‘Twas the Night Before… French Toast {Webisode #2}
Feeding a crowd shouldn’t be difficult, especially during the holiday season. At this time of year I don’t fuss around with complicated recipes, instead I concentrate on making meals that are easy to prepare ahead – even days ahead – and don’t require constant attention. This casserole, which I’ve aptly titled “‘Twas the Night Before… French Toast” is just the ticket when it comes to feeding a crowd for brunch.
My husband’s Aunt Barbara (wife of the famous Uncle Kevin), gave me this recipe when I was showing signs of anxiety regarding an impending visit from loads of family members. She rightly noted that this casserole is absolutely mouthwatering – she has yet to have a guest turn it down – and is the simplest way to get a fabulous breakfast on the table with minimal stress. To complete the brunch table I set out a big platter of crisp salty bacon, jugs of warm maple syrup, juice and caffeinated beverages. Inevitably this turns my dining room table into a schmorgesborg of deliciousness that never fails to please even the pickiest of eaters.
This dish is a cinch to pull together a day prior – I complete the legwork during my daughter’s afternoon naptime the day before – then it just sits, unattended, in the refrigerator until it is baked the following morning. For all you Naptime Chef’s out there, it is important to note that it is perfectly acceptable to prepare this at 3pm one day and not bake it until 7am the following morning, I do it all the time. As exemplified below, this dish is intended to be made in advanced, doing so allows the bread to absorb more liquid and achieve maximum flavor.
Since this casserole truly is as beautiful and tasty as it sounds, I’ve made another video for your viewing pleasure. I hope this demonstrates how fantastically easy this casserole is to make, and what a wonderful solution it can be to feeding hungry mouths in your household (either visiting, or permanent residents) over the holidays. Enjoy!
The Naptime Chef – ‘Twas the Night Before…French Toast from Kelsey Banfield on Vimeo.
Recipe
‘Twas the Night Before… French Toast
loosely adapted from Paula’s Home Cooking by Paula Deen
Ingredients
| 1 | large loaf Challah bread, preferably 1-2 days old so it is slightly hard |
| 8 | large eggs |
| 2 c. | whole milk |
| 1 c. | heavy cream |
| 2 T. | granulated sugar |
| 1 t. | vanilla extract |
| 1 t. | freshly grated orange zest |
| ½ t. | ground cinnamon |
| ½ t. | freshly ground nutmeg (or ¼ t. jarred ground nutmeg) |
| ½ t. | salt |
| 5 oz. | frozen blueberries (or any other frozen berry that you would like!) |
For the Topping:
| 1 | stick butter, melted and cooled |
| 1 c. | packed light brown sugar |
| 1 c. | chopped pecans |
| 2 T. | light corn syrup |
| 1 t. | ground cinnamon |
| 1 t. | freshly ground nutmeg (or ½ jarred ground nutmeg) |
Fresh Maple Syrup for Serving
Instructions
1. Thoroughly butter a 9×13 baking dish. Set aside.
2. Using a bread knife cut the Challah into 1-inch thick slices and arrange in the baking dish so that they are slightly overlapping.
3. In a large bowl mix together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, orange zest and salt. Whisk well so that everything is thoroughly combined. Pour this mixture over the Challah bread. Gently press the Challah down into the milk mixture so that the bread begins to absorb the liquid.
4. Pour the blueberries over the bread, tucking them between the layers and sprinkling them over the top as desired.
5. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator over night, or for up to 24 hours. While it rests in the fridge the bread should soak up all of the liquid and flavor.
6. The next day, preheat the oven to 350. Then, make the praline topping by combining the melted butter, chopped pecans, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and corn syrup in a bowl. Spread it evenly over the top of the french toast.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is toasted and golden brown.
Naptime Notes
Naptime Recipe Serving ideas
This is a terrific casserole to serve a crowd for brunch, or just to enjoy with family. I love that the flavors can be tweaked as desired, feel free to substitute raspberries or cherries for the blueberries. And, if you’d like to use a different bread then day old french bread would work well, too. If someone is allergic to nuts, simply omit the topping.
Naptime Stopwatch
As you can see above, preparing this takes about 20 minutes. The rest of the “work” entails leaving it in the fridge and then popping it in the over the following morning. There is hardly an easier way to feed a crowd.
Naptime Reviews
I have yet to meet one person who does like french toast, especially this one. With all the rich flavors everyone from the grandparents to children adore this dish.
Naptime Reviews
19 Responses to “‘Twas the Night Before… French Toast {Webisode #2}”
Logo by Type Shape Color
Blog design by cre8d
Privacy Policy
© 2009-2024 The Naptime Chef®
This work may not be reproduced without permission by the author Kelsey Banfield.
The Naptime Chef® is a Registered Trademark of Kelsey Banfield.
Sounds good and the video looks great! I've been thinking about our Christmas morning breakfast. This is just the ticket! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Sounds good and the video looks great! I've been thinking about our Christmas morning breakfast. This is just the ticket! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Kelsey, You did such a great job on the video! This looks like a terrific recipe, and I'll keep this one in mind for the next holiday breakfast. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
Kelsey, You did such a great job on the video! This looks like a terrific recipe, and I'll keep this one in mind for the next holiday breakfast. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
This looks so yummy! We do waffles every morning, and it's tough cooking on the spot. I didn't know you could make french toast ahead of time.Love your webisodes! Keep them coming.And Happy Thanksgiving!!!
This looks so yummy! We do waffles every morning, and it's tough cooking on the spot. I didn't know you could make french toast ahead of time.
Love your webisodes! Keep them coming.
And Happy Thanksgiving!!!
This looks wonderful… Love the video. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
This looks wonderful… Love the video. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
I have a very similar recipe we make for Christmas morning–so good! And I LOVE the webisode…favorite quote: "clean hands are the best tool you can have in the kitchen." I knew I liked you for a reason :)No but in all seriousness, you have a great "tv" presence–looks like fun.
I have a very similar recipe we make for Christmas morning–so good! And I LOVE the webisode…favorite quote: "clean hands are the best tool you can have in the kitchen." I knew I liked you for a reason 🙂
No but in all seriousness, you have a great "tv" presence–looks like fun.
I made this for a tailgate… it was awesome! Several people said it was the best french toast they had ever had. It was so easy to make and then just pop in the oven that morning. No one was asking for syrup… I think it would be too heavy with syrup. I sprinkles some powered sugar on it just to look nice. Perfect! I’m making again n a few days for Christmas.
I am so glad Amanda!! Enjoy and happy holidays!!
Hey Kelsey! I’m thinking of making this for the Disqus team (appropriate, since you’re a client) next weekend in Lake Tahoe – we’re going to have a group of 18…how many does one batch typically serve? Thanks! 🙂
[…] French Toasts are a fantastic way to celebrate breakfast. I’ve made this dish several times the day before and baked it the next morning. Serve a slice with warm maple syrup, hot coffee and a […]
[…] on the tree. In the less-than-one-minute I’ll be allotted that morning I plan to shove my Overnight French Toast in the oven and prepare the batter for these awesome […]
[…] 8. ‘Twas the Night Before…French Toast: We will be eating this classic recipe on Christmas morning. My whole family loves it and it makes my life sooo much easier since I can prepare it the night before. […]
[…] add a little sugar to the top and pop it in the oven! The idea for this is very similar to my blueberry overnight french toast or the strawberries and cream overnight french toast recipe from my book, it is just made with […]
Just wanted to say that this has been my “go-to” recipe for the past several year when we are hosting a special event, such as Christmas morning… or a caroling/PJ party with friends! 🙂 I’ve also dropped it off for friends who have family in town due to illness/funeral. And, recently, I’ve also taken to making it when I have bread to use up, (like tonight!) It is always a fantastic hit! Thank you!
Hi Kate – This is such a great comment. Thank you sooo much! I am glad you like it and that you are spreading the good food and warmth to others. Enjoy!