Easy, make-ahead Baked French Toast soaked in a fragrant maple syrup and cream cheese mixture creates the most delicious breakfast bake! Enjoy this decadent French Toast with a finish of more maple syrup, a pile of fresh strawberries, and nuts of your choice.
BAKED FRENCH TOAST
A really easy-to-make French Toast Breakfast for company. Just throw it together the night before, put it in the fridge, place it in the oven the following morning and you’re good to go!
Assembling the ingredients the night before in a casserole dish turns this breakfast into a major timesaver, especially when expecting Holiday guests. I’m thinking MOTHER’S DAY! EASTER! CHRISTMAS! 🙌
Awaiting a full breakfast, specifically for overnight guests, preparing ANY dish in advance is a lifesaver. And, this Baked French Toast is ALL of that, plus a bag of amazing deliciousness! Having nearly everything prepared beforehand makes all the difference. You’ll be stress-free and enjoying your first round of mimosas in no time.
However, if you need to make it the morning OF, you can just prepare it all and let it sit about 20 minutes before baking. Baked French Toast is perfect for an effortless holiday breakfast, but also great for a weekend breakfast with the family.
HOW TO MAKE BAKED FRENCH TOAST
This French Toast recipe makes an easy breakfast or brunch, and it’s prepared with simple pantry ingredients.
- First, you will need to cream 8-ounces of cream cheese using an electric mixer.
- Then, you’ll want to add in your eggs and mix until combined.
- Add whole milk, maple syrup, vanilla, orange zest, and cinnamon; continue to mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Grease your baking dish and layer the bread slices.
- Pour the prepared cream cheese mixture over the bread slices.
- Cover and set in the fridge over night.
- Pull it out of the fridge and let stand 15 minutes on the counter.
- Bake uncovered in a preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until set and golden brown.
- Remove from oven, garnish with powdered sugar, nuts, and berries; serve.
This casserole is filled with everything you love about the classic, custard-soaked French toast, but it’s baked instead of fried.
It’s so flavorful, and it takes all of 10 minutes to prepare the night before. Baked French Toast makes the perfect breakfast for Christmas morning, or other special Holidays and get-togethers.
MORE FRENCH TOAST BREAKFAST FAVORITES
ENJOY!
Baked French Toast
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 loaf stale bread, like a large French baguette , sliced (about 14 slices)
- powdered sugar
- sliced strawberries, for garnish (optional)
- chopped nuts, for garnish (optional)
- maple syrup for serving, (optional)
Instructions
- Butter or lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Arrange bread slices in prepared baking dish; set aside.
- Cream the cream cheese in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer.
- Add in the eggs and continue to mix until combined.
- Add milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and orange zest; continue to mix until thoroughly incorporated.
- Pour prepared cream cheese mixture evenly over bread.
- Cover the baking dish and refrigerate overnight. If making the same day, let it stand 20 minutes before baking.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Remove baking dish from refrigerator; let stand on kitchen counter for 15 minutes.
- Bake, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes, or until set and top is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- You can also garnish with strawberries, nuts, and serve with a side of maple syrup.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
This recipe post was first published on April 3, 2011. Updated content and photos on May 1, 2019.
Hi Katerina, kudos to your recipe. These are perfect to try with tea and coffee. My wife liked them so much.
Keep sharing such recipes.
Hi Kate,
Can I prepare this recipe the night before and just bake them in the morning? If I left them soaking in the fridge the whole night, do I put them in a closed container or just lying on a baking sheet?
Looking forward to make these on Christmas morning!
Hi! I would just put the bread slices in a baking dish, pour the liquid over them, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Next morning, you can pop them in the oven (covered) as is at 350 Fahrenheit for about 30 to 35 minutes. You can also take the bread slices out of the egg mixture, transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 425F, though I think the bread will be a bit too soft to handle after sitting in the liquid for that long. 😀
This look amazing ! Just want to know after uput the slces on the baking sheet , what did u do with the rest of the mix ?
Hi! I just pour it out.
Kate, I never thought to bake French Toast….. I am going to have to try this! I like you had a hard time converting to “syrup” because my mom used to give us Ajvar and Feta Cheese as toppings! BTW nice job on the Blog!!
Hi Bets!! I still go for the ajvar and sirenje … love that stuff! 🙂
Mmm I love french toast but I’ve never thought to bake it! I’m definitely trying this recipe this weekend, thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
That has to be some of the most amazing photography I’ve seen (especially the top pic). Wow, you made me want that French toast very badly. The recipe looks fantastic too, but the picture just draws you in.
This looks uh-mazing!! I can’t wait to try it! Do you think you could use a light cream cheese to reduce the calories a bit?
Absolutely! I use Neufchatel Cheese at times instead of cream cheese… it works just as well.
Congratulations on Top 9. Well deserved!
This recipe looks AMAZING. We often eat the sweet version of french toast, but it is often fried and (if my partner’s Mum makes it … quiet oily). I think this ‘baked’ recipe looks wonderful and something which will definitely appear on my weekend breakfast rotation!
Shari from http://www.goodfoodweek.blogspot.com
omg this sounds amazing! Can’t wait to give it a try!
KATE!!!! First of all, congrats on the top 9! You are a rock star and deserve it! Secondly, HOLY CRAP YUM! This look fabulous. I love baked French toast and was avoiding it because of the wedding. Well now, I can eat it all I want!
I know what you mean about French toast… there’s something cloying about the texture that gets me. I love your baked solution!
Great recipe and a beautiful presentation. Thanks!
I used to eat the savory egg toasts too, growing up 🙂 But now I also do like French toast, yours look so gorgeous! Congrats on top 9!
I like them both now, too…but it took me a while to warm up to the French kind. 🙂
Congrats on Top 9. Great recipe too, just saw you at Priscilla’s, yeah. Hope you are having a great week.
-Gina-
There you are on Top 9 again ..,Congrats. Beautiful job
What a cool way to make french toast! The cream cheese addition is just greatttt… I want to make it now! Congrats on top 9 🙂
Kate, congrats on being #1 on the Top 9 and April’s Top Mom at She’s Cookin’ all in the same day! You’re doing something right 🙂
I just saw that!! Thank you, Priscilla – I’m so happy and honored!
kate this looks heavenly! love your continued success on the top 9
French Toast is one of my favorite breakfasts, and it’s funny, because I’ve never tried it baked before! Definitely need to try this recipe out this weekend! =)
hi Kate
that sounds like a much healthier way to enjoy french toast! thanks for sharing it with us.
Congrats on your top 9 today, your images are gorgeous!
Dennis
I love french toast and this looks ABSOLUTELY delicious! I have never tried baking it, but I assure you…I will now! 🙂 Congrats on Top 9! This looks like a real winner for sure. 🙂
-Gillian
“GillyCakes”
Yummy it looks really good! I love both sweet and savory French toast 🙂 Hubby on the other hand loves only sweet!
BTW congrats on the top 9 😀
Congrats on top 9!!!^_^
Have never had French Toast prepared this way, but I love that it is baked and the addition of cream cheese 🙂 But, being more of a savory lover, I’m intrigued by the Macedonian version with cheese you mentioned.
You have me more than curious about the Macedonian version. This looks delicious but I would love to see that!
I really love your new look. I also love your recipe for French toast. I’ve not had good luck making it before and I’m looking for another recipe. Yours arrived just in time. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Wow, Kate. Sorry haven’t dropped by for a few days. Bit swamped just now! I LOVE your new look. Very stylish, congrats for all your work on it. Brilliant.
And as for your baked French toast – lovely touch with cheese. Isn’t it funny how you get used to things?! Gorgeous pics, as ever. J xxoo
I have made Baked French toast before, but never this version, I’ll have to try it soon. Love the strawberries, too.
What an clever recipe! A great advantage to it would be that you could serve several people at once, instead of making each person wait for their french toast to cook in a skillet. It looks delicious, too.
This looks great! I hate soggy, super eggy French toast, which is why I almost never order it in a restaurant. I love your version and the idea of incorporating the cream cheese!
I always love the smell of freshly baked french toast 🙂 your version looks so simple and perfect. I want some now 🙂
I still haven’t really tried to make french toast. Your healthy version I like a lot.
WOW!! This is so stunning!! My son loves french toasts and now I can bake him your lovely toastes literally every day!!! Thanks for sharing that great recipe, Kate!! Oh, and I do love your new site design :))
Oh my, Kate! This looks so good! I’ve never been a fan of french toast… I’m not sure why. Actually, I’d probably prefer it the way your mom makes it just because I think I’m more partial to savory things for breakfast. But, you did a great job with this and your family’s so lucky that you’re such an awesome cook/baker 😉
This way of making French toast is new to me too, I’ve made it in the oven before but usually with the pieces of bread together in a casserole with the custard so that it all bakes up together.
Kate, if you like sweet French toast you’ll have to try creme brûlée French toast. I’m actually posting the recipe tomorrow ( if the scheduled post feature works on my blog). I made it this weekend for for brunch for my grandsons birthday.
Kate: I luv French toast. I like everything about breakfast food and treats that use syrup. This looks like a great recipe and luv that it gets baked in the oven.
brilliant idea – i love it!
Oh, Kate, you gave a new meaning to French Toast – it’s healthier.
Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.
Love the new look of your blog
you switched the layout again.
I’m playing with it 🙂 Not sure what I want yet… 🙂
Holy cow… How have I never seen a recipe for this before?!? I mean I’ve made french toast of course, but never baked, and never dipped in cream cheese!!!! Girl… I so have to try this asap!!!
What an awesome recipe! It’s like dessert french toast! <3 The only french toast recipe I have is my tofu french toast — so this will be another fun variation to try!
My whole family loves French Toast and your pictures are so nice. Great recipe Kate.
What a great alternative to frying! I’m sure the cream cheese gives it a lovely flavor and richness…
this looks delicious haven’t added cream cheese before must be yummy
Sounds great! I make an awesome Creme Brulee French Toast with Drunken Strawberries that is BAKED too! LOVE IT. Recent post on my blog. 🙂
I am about to go and see that! Sounds so good!
i love french toast but i always deep fried those .. and these days i am avoiding deep fried .. i LOVE your version .. will it this way next time 🙂
What a delightful variation of French toast…I know I’d love it!
Incredibly luscious and tempting French toast in a rich flavor and baked to perfection!!You have such a fine looking breakfast platter….
This sounds amazing! I love that you have included cream cheese in the egg mixture for extra richness! It is nice that this is baked so you don’t have to stand at the stove :)! Yummy!
I haven’t met a piece of French toast I didn’t love and these baked ones look fantastic. I’m curious now about the Macedonian version!
MMM! Kate! My kids would love this one… we are on Spring Break and have extra time in the mornings this week, I just might have to whip some of this up for them. Nicely done!
Oh wow this looks amazing! I love French toast and this looks delicious. Your photos are beautiful too!
I know where are you coming from..it was for me the same I just had it mostly with sour cream and that is how my kids preferred it now too..but once I tried sweet version I fell in love right away…you did incredible job because you bake them..much heather version and I will try it soon!
Thanks for sharing..fantastic photos!!!
This looks great! It would be perfect for fixing for a brunch.
Beautiful photo and recipe for baked French toast! I’d love to see you post the recipe for the savory Macedonian version sometime too! Pretty please?!?
Deal! I’d love to do that … thank you!
I so Love baked french toast! My fav is bananas foster french toast! Yum! Kate love the cream cheese addition! Gotta try it!
Yeah, the cream cheese works well with the maple syrup. Give it a go and let me know if you liked it!
Oh WOW.. This sounds absolutely incredible (of course everything you make does 😉 ) My kiddos LOVE french toast. We will have to give this a try next weekend….oh what the heck tomorrow. 🙂
This sounds soooo good! I have to try :). Cream cheese in french toast batter must be delicious!
I’ve always loved french toast; I’m a sweet breakfast person. And maple syrup is included in all my favorite options ;).
I tried twice to comment it kept saying my time rquest was too long? Anyway my son makes this every weekend add raisins, cinnamon and apples its yummy! Your came out perffect!
It was giving me that same message on others’ blogs… I hope it’s just an issue with IE.
Thanks for the tip…raisins and apples would be a great addition!
Oooh this looks so good! Gotta love the Sunday breakfasts 🙂
OMG! I have always loved french toast These look incredibly good! I can’t wait to try this recipe.