If you're looking for the perfect holiday breakfast, this Eggnog French Toast is exactly what you need. It's cozy, spiced, festive, and honestly one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd on Christmas morning or any winter weekend. And if you ever find yourself with leftover eggnog (which feels like a holiday tradition at this point), this is the most delicious way to use it up.
Since this is an overnight eggnog french toast, you can prep everything the night before, then just pop it in the oven in the morning. No stress, no flipping slices of bread over a griddle, and no mess. It's also a classic eggnog french toast casserole, which means the whole thing bakes into one big, warm, custardy dish that makes your entire kitchen smell like cinnamon and Christmas.
Why You'll Love This Eggnog French Toast
- Great for using leftover eggnog - the more flavorful the eggnog, the better this recipe tastes.
- Holiday-perfect spices - cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and ginger make every bite warm and cozy.
- Prep ahead - assemble it the night before for a slow, easy morning.
- Feeds a group - ideal for Christmas brunch or hosting family.
- Super flexible - add nuts, fruit, or a streusel topping if you want to dress it up.
Ingredients & Why They Matter
Here's a quick breakdown of the simple ingredients that make this recipe so good:
- Brioche or challah bread: These breads are soft, rich, and slightly sweet, so they soak up the custard without becoming mushy. Day-old bread is perfect because it absorbs even more flavor.
- Eggs: Essential for turning the eggnog mixture into a custard that sets during baking. They help give the casserole structure.
- Eggnog: The star of the show. It brings flavor, sweetness, richness, and all those built-in holiday spices. Using leftover eggnog works perfectly here.
- Whole milk:Helps thin out the eggnog slightly for the perfect custard texture, keeping it creamy without being too heavy.
- Granulated sugar:Adds a little extra sweetness and helps the top caramelize beautifully as it bakes.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the warm flavors and enhances the sweetness naturally.
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, allspice: This cozy holiday spice blend makes every bite taste like Christmas. It pairs perfectly with the eggnog.
- Salt: Just a little to balance the sweetness and bring out the flavor of the spices.
- Melted butter: Drizzled on top before baking for a golden, slightly crisp finish.
How to Make Eggnog French Toast
- Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add the cubed bread in an even layer.
- Whisk together the eggs, eggnog, milk, sugar, vanilla, and all the spices until smooth.
- Pour the custard evenly over the bread. Lightly press the bread into the mixture so it absorbs everything.
- Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight (or at least 8 hours).
- The next morning, let the casserole sit at room temperature while the oven preheats to 350°F.
- Drizzle the melted butter over the top.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes, then top with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or whipped cream.
FAQ
Can I make this taste more like boozy eggnog?
Yes! If you want that classic boozy eggnog flavor, you can add 2-4 tablespoons of rum, bourbon, or brandy directly into the custard mixture. It blends right in with the eggnog and spices. If you'd rather keep the alcohol out of the bake but still want that flavor, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of rum extract instead. Both options give it that warm, nostalgic holiday taste without overpowering the dish.
Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes! French bread or even a sturdy Italian loaf works well. The key is using something slightly dried out so it holds up to the custard.
Do I have to chill it overnight?
Overnight gives the best texture, but if you're in a time crunch, at least 1 hour is okay. Just make sure the bread has soaked up most of the custard.
Can I freeze eggnog french toast casserole?
You can! Assemble it (don't bake). Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as normal.
Can I add toppings or mix-ins?
Absolutely. Pecans, walnuts, raisins, or even chocolate chips work great. You can also add a streusel topping if you want something extra indulgent.
Why is my french toast soggy?
This usually happens if the bread is too soft or too fresh. Day-old bread is best because it absorbs the custard without collapsing.
Eggnog French Toast
This cozy and festive overnight eggnog french toast is made with cubed brioche or challah soaked in a spiced eggnog custard. It's the perfect holiday breakfast and a great way to use leftover eggnog. Prep it the night before, bake in the morning, and enjoy a warm, comforting brunch with almost no effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 9 hours
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, brunch
Ingredients
1 loaf day-old brioche or challah, cubed (about 10 cups)
6 large eggs
2 cups eggnog
½ cup whole milk
⅓ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Syrup, powdered sugar or whipped cream, optional for topping
Instructions
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Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and add the cubed bread.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, eggnog, milk, sugar, vanilla, and spices.
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Pour the mixture over the bread and gently press the cubes down so they absorb the custard.
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Cover and refrigerate overnight.
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The next morning, preheat the oven to 350°F. Let the dish sit at room temperature.
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Drizzle melted butter over the top and bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden and set.
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Cool for 10 minutes, then serve with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or whipped cream.
Notes
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Add nuts, fruit, or chocolate chips to change up the flavor.
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If your bread is fresh, let the cubes sit out for an hour or two so they dry a bit.
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Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the top before baking if you want a subtle sweet crunch.
