over brunch because its softness and flavors win everyone over. If I bring a container filled with freshly baked gingerbread loaf to a holiday potluck, I'll come home with an empty one for sure. It's a great make-ahead Christmas Day brunch recipe!
The best part (for me) is, this gingerbread French toast casserole doesn't even take two hours to make. It usually takes me about 20 minutes to prepare and then around 50 minutes to bake, and that's a decent amount of baking time if you ask me. I let it cool for a bit, but I can't resist stealing a few hot bites—they're definitely worth it. I like serving this gingerbread loaf with condensed milk, cream cheese frosting or a sprinkle of powdered sugar, they make it even more delicious.
My kids love this recipe because It's super moist, fluffy, and the best gingerbread loaf casserole they've ever tried. It makes for easy breakfast or snacks that will last a few days, and it keeps really well when stored in an airtight container. Try it once and you'll find yourself purposely saving a few bread slices to make the recipe.
Ingredients
• Day-old bread - cubed, this provides structure and absorbs the custard mixture. I love using sourdough or brioche loaf.
• Milk - forms the base of the custard.
• Eggs - bind ingredients and add richness.
• Brown sugar - sweetens and adds depth of flavor.
• Molasses - adds a rich, dark sweetness.
• Ground ginger - provides warmth and spice.
• Ground cinnamon - adds a sweet, woody flavor.
• Ground cloves - contributes a pungent, aromatic taste.
• Butter - melted, adds richness and helps with browning.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This gingerbread loaf casserole is a moist and delicious holiday twist on classic gingerbread. It's perfect for those who love the flavors of gingerbread but prefer a softer, bread pudding-like texture. This easy gingerbread loaf recipe is great for breakfast or as a holiday treat.
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. This will ensure your gingerbread loaf casserole doesn't stick to the pan.
Prepare the Bread
Spread the cubed day-old bread in the prepared baking dish. The stale bread will absorb the custard mixture better, giving your gingerbread loaf casserole the perfect texture.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, eggs, brown sugar, and molasses. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to mix these ingredients until well combined. These ingredients will form the base of your custard and give your casserole that classic gingerbread flavor.
Add the Spices
To the wet ingredients, add the dry ingredients: ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt. Whisk well to combine. These are what give this casserole its signature gingerbread taste, reminiscent of a Starbucks gingerbread loaf.
Combine Bread and Custard
Pour the batter over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Gently press the bread down to ensure all pieces are soaked in the custard. This step is crucial for a moist gingerbread loaf casserole.
Bake the Casserole
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The casserole is done when it's set and golden brown on top. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
Want to save this?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week.
Cool and Serve
Once baked, remove the baking dish from the oven and let the loaf cool for about 10 minutes. This allows the casserole to set and makes it easier to serve. Serve your homemade gingerbread loaf casserole warm.
For an extra treat, top it with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I also like to accompany it with condensed milk. You could even top it with a simple cream cheese frosting or drizzle with icing for added sweetness.
Storage
To store, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before covering the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or storing portions or the gingerbread loaf in an airtight container. For optimal freshness, refrigerate the gingerbread loaf for up to 5 days.
If you want to freeze it, cut the casserole into individual portions, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, and place in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen gingerbread loaf can be stored for up to 3 months.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then warm in the microwave in 30-second intervals. For an extra treat, add a dollop of cream cheese frosting or a drizzle of icing when serving reheated portions to give your gingerbread loaf casserole that freshly-baked taste, reminiscent of moist Starbucks gingerbread loaf cakes.
Top Tips
Use stale bread - For the best texture in your soft gingerbread loaf casserole, use day-old bread. This helps the bread cubes absorb the spiced custard mixture better, resulting in a moist and flavorful loaf that rivals any Starbucks gingerbread loaf.
Don't skimp on the spices - To achieve that classic gingerbread flavor, be generous with your spices. A combination of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves will give your loaf the perfect balance of warmth and sweetness. For an extra kick, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to elevate the flavors even more.
Serve with cream cheese frosting - While the gingerbread loaf casserole is delicious on its own, serving it with a dollop of cream cheese frosting takes it to the next level. This addition makes it reminiscent of a copycat Starbucks gingerbread loaf and transforms it into a decadent dessert perfect for holiday gatherings or as a special breakfast treat.
What to Serve with Gingerbread Loaf Casserole
This is the perfect recipe for an afternoon snack so I like having it with a cup of coffee or chai tea latte. But it's also great for breakfast, you can pair this with savory meals like scrambled eggs and bacon.
If you're feeling extra and have time to spare, you should try my smoked salmon eggs benedict recipe, it will complement the sweetness of the gingerbread loaf. If you want to pair it with a drink that's comforting, you should try my pumpkin spice latte recipe with syrup.
If you're looking for more warm, spiced flavors, you should try out my pumpkin spice recipes: pumpkin spice muffins, glazed pumpkin spice bars, and pumpkin spice banana bread. They're all simple recipes, perfect if you want no-fuss treats!
Recipe
Tried and loved this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below! Your reviews mean a lot to me, so if you've got any questions, please let me know in a comment.
Gingerbread loaf casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 loaf day-old bread cubed
- 2 cups milk
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Spread bread cubes in the baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk milk, butter, eggs, brown sugar, molasses, spices, and salt.
- Pour mixture over bread. Press bread down to soak.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until set and golden.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
