Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

Cinnamon French Toast Casserole is an easy French toast bake that makes a great make ahead breakfast to share with your family. A cream cheese icing on top makes this the best French toast bake! Make this recipe gluten free by using gluten free bread—so easy!

This post is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. I appreciate the opportunity to share recipes made with ingredients from brands I trust and support. All opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sprouts Farmers Market. #sponsored

Easter is a special time to spend with family and friends. Whether you are gathering with a group this year or perhaps scaling back and sharing the holiday with a few family members, this French toast bake is a great idea for breakfast or brunch.

If you are looking for more recipes to help celebrate Easter with your family, you’ll enjoy these homemade brioche rolls, gluten free banana muffins, Easter white chocolate fudge, and sugar cookie Easter Baskets.

French Toast

French toast is an easy recipe because it takes kitchen staples like bread, eggs, and milk then elevates them into a special occasion meal. The simple act of soaking the bread in an egg and milk mixture before baking gives the bread new life. Even day-old bread or nearly stale bread can be transformed in this French toast bake!

Easter traditions

For me, Easter breakfast always includes cinnamon rolls. That was my inspiration for this cinnamon French toast casserole. This version is gluten free as it is made with gluten free bread, but if you don’t require a GF diet, go ahead with a traditional load of cinnamon bread.

Cinnamon rolls are packed with cinnamon and brown sugar but it is the cream cheese icing that creates such a decadent bite. This French toast follows the lead of cinnamon rolls—chewy, rich with cinnamon, sweetened with brown sugar, and topped with a cream cheese icing. So good!

Of course, you could omit the cream cheese icing on this French toast bake, but WHY? Skip the maple syrup and savor every bite of this cinnamon and cream cheese delight.

Ingredients needed

For the French Toast Bake

• 1 loaf of gluten free cinnamon bread
• Sprouts Cage Free Farm Fresh eggs
• milk
• Sprouts dark brown sugar
• Sprouts organic vanilla extract
• Sprouts organic ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Icing

• Sprouts organic cream cheese
• Sprouts unsalted butter
• Sprouts powdered sugar
• Milk

How to make Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

1. Cut the cinnamon bread into cubes.
2. Whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon
3. Combine the bread and wet mixture in a resealable bag. Seal tightly and refrigerate overnight.
4. In the morning preheat the oven. Grease the baking pan. Add the bread mixture. Bake.
5. Prepare the cream cheese icing. Let the cinnamon French toast casserole cool for 10 minutes before adding the icing. Serve warm.

Shop at Sprouts

I shop for pantry staples at Sprouts. Each time I visit Sprouts, I find more gluten free options which I appreciate. In addition to my gluten free favorites, I always buy Sprouts Farmers Market reliable and affordable staples like butter, sugar, eggs, and cream cheese. My pantry is stocked with spices from Sprouts. Cinnamon is a highlight in this recipe.

Make ahead breakfast

It’s so nice to make a meal ahead of time. Planning ahead in the evening gives you flexibility in the morning and really gives you the gift of time. Time to spend with your kids while they hunt for Easter eggs and this fragrant casserole bakes in the oven.

I suggest preparing your ingredients and letting them all soak in a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator overnight. I think a bag allows you to best mix the ingredients and let every last bit of liquid to soak into the bread. Often I’ll prepare the ingredients after dinner, gently toss them again right before bed (just turn the bag over in the fridge) and then I am ready to bake in the morning.

If you prefer to let the mixture marinate right in your baking pan, that is ok too. Grease the 8 by 8 pan first, mix all the French toast ingredients in a bowl, then add them to the prepared baking pan. Cover the pan and put in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours or overnight.

Can I skip the overnight resting period?

If you’ve found this recipe and want to make it right away, not to worry. I’ve tested it both as an overnight recipe and a “right-away” recipe. If you don’t have hours to let the bread cubes soak, reduce the milk by ¼ cup and let the bread soak for only 20 minutes, turning it once halfway through.

Cream Cheese Icing

Since we are celebrating, let’s go ahead and make this gluten free cinnamon toast casserole extra special with the addition of a cream cheese icing. Of course, you can use maple syrup instead or even a dusting of cinnamon or powdered sugar would be a nice topping.

For a sweet bite and a decadent meal I suggest including the cream cheese icing. It comes together easily with a hand held electric mixer. You can spread the icing over the entire French toast bake or let each person add a drizzle of the icing on his own.

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