Baked Challah French Toast Casserole (Easy Make-Ahead Recipe)

This baked challah French toast casserole takes everything you love about classic French toast—soft, buttery bread soaked in a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard—and turns it into one easy, crowd-pleasing baked dish. The challah bakes up with crisp, caramelized edges, a custardy, creamy center, and just the right touch of sweetness from brown sugar. It’s warm, cozy, and perfect for make-ahead breakfasts, holiday brunches, or lazy weekend mornings. I developed this recipe after the huge success of my brioche French toast casserole, and let me tell you—this version with challah bread is just as foolproof and delicious, if not better!

Why I Love This Challah Bread French Toast Recipe

The first time I made this challah French toast was when my sister and her husband came to stay with us for the weekend. I wanted to make something special for breakfast—something that felt a little indulgent and restaurant-worthy but still easy enough to throw together the night before. I messed around with the French toast base from my Denny's french toast and tried using challah bread to elevate it. When I pulled it out of the oven that morning, the whole kitchen smelled like cinnamon and vanilla, and the top was golden and caramelized. We all sat down, and after one bite, my sister said, “This tastes like something you’d order at that expensive brunch—but better.” That’s when I knew this recipe was a keeper.

I love this recipe because it’s rich, elegant, and deceptively simple. Challah bread makes the perfect base—it’s fluffy, slightly sweet, and soaks up the custard beautifully without getting soggy. The overnight soak gives the bread time to absorb every bit of that creamy, cinnamon-kissed custard, so all you have to do in the morning is bake it to perfection.

Another reason I love it? It’s really versatile. You can top it with chopped pecans for crunch, fresh berries for a pop of color, or drizzle it with warm maple syrup for the full indulgent French toast experience. Whether I’m making it for a cozy family breakfast or a holiday brunch, this casserole never fails to impress—and I always get compliments about how good it is! 

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 loaf challah bread (about 1 lb), torn into large pieces
• ½ stick (4 Tbsp) unsalted butter, thinly sliced
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• Chopped pecans, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and fresh berries (optional toppings)

How To Make Challah French Toast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange torn challah pieces in an even layer, making sure to fill all gaps. Tuck butter slices between the bread pieces.

Step 2: Make the Custard

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until smooth.

Step 3 : Soak Overnight

Pour custard evenly over the challah, coating every piece. Cover and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours) to let the bread absorb the mixture.

Step 4: Bake the Casserole

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the dish and sprinkle pecans on top. Bake 45–60 minutes, until puffed, golden, and set in the center.

Step 5: Serve

Let the casserole rest 10 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar, then serve warm with maple syrup and berries.

Expert Tips For The Best Challah French Toast Casserole

• Use day-old challah for the perfect texture: Slightly stale challah absorbs the custard well without falling apart. If your bread is fresh, tear or cube it and let it sit uncovered for an hour before assembling. The drier texture helps the custard soak in evenly, giving you a creamy interior and crisp, caramelized top that makes this French toast casserole and other French toast recipes—like my French toast recipe for two—so good.
• Put butter between the bread layers: This little trick takes your casserole from good to bakery-quality. Placing thin pats of butter between the challah pieces creates golden, crisp edges as the casserole bakes. The butter melts into the custard and caramelizes the outer layer, adding rich flavor and that signature French toast crust.
• Don’t skip the overnight soak: An overnight French toast casserole allows the custard to penetrate every inch of the challah, transforming it into a soft, custardy pudding on the inside and golden perfection on the outside. If you’re short on time, let it soak for at least 2 hours in the fridge for the best results.
• Bake until set but still soft in the center: You’ll know it’s done when the center is set but still slightly soft—similar to bread pudding. If it feels too wobbly, bake for another 5–10 minutes. If the top starts browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil to prevent burning while the inside finishes baking.
• Add crunch with nuts or toppings: For texture contrast, sprinkle chopped pecans over the top before baking. This is an addition I started doing, and I think it completes the casserole. Walnuts or sliced almonds also add a great nutty crunch. For something extra indulgent, drizzle with maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar right before serving.
• Make ahead for effortless mornings: This casserole is perfect for meal prep or holiday breakfasts. Assemble and bake it a day ahead, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, warm slices in the oven at 325°F for 10–12 minutes until heated through. It tastes just as rich and decadent as when freshly baked.

Flavor Variations To Try

• Caramel Apple French Toast Casserole: Turn your casserole into a cozy fall favorite by layering thinly sliced apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work great) between the challah pieces. Drizzle with caramel sauce before baking for a gooey, dessert-like French toast casserole that tastes like apple pie meets brunch. A pinch of extra cinnamon takes it over the top. It'll be just like my apple french toast casserole but with challah bread!
• Chocolate Chip French Toast Casserole: For chocolate lovers, sprinkle ½ cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips between the layers of challah before pouring in the custard. As it bakes, the chocolate melts into pockets throughout the casserole. Top with powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate syrup right before serving for an indulgent breakfast treat.
• Berry French Toast Bake: Add a pop of color and tart-sweet flavor by layering 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries throughout the casserole before baking. The berries burst as they bake, creating a jammy swirl that's a delicious complement to the cinnamon-vanilla custard. Serve with whipped cream or maple syrup for a brunch-worthy finish.
• Savory Challah French Toast Bake: For a brunch twist, skip the sugar and cinnamon and turn this into a savory breakfast strata. Add ½ cup cooked bacon or sausage, 1 cup shredded cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives or thyme. The result is a cheesy, hearty casserole that works perfectly for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner.

Challah French Toast Casserole FAQs

What’s the best bread for French toast casserole?

Challah is the best choice—it’s soft, rich, and slightly sweet, which helps it soak up the custard without turning soggy. The eggy texture gives the casserole a creamy interior and crisp top once baked. If you can’t find challah, brioche or French bread are excellent substitutes that yield similar results.

Do I have to refrigerate it overnight?

Yes, for the best texture and flavor, refrigerate the casserole overnight so the bread has time to absorb the custard completely. However, if you’re short on time, letting it rest for at least 2 hours still produces a delicious, soft, custardy bake.

Can I make this ahead for brunch?

Yes! This casserole is one of my favorite make-ahead breakfast recipes. Simply assemble it the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, bake it while you prep coffee or sides, and you’ll have a warm, golden French toast casserole ready to serve—no stress required.

Can I use low-fat milk instead of heavy cream?

You can, but the casserole will be a bit lighter and less rich. For a balanced texture, I recommend using whole milk or a mix of half milk and half half-and-half. If you want a more indulgent, custard-like consistency, stick with heavy cream or a combination of cream and milk.

How do I prevent soggy French toast casserole?

The key is using slightly stale challah—day-old bread absorbs the custard evenly without collapsing. Also, don’t over-soak the bread or overload it with liquid; every piece should be coated but not swimming in custard. Bake until the center is set and the edges are golden brown for the perfect texture.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftover casserole tightly covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual slices in the oven at 325°F (165°C) for about 10 minutes, or microwave briefly until heated through. Avoid over-microwaving to keep the texture soft and moist.

Can I freeze French toast casserole?

Yes! Let the baked casserole cool completely, then wrap it tightly in foil or place in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

What toppings go best with challah French toast casserole?

Classic options like maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh berries never fail. For something extra special, add whipped cream, caramel drizzle, or a spoonful of vanilla yogurt. You can even dust it with cinnamon sugar or serve it with a side of bacon or sausage for a sweet and savory combo.

My Final Thoughts

This baked challah French toast casserole is rich, custardy, and decadent—everything a brunch recipe should be. With buttery challah, cinnamon brown sugar swirled custard, and a crisp, golden top, it’s the perfect make-ahead recipe for holidays, family gatherings, or weekend mornings. Serve it warm with maple syrup and berries, and it won't disappoint. Give it a try and leave me a review and comment below so I can hear how it turned out for you.

Breakfast Casserole Recipes To Try Next

• Cinnamon roll casserole
• Cinnamon roll French toast casserole
• Pioneer Woman French toast casserole
• 5 ingredient hash brown casserole
• Sausage casserole
• Tater tot breakfast casserole