Overnight Cinnamon Swirl Cranberry French Toast

Wake up to a breakfast delight with this Overnight Cinnamon Swirl Cranberry French Toast, a festive casserole that combines the rich sweetness of cinnamon swirl bread with the tangy pop of fresh or dried cranberries. This make-ahead recipe is perfect for holiday mornings or weekend brunches, as it effortlessly pairs creamy custard-soaked bread with a crunchy brown sugar-pecan topping for contrasting textures and flavors. With minimal morning prep required—just bake and serve—this dish ensures stress-free hosting and happy guests. Serve it warm with a drizzle of maple syrup for the ultimate comforting treat!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 12 slices Cinnamon swirl bread
• 1 cup Fresh or dried cranberries
• 6 Large eggs
• 2 cups Whole milk
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 cup Brown sugar
• 0.5 cup Pecans (optional, chopped)
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 0 optional Maple syrup (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by greasing it lightly with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2

Cut the cinnamon swirl bread into 1-inch cubes and place half of them in an even layer in the baking dish.

Step 3

Sprinkle half of the cranberries over the bread layer, then top with the remaining bread cubes and cranberries.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is smooth.

Step 5

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and cranberries, ensuring all pieces are soaked. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or for a minimum of 6 hours.

Step 6

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, chopped pecans (if using), and softened butter to create a crumbly topping. Store this mixture in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Take the casserole out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes while the oven heats.

Step 8

Sprinkle the prepared crumb topping evenly over the casserole.

Step 9

Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes.

Step 10

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Step 11

Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1917.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5308.4

Total Fat 321.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 83.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 1839.0mg	0%
Sodium 3695.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 520.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.0g	0%
Total Sugars 360.3g
Protein 82.9g	0%

Vitamin D 454.7IU	0%
Calcium 1102.6mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 1631.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.6%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 39.2%