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Cozy Eggnog French Toast Bake: Best Christmas Breakfast Recipe

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This make-ahead eggnog French toast bake is the ultimate Christmas morning breakfast. With a rich custard, buttery brioche, and a crunchy streusel topping, it’s a cozy, effortless dish that lets you enjoy the holiday with loved ones instead of standing at the stove.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf (about 16 ounces) brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups eggnog (full-fat preferred)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • Maple syrup (for serving, optional)
  • Powdered sugar (for serving, optional)
  • Fresh berries or sliced bananas (for serving, optional)
  • Whipped cream (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut the brioche or challah into 1-inch cubes. If bread is fresh, spread cubes on a baking sheet and let dry for 1 hour.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs until smooth and slightly frothy. Add eggnog, milk, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until fully combined.
  3. Place bread cubes in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour custard evenly over the bread, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure all pieces are soaked.
  4. In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or forks to work butter into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces. Cover and refrigerate separately.
  5. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  6. About 30 minutes before baking, remove dish from fridge and let sit on counter. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  7. Sprinkle chilled streusel evenly over the top of the French toast bake.
  8. Bake on middle rack for 40-45 minutes, until top is golden brown, streusel is crispy, and center is set but still slightly jiggly. A knife inserted in center should come out clean.
  9. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
  10. Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with warm maple syrup, and add desired toppings.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best texture. Do not skip the overnight soak—it allows the custard to fully penetrate the bread. Keep streusel cold until ready to bake. Do not overbake; the center should be soft and custardy. For a gluten-free version, use sturdy gluten-free bread and reduce soak time to 4-6 hours. For a dairy-free option, use dairy-free eggnog and plant-based butter. For an adult version, add 2 tablespoons dark rum or bourbon to the custard.

Nutrition

Keywords: eggnog french toast bake, christmas breakfast, make-ahead breakfast, holiday brunch, brioche french toast casserole

Find it online: https://cravemila.com/cozy-eggnog-french-toast-bake-best-christmas-breakfast-recipe/