Easy Make-Ahead Spiced French Toast Casserole

This delightful breakfast casserole is one of our Chef’s favorites to put together on Christmas Eve. It sits in the fridge covered overnight and can easily be popped into the oven in the morning. It is full of homemade (or store-purchased) French Bread. The custard mixture is rich with caramel, vanilla, and orange flavors. Before it is baked, the casserole is topped with a spiced crumble mixture, which gives the finished dish a lovely texture. We serve ours with butter and a maple or caramel syrup drizzle.

Make Ahead  Spiced French Toast Casserole

1 (1lb) loaf of crusty sourdough or French Bread

8 whole eggs

1 ½ cups half and half

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 tbsp. vanilla extract

1 Tbsp. orange zest

For the Topping:

1 cup Panhandle Milling All Purpose Flour

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 Tbsp. Pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup (1 sticks) butter, melted

Maple or Caramel Syrup for serving

Butter, for serving

Directions

• Grease the baking pan with butter. Slice the Bread and evenly distribute it in the pan. Crack the eggs in a big bowl. Whisk together the eggs, half and half, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest. Pour the egg batter evenly over the Bread in the pan. Cover the pan and store it in the fridge overnight.
• For the topping, mix the flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Melt the butter. Mix it all together until the mixture resembles fine pebbles. Store in a plastic bag in the fridge.
• When you’re ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350° F. Remove the casserole from the fridge and sprinkle the topping over the top. Bake for 1 hour.
• Scoop out portions, top with butter, and drizzle with warm pancake or caramel syrup.