Cozy Eggnog French Toast Bake
A warm, festive French toast bake infused with eggnog, cinnamon, and nutmeg, perfect for cozy holiday mornings. Easy to prepare and loved by both kids and adults.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes to overnight soak plus 1 hour baking and resting time
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf thick-cut brioche or challah bread (about 12 ounces / 340 grams), day-old works best
- 3 cups (720 ml) eggnog
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Optional: powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh berries for serving
Instructions
- Slice the brioche or challah loaf into 1-inch thick pieces. Arrange slices evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish, slightly overlapping if needed. If bread is fresh, lightly toast slices to prevent sogginess.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, eggnog, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth and combined.
- Pour the custard evenly over the bread slices, pressing gently to ensure all pieces absorb the mixture. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the dish from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Drizzle or dot the top with melted butter. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the top is puffed, golden brown, and custard is set (knife inserted near center should come out clean). Tent with foil if top browns too quickly.
- Let the bake cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with optional powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh berries.
Notes
Use day-old bread for best soaking without mushiness. Soaking overnight enhances flavor and texture. If bread is fresh, lightly toast before soaking. Tent with foil if top browns too fast. Butter on top creates a golden crust. Variations include adding rum extract, fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips. Gluten-free and dairy-free substitutions are possible.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/8 of the rec
- Calories: 320380
- Sugar: 1520
- Fat: 1518
- Carbohydrates: 3540
- Protein: 1012
Keywords: eggnog, French toast bake, holiday breakfast, festive brunch, easy French toast, cinnamon, nutmeg, brioche, challah