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    Home » Bourbon French Toast Casserole Recipe

    Bourbon French Toast Casserole Recipe

    Published: Dec 18, 2020 · Modified: Feb 12, 2021 by Erin · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Pinterest Pin: French Toast casserole with bourbon caramel sauce.

    This Bourbon French Toast Casserole is an indulgent brunch casserole with the delicious flavors of cinnamon and vanilla. Topped with a rich and gooey bourbon caramel sauce, it is a show-stopping recipe that is perfect for any brunch!

    Bourbon French Toast Casserole on a plate with blueberries, pan of casserole and a glass of juice in background.

    Posts on this site may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure documents for more information.

    Jump to:
    • What You Need to Make Bourbon French Toast Casserole
    • What Kind of Bread Works Best?
    • How to Make Vanilla Custard
    • Make-Ahead Instructions
    • Caramelized Bourbon Brown Sugar Sauce
    • French Toast Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Other Breakfast Recipes You Might Enjoy
    • Recipe

    Every year on Christmas Eve I make two casseroles: This Bourbon French Toast Casserole and a Sausage Green Chile Casserole. Combined, they take about 20 minutes to put together. They sit in the refrigerator overnight, and then it is like an extra gift on Christmas morning. Just before we open our presents, I slide both of the casseroles into the oven. We slice up the oranges that my kids always get in their stockings, and breakfast is done!

    This casserole is perfect for Christmas morning, New Year's brunch, or any time when you want something that is easy, yet impressive.

    What You Need to Make Bourbon French Toast Casserole

    This casserole tastes like something you have slaved over for hours, but it is really so simple to make! There are three parts to the dish:

    1. Crusty bread, sliced thick
    2. Custard made from milk, half and half, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon
    3. Bourbon caramel sauce that has brown sugar, butter, and bourbon
    Ingredients for bourbon French toast casserole: milk, half and half, eggs, French bread, cinnamon, vanilla, bourbon, brown sugar, and butter.

    What Kind of Bread Works Best?

    French toast casserole needs a dense bread with a good crust. If you use regular bread it will just end up a soggy mess. My favorite bread for this is a classic French bread (after all, this is French toast), but a loaf of Italian bread, sourdough, or challah would also work very well.

    In a pinch, you can buy pre-sliced bread, but it really works best if the bread is a little thicker than how they cut it at the store. I use slices that are about an inch thick.

    Sliced French bread on a cutting board with knife.

    How to Make Vanilla Custard

    • The vanilla custard is so simple to make! Just whisk all of the ingredients together until the eggs are completely incorporated with the milk.
    • The cinnamon will rise to the top. That's totally okay!
    Mixing bowl of custard with a whisk.

    Make-Ahead Instructions

    • Pack the bread tightly into a 9x13 pan. When you think you have packed as much in as you can, squeeze in a couple of more pieces.
    • Pour the custard evenly over the bread.
    • Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
    9x13 pan with French bread slices packed in and custard poured over top.

    Caramelized Bourbon Brown Sugar Sauce

    • This bourbon brown sugar sauce is what really sets this recipe apart from all of the other French toast casserole recipes out there. It is buttery and caramelly, with an undertone of warm bourbon. As much as I try to resist, I always find myself grabbing a spoon for a quick taste while I make it. Quality control. (Wink.)
    • This sauce can be made while the oven is preheating. Melt the butter and brown sugar together in a saucepan until they are bubbling, then remove from the heat and add in the bourbon.
    • Pour over the top of the casserole before baking.
    Caramlized bourbon brown sugar sauce poured over the casserole.

    French Toast Variations

    I love this Bourbon French Toast Casserole just as it is, but if you are looking to mix it up, there are many wonderful variations that you can make.

    Pecan - Sprinkle ½ cup of chopped pecans over the top of your casserole before baking.
    Apple - Slice 3 large apples. When making the sauce, melt the butter and add the apples and brown sugar. Cook for 7-8 minutes, until apples, are softened. When making this version, I like to add the cinnamon to the apple mixture instead of in the custard. Spoon apples over the bread before baking.
    Orange - Replace the half and half with a cup of orange juice, and add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the custard.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I bake this right after I make it?

    The benefit of letting the casserole sit for at least 2 hours is that the custard soaks completely into the bread. But if you don't have time to wait, the dish will still be delicious! The texture may just be a little uneven.

    How do I make this without bourbon?

    The bourbon can be omitted, if you prefer. No other changes need to be made to the recipe.

    Other Breakfast Recipes You Might Enjoy

    • Buttermilk Spice Muffins
    • Gooey Butter Cake
    • Applesauce Pumpkin Bread
    • Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
    Baked Bourbon French Toast Casserole.

    If you tried this recipe, please rate and review it so others can see what you thought Tag me in your photos on Instagram @stateofdinner. I would love to see your dish!

    Recipe

    Close up of French toast casserole with bourbon sauce spilling over it, and a few blueberries.

    Bourbon French Toast Casserole

    Easy French toast casserole is made the day before, keeping your morning simple! This recipe is topped with a gooey bourbon caramel sauce that is just delightful!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Breakfast, Brunch
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 389 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 loaf French bread (16 oz)
    • 6 eggs
    • 1 cups milk
    • 1 ½ cups half and half
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¾ cup butter
    • 1 ⅓ cups brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons bourbon
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    Instructions
     

    • Grease or butter a 9x13 baking dish.
    • Slice the bread into 1-inch thick slices. Arrange bread in the baking dish, packing in tightly.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, half and half, eggs, cinnamon and vanilla. Pour over the top of the bread. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, or overnight.
    • When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • While oven is preheating, combine butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir until brown sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and mix in the bourbon.
    • Pour over the top of the casserole, then bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Bourbon French Toast Casserole
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
     
    389
    Calories from Fat 171
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    19
    g
    29
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    11
    g
    69
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    127
    mg
    42
    %
    Sodium
     
    336
    mg
    15
    %
    Potassium
     
    192
    mg
    5
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    46
    g
    15
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    27
    g
    30
    %
    Protein
     
    9
    g
    18
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    630
    IU
    13
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    1
    mg
    1
    %
    Calcium
     
    117
    mg
    12
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword bourbon, casserole, make ahead
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    Photo of Erin Gierhart

    Welcome! I'm Erin, wife, mom, and lover of great food. I've been cooking and baking for over half my life, including 7 years teaching cooking demonstrations. I have even sold baked goods, from homemade bread to wedding cakes! Somewhere between my kitchen disasters and extraordinary creations I learned a few things about what it takes to make a great dish. And I am excited to share those learnings and mouthwatering recipes with you!

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