Hi👋 I’m MARILYN, a 34-year-old from the United Kingdom. Cooking is my passion, and I love sharing delicious, easy-to-follow recipes. Join me on marilynrecipes.com to explore a world of culinary delights, from comforting classics to innovative creations. Let’s make cooking fun and enjoyable for everyone! Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.
This Mini French Toast Casserole recipe is one of those magical dishes that instantly fills your home with warmth and nostalgia. I remember the first time I made it it was a chilly Sunday morning, and the smell of cinnamon and vanilla wafting through the kitchen brought my family together at the breakfast table. From that moment, this recipe became a weekend tradition. It’s sweet, tender, and cozy, and the best part? You can prep it the night before and just bake it in the morning.
If you love a comforting breakfast that doubles as a crowd-pleaser, you’re going to adore this Mini French Toast Casserole. The layers of soft, buttery bread, creamy custard, and a hint of cinnamon-sugar topping make every bite feel like a warm hug. Over the years, I’ve tweaked it until it’s perfect easy enough for busy mornings but special enough for holidays or brunches with friends.
Why I Love Making This Recipe
French toast has always been a nostalgic treat for me. As a child, my mum used to make a classic version with thick slices of bread, but I wanted something that could serve a family or even a small gathering effortlessly. That’s how the mini casserole idea came about it’s portion-friendly, visually charming, and keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
I love making this recipe because it’s adaptable. You can use your favorite bread brioche, challah, or even slightly stale sandwich bread works beautifully. The custard is rich and creamy, and the cinnamon-sugar topping gives it a golden crunch that makes everyone smile. Plus, prepping it ahead saves you time in the morning, which is a lifesaver on busy weekends.
Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets
Here’s everything you’ll need for this cozy breakfast treat:
- 6 slices of brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional, but adds warmth)
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- Optional toppings: powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh berries
Little kitchen secrets:
- Day-old bread works best. It soaks up the custard without turning mushy.
- Let the casserole sit before baking. An overnight soak allows the custard to infuse into every bread cube.
- Customize sweetness. Adjust the sugar in the custard or topping depending on your preference.
How I Make It, Step by Step
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in the dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
- Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, pressing lightly with a spatula to make sure every cube is soaked.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Before baking, mix melted butter and brown sugar, then sprinkle over the top of the soaked bread.
- Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
- Let it cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.
How I Serve It at Home
I love serving this Mini French Toast Casserole warm, straight from the oven. A dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a handful of fresh berries make it feel festive, even on a regular morning. For brunches, I sometimes serve it alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon, which balances the sweetness perfectly.
This casserole also works beautifully for gatherings. The mini portions are easy for guests to serve themselves, and it keeps nicely in the oven on low heat if you’re feeding a crowd.
Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips
- Make-ahead: Assemble the casserole the night before, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake it in the morning for a stress-free breakfast.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 30–60 seconds or reheat the whole dish in a 325°F oven until warmed through.
100-Word Short Version
This Mini French Toast Casserole is my go-to cozy breakfast recipe. Cubed brioche bread soaks in a sweet, cinnamon-vanilla custard, then bakes with a buttery brown sugar topping until golden and tender. It’s perfect for family mornings, brunches, or holiday gatherings. Prep it the night before to save time, and serve it warm with maple syrup and fresh berries. Every bite is a comforting hug, making it a weekend tradition in my home. With simple ingredients and little kitchen secrets, this casserole is easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and full of love.
Recipe Card Section
⏱️ Time
Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 45 mins | Total: 1 hr
🛒 Ingredients
- 6 slices brioche bread, cubed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- Optional: powdered sugar, maple syrup, berries
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×9-inch dish.
- Cube bread and place in dish.
- Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Pour custard over bread, press lightly, cover, and refrigerate 2+ hours.
- Mix melted butter and brown sugar; sprinkle on top.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until golden and custard is set.
- Cool 5–10 minutes, serve warm.
📝 Notes
- Use day-old bread for best soaking.
- Prep ahead for an easy morning breakfast.
- Customize sweetness or add fruit/nuts for variation.
🍽️ Nutrition
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 320
Sugar: 16g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated fat: 7g
Unsaturated fat: 5g
Trans fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 110mg
Mini French Toast Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Mini French Toast Casserole is the ultimate cozy breakfast! Cubed brioche bread soaks in a sweet cinnamon-vanilla custard, then bakes to golden perfection. Prep it ahead for stress-free mornings and serve warm with syrup and berries for a comforting family treat.
Ingredients
- 6 slices brioche bread, cubed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- Optional: powdered sugar, maple syrup, fresh berries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- Cube bread and place evenly in dish.
- Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
- Pour custard over bread, pressing lightly to soak each cube. Cover and refrigerate 2+ hours or overnight.
- Mix melted butter and brown sugar, sprinkle over top.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until golden and custard is set.
- Cool 5–10 minutes before serving warm with syrup and berries.
Notes
- Use day-old bread for best soaking.
- Prep ahead for an easy morning breakfast.
- Adjust sweetness or add fruits/nuts for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Conclusion
Mini French Toast Casserole is more than just a breakfast it’s a way to gather my family around the table, share stories, and create little memories together. Every time I pull it from the oven, I feel that same warm excitement I felt the first time I made it. Whether it’s a cozy Sunday morning or a special occasion, this dish never fails to bring smiles and comfort. I hope it brings the same joy to your home. Happy baking!