Easy Eggnog French Toast Bake with Cinnamon Crumble Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

If you are preparing this for a special occasion, you can assemble the base and the custard a few hours in advance and keep it in the refrigerator. However, wait to add the cinnamon crumble topping until just before you are ready to bake. This prevents the sugar and cinnamon mixture from absorbing moisture from the custard, which would cause it to lose its texture and become soft before it even hits the oven.

For a more decadent experience, consider serving this with a light dusting of confectioners' sugar or a dollop of whipped cream once the bake has cooled slightly. The warmth of the French toast will gently melt the cream, creating a delicious sauce.

You can also serve it alongside fresh berries, which provide a bright, acidic contrast to the rich, spiced notes of the eggnog and cinnamon. This keeps the dish balanced and visually appealing for any brunch table.

Variations

• Spiced Apple Variation: Fold in one cup of peeled and diced Granny Smith apples into the bread cubes before adding the custard. The tartness of the apples cuts through the sweetness of the eggnog.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Add 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble mixture before sprinkling it over the bread. This adds an extra layer of crunch and a toasted flavor.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then foil; freeze for up to 1 month.

Reheat

Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through, or microwave individual portions on medium power.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain the best texture, keep the bake in its original dish covered tightly with plastic wrap or foil. While the topping will naturally soften over time due to the moisture in the custard, the flavors will continue to meld and intensify, making the leftovers taste just as good, if not better, than they did when the dish was freshly baked.

You can assemble the bread and custard components up to 8 hours in advance, keeping the dish covered in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake, remove the dish from the fridge while the oven preheats to take the chill off.

Prepare the crumble topping fresh at the last minute and sprinkle it over the dish just before putting it into the oven. This ensures the best possible texture and prevents the topping from becoming soggy.

Serving ideas

Serve this dish warm, ideally directly from the baking dish. Using a sharp spatula, cut the bake into neat squares. Because the dish is rich and flavorful, individual portions do not need to be massive to be satisfying.

It pairs exceptionally well with a side of fresh fruit or a cup of hot coffee, which complements the warm spices in the custard perfectly. Presenting it in the original baking dish adds a rustic, home-style charm to your table.

If you are serving this for a larger gathering, you can place the baking dish on a heat-safe trivet to keep the bottom from cooling too quickly. Encourage guests to take a square and top it with their preferred accompaniments.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity; it requires no complex plating or finishing touches, making it the ideal choice for relaxed, informal gatherings where the focus is on good food and great company.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Easy Eggnog French Toast Bake with Cinnamon Crumble

Prep 15 minCook 40 minRest 10 minTotal 1 h 5 minServes 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 cups eggnog
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place the cubed French bread into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer across the bottom.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggnog and ground nutmeg until the mixture is well combined. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish, pressing down slightly to ensure all bread is soaked.
3. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this cinnamon crumble mixture generously over the soaked bread.
4. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

380

Protein

8 g

Carbohydrates

62 g

Fat

11 g

Fiber

1.5 g

Sugar

32 g

Sodium

420 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.