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Festive baked gingerbread french toast casserole with cranberries is soft on the inside and crispy outside. The best holiday breakfast on Christmas morning. | aheadofthyme.com

Baked Gingerbread French Toast Casserole


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5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Festive baked gingerbread french toast casserole with cranberries is soft on the inside and crispy outside. The best holiday breakfast on Christmas morning.


Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon all-spice blend
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 loaf of bread, cubed into 1-inch pieces (French baguette or other crusty, dense loaf) 
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • maple syrup (optional, for serving)
  • confectioners' sugar  (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, ginger, all spice, cloves, nutmeg, and salt  to create the custard mixture. 
  2. Place cubed bread in a large mixing bowl, then pour custard mixture on top. Stir to combine, and let sit for 30 minutes (up to overnight), tossing once halfway through.
  3. Meanwhile, soak cranberries in a small bowl with orange juice for 10 minutes, then drain.
  4. Preheat oven to 350 F.  Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with non-stick baking spray. Pour in bread and custard mixture and sprinkle on cranberries on top, dispersing evenly.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and/or a drizzle of maple syrup on top.

Notes

Make ahead instructions: To make this a day ahead, transfer the large mixing bowl with soaked bread into the refrigerator, cover and store overnight. Then, transfer to a 9x13 baking pan in the morning, and add cranberries on top.

How to store: Cover or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

How to reheat: Reheat in the microwave for about one minute or in a 350F preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes (+30 minutes rest time)
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American