Overnight French Toast Casserole

Name: Overnight French Toast Casserole with Hawaiian Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf Hawaiian sweet bread; 8 large eggs; 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp almond extract; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp salt; Powdered sugar, for topping; Maple syrup, for serving; Whipped cream, for serving; Fresh berries, for serving

This overnight French toast casserole uses Hawaiian sweet bread soaked in a rich custard base and bakes into a soft, custardy breakfast dish that can be assembled the night before, making it ideal for feeding groups without morning prep.

🌍American 🏷️French toast casserole 🏷️Overnight breakfast 🏷️Breakfast bake 🏷️Hawaiian bread Brunch

🏷️

🏷️Holiday breakfast

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Total

1h

Servings

10

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by dinnerin321

-0:00

dinnerin321onTikTok

Ingredients

1 loaf Hawaiian sweet bread
8 large eggs
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extractoptional
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
Powdered sugar, for toppingoptional
Maple syrup, for servingoptional
Whipped cream, for servingoptional
Fresh berries, for servingoptional

14 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Cut the loaf of Hawaiian sweet bread into small cubes.
2
Place the bread cubes into a large baking pan.
3
In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs. Add the evaporated milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), cinnamon, and salt.
4
Whisk the egg mixture until everything is well combined.
5
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the pan.
6
Gently press the bread down to ensure all pieces are soaked in the custard.
7
Cover the pan and refrigerate overnight, or for at least a few hours.
8
The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit on the counter while the oven preheats.
9
Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and the center is set.
10
Let cool slightly before serving. Top with powdered sugar, maple syrup, whipped cream, and fresh fruit if desired.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cut the Hawaiian bread into 1-inch cubes and arrange in a single, slightly packed layer; this helps the custard distribute evenly and prevents dry spots.
Whisk the custard thoroughly before pouring—combine eggs, evaporated milk, heavy cream, both sugars, and extracts together for at least 1 minute to fully emulsify.
Don't skip the overnight rest; it allows the bread to absorb the custard fully and creates a tender, custardy interior rather than a dry bake.
Cover the casserole loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly during baking; remove for the last 10 minutes to set the surface.

Substitutions

Heavy cream → half-and-half or whole milk (result will be slightly less rich but still custardy)
Almond extract → maple extract or omit entirely (almond is optional; vanilla alone works fine)
Brown sugar → granulated sugar (brown adds depth; white sugar works but lacks molasses notes)
Ground cinnamon → pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg (1 tsp cinnamon can be replaced with 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg + pinch of clove)

Storage & make-ahead

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes or microwave for 1–2 minutes until warm.

Equipment

9x13-inch baking dish (or equivalent casserole) · whisk

Common Questions

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes—that's the point. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate overnight (or up to 24 hours). Bake the next morning as directed.

What bread can I substitute for Hawaiian bread?

Challah, brioche, or thick-cut white bread work well. Avoid thin sandwich bread, which absorbs too much custard and becomes mushy.

How do I know when the casserole is done baking?

The custard should be set but still slightly jiggly in the center, and the top should be golden. A toothpick inserted into the bread should come out with moist crumbs, not raw custard.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes. Use two loaves of Hawaiian bread and double the custard mixture. You may need to increase baking time by 10–15 minutes depending on your dish size.

What's the difference between evaporated milk and regular milk?

Evaporated milk is concentrated and adds richness and body to the custard. Regular milk won't create the same creamy texture; use heavy cream to compensate if substituting.