Pumpkin French Toast Casserole Recipe
When I first made this pumpkin French toast casserole, it felt like I uncovered the secret recipe to happiness. The warm pumpkin spice flavors filling my kitchen, combined with the buttery pecan streusel on top, was a dream come true. It was such a crowd-pleaser at brunch, and the convenience of preparing it the night before made my morning stress-free.
Ingredients
- Day-old bread French, brioche, or challah
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Pumpkin purée
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Pumpkin spice
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Pecans
Instructions
- Cube your day-old bread into 1-inch pieces for better soakage. Grease your baking dish, then add the bread cubes. If you don’t have stale bread, pop fresh bread into the oven at 350°F for about 12-18 minutes to firm it up. 🥖
- Whisk together the milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin purée, eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin spice in a mixing bowl. Pour this mixture over your bread cubes, making sure they’re fully coated and evenly soaked. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. 🎃
- Use your fingers to combine butter, brown sugar, flour, pecans, and pumpkin spice in a separate bowl until crumbly. You can even prepare this ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to bake. 🍂
- When the casserole is ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Evenly sprinkle the streusel mixture over the top. Bake for about 50 minutes or until the custard is no longer jiggly. If the top starts browning too much, tent it loosely with foil. Cool for a few minutes before serving. 🍁
- Slice into warm, golden squares and top with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or even whipped cream. Pair with your favorite cup of coffee or tea for the ultimate fall breakfast!
Notes
- Use Stale Bread: Day-old bread absorbs the custard better and prevents a soggy texture.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Allowing it to rest overnight enhances flavor and ensures the bread is fully soaked.
- Customize the Streusel: Don’t be afraid to get creative with add-ins like coconut flakes or chocolate chips.