Cranberry French Toast Casserole is an easy and delicious breakfast bake. Rich and fragrant, it’s the perfect recipe for Christmas morning!
An easy twist on my French Toast Casserole, this deliciously easy Cranberry French Toast Casserole is as tasty as it is simple to make. I love a full spread of brunch and this baked French toast, with tart cranberries, is perfect for Christmas morning. The cranberry flavor is perfect, not overwhelming, just right. Just make this yummy French toast recipe the night before, pop it in the oven in the morning and your work is done!
Key Ingredients for Cranberry French Toast Casserole
This sweet and tart baked French toast comes together with just a few simple ingredients, so it’s easy to throw together for a last minute holiday brunch, weekend breakfast or for a special busy weekday morning treat! Here’s what you need:
- Eggs: You will need six large eggs for this recipe.
- Heavy Cream: We are using both heavy cream and milk for this recipe. The combination of the two makes it rich without being overwhelming.
- Cranberry Sauce: You want to use store-bought sauce with whole cranberries in it or homemade cranberry sauce.
- Bread: I like using French bread for this recipe.
Cranberry Sauce
How to Make Cranberry French Toast Casserole
This is a brief overview of how to make this simple recipe. For the full recipe, see the recipe card in the bottom of the post.
- Make the egg custard. Combine the eggs, milk, heavy cream, cranberry sauce, and vanilla.
- Stir in the dry bread. Make sure that the bread is completely coated.
- Make the topping. Combine the butter and sugar together with two forks.
- Assemble the casserole. Add the bread mixture to the casserole dish. Top with the brown sugar topping.
- Bake the casserole. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes before slicing.
Dry Bread is Key
Anytime you are making a casserole that is a combination of bread and eggs, you want to make sure that the bread is dry. The reason for this is that it allows the bread to really soak up the custardy egg mixture.
To dry out the bread, cut it into cubes. Then, you can either bake it on low (about 250 degrees Fahrenheit) or you can place it in a thin layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Leave the sheet out overnight, and by the morning the bread will be ready to use.
Making the Night Before
Baked breakfast casseroles are a terrific option for holidays or brunches because they can be assembled ahead of time, saving you lots of stress in the long run. Here are some easy tips to remember:
- Completely assemble all ingredients in the recipe.
- Cover the unbaked breakfast casserole with plastic wrap of aluminum foil and refrigerate. You can chill it for as little as a couple of hours to one day.
- Allow it to come to room temperature the next morning when before you bake.
- Store leftovers tightly wrapped in the refrigerator, and reheat in the oven or in the microwave.
More Brunch Recipes
I have so many Breakfast Recipes that would pair perfectly with this!
Make this French Toast Casserole for your next holiday gathering and watch it disappear. I would love to hear from you, so please drop me a comment and let me know what you think of this or any of my other recipes.
Cranberry French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 whole eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 14 ounces whole cranberry sauce
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 8 cups dried bread cubed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 and spray a 9 by 13 pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, and heavy cream together.
- Whisk in the cranberry sauce.
- Add the bread, making sure that it is completely covered. Let it soak for 10 minutes.
- While the bread is soaking, combine the brown sugar and butter.
- Pour the bread/egg mixture into the pan. Top with the brown sugar/butter and put it into the oven for about 40 minutes until the eggs are set.
Julia says
Since I’m the only one in my family who likes to eat cranberry sauce with a holiday meal, I think this recipe for stuffed fresh toast is a great way to use the rest of the sauce. In recent years I’ve started to make my own cranberry sauce from fresh berries. It’s surprisingly easy!
Nancy [email protected] says
I have recently discovered I love cranberries! This sounds like perfect way to start the day!!
Thanks Nancy!
Meaghan Voigt says
This looks so yummy! I will be making this thanksgiving weekend, for sure! :)
Jessica says
This looks like the perfect Christmas Eve morning breakfast or anytime during the holidays really! Yummy!
Thank you Jessica!
Thanks Meaghan!
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar says
This looks delicious! I love the cranberries! And I hope you have a peaceful Christmas morning :)
Thank you Lindsay! I hope I do too!
Heather @ French Press says
Lisa this is perfect for holiday brunch! i hope you get that peaceful morning you are after :) we’ve yet to have one
Hahaha! That seems to be the general consensus Heather :)
Meghan @ The Tasty Fork says
I’d say to have a mimosa to take the edge off buuuut that’s not in the plans for you this year. However, you might be in more need of mimosas with a tasty breakfast NEXT Christmas. :) I love all things French Toast — it’s totally worth the holidays carbs.
OMG. Mimosas are the dream on Christmas morning. They are like the reward for doing all of Santa’s work for him. I know. Next year, next year, next year.
Kelly @ Mostly Homemade Mom says
Oh my word, do I hear you on the kids killing each other. Sometimes I wish I had a boxing ring for them to just duke it out! This looks delicious, what a great Thanksgiving breakfast idea. :)
Lol, Kelly!
[email protected] Dairy on the Prairie says
Since we live on a farm, when my boys fight I just send them to work with their Dad! It’s saves my life sometimes, and theirs too!
I love stuffed French Toast but have never thought to add cranberry’s! This looks amazing!
Thanks Amy!! Ooooo, I really wish there were times when I could just send my kids outdoors to run off their crazy energy, while I stay inside the nice warm cozy house :)
Awww, thank you so much Angela!