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Cranberry French Toast Casserole Recipe

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3.8 from 61 reviews

This Cranberry French Toast Casserole is a delightful holiday breakfast dish made with fresh cranberries, challah or brioche bread, and a sweet, spiced custard. Topped with a crunchy pecan topping, it’s perfect for Christmas or Thanksgiving morning, offering a festive and comforting start to your day.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

French Toast Casserole:

  • 16 ounces Challah bread or brioche, torn into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries, divided
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pecan Topping:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Casserole Dish: Coat a 2-3 quart casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside.
  2. Assemble Bread and Cranberries: Tear the challah bread into 2-inch pieces and place them into the casserole dish. Top the bread with 1 cup of fresh cranberries, piling them high, and set aside.
  3. Make the Custard: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until small bubbles appear, indicating the mixture is well combined.
  4. Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and cranberries. Toss and gently squeeze the bread with your hands so it absorbs some of the custard. Cover the casserole and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to soak fully.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator, toss the ingredients again to redistribute custard, and top with the remaining 1 cup of fresh cranberries. Set aside.
  6. Make the Pecan Topping: In a mixing bowl, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cold unsalted butter, light brown sugar, flour, coarse kosher salt, ground cinnamon, and chopped pecans. Cut or blend together using a pastry cutter or paddle attachment until well combined and crumbly.
  7. Add Topping to Casserole: Using two forks, evenly drop the pecan topping pieces over the top of the casserole to cover it evenly.
  8. Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, until the custard is set and the topping is golden and crispy.
  9. Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve with maple syrup if desired.
  10. Enjoy and Share Feedback: Once you’ve tried this festive and delicious casserole, be sure to leave your comments or star ratings to share your experience.

Notes

  • Using challah or brioche bread gives the casserole a rich, tender texture; day-old bread works best to absorb the custard without becoming too soggy.
  • Fresh cranberries add a tart contrast to the sweet custard and make this dish perfect for the holiday season.
  • The pecan topping adds a wonderful crunch and flavor contrast—ensure the butter is cold for the best texture.
  • You can prepare the casserole the night before, refrigerate overnight, and bake in the morning for convenience.
  • Maple syrup is optional but highly recommended for extra sweetness when serving.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/cranberry-french-toast-casserole-recipe/