12 Brunch-worthy French Toast Casseroles

These 12 Brunch-worthy French Toast Casseroles would make the perfect hassle free & tasty addition to that next big weekend brunch menu you may be planning...

I kind of have a thing for french toast casseroles.  It started with my Overnight Pumpkin Pie Chai French Toast back in November of 2012.  And then there was my Irish Coffee French Toast Casserole.  And I even created one chock full of rainbow sprinkles, perfect for celebrating a birthday- my Happy Birthday Cake Batter French Toast! :)

I am not really a big fan of traditional french toast.... the dipping and soaking and the mess. And then there is having to stand in front of the stove and watching the pan as you fry each batch.

There is just something so much more appealing to me about tossing the sliced bread into a casserole dish and pouring the eggs, and milk, and everything else over top & then popping it into the oven. 

Plus, a french toast casserole frees you up to be able to prepare another dish while it is baking... like frying bacon or making omelets, cutting fruit, brewing coffee.

They are the perfect, hassle free & tasty addition to a big brunch you may be planning... say for Easter or Mother's Day or just because. ;)

Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast

This delicious Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast is virtually guilt free thanks to nonfat Greek yogurt, fresh sliced strawberries, & crunchy Post Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal...

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Post Pebbles, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #PostWalgreens http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

I think by now you all know that I am a big fan of the make ahead, overnight french toast casserole.  But most of the french toast casserole recipes that I have shared with you all up until now have been decadent, bordering on almost qualifying as a dessert. ;)

I have been brainstorming ideas for making and sharing a healthier french toast casserole recipe with you all.  And I found my recipe inspiration while shopping at my local Walgreens for some of our favorite Post cereals...

So, today I am sharing with you all this Strawberry-Coconut Crunch Layered French Toast perfect for whipping up for Easter morning (or any spring weekend morning!).

I have made this delicious french toast casserole virtually guilt free by making it with nonfat Greek yogurt, fresh sliced strawberries, & crunchy Post Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal.  

I absolutely love the addition of the Honey Bunches of Oats Greek cereal to this- it gives it a nice, crunchy texture and adds even more protein and whole grains to this healthy, perfect for spring french toast casserole...

Overnight Red Velvet Cake French Toast Casserole

This rich, decadent Overnight Red Velvet Cake French Toast Casserole starts with your favorite red velvet cake mix, is put together the night before, and then simply popped in the oven in the next morning- a perfect Valentine's Day weekend morning treat!

I am pretty much a fan of any delicious breakfast I can assemble the night before, pop in the fridge, and then just bake the next morning.  You know, pretty much any easy breakfast casserole. ;)

I have created a few overnight french toast casseroles in my day by now, but I have to admit it- this Overnight Red Velvet Cake French Toast Casserole is by far my favorite! 

It is rich.  It is decadent.  It is creamy. It is absolutely perfect for Valentine's Day weekend!

Overnight Pumpkin Pie Chai French Toast

This creamy Overnight Pumpkin Chai French Toast can be assembled the night before making it perfect for Thanksgiving breakfast & busy fall mornings...

Okay, so who doesn't love a recipe that you can throw together the night before, refrigerate, and then just simply pop in the oven when you first wake up, and 45 minutes later have a moist, delicious, decadent breakfast that is ready to be served?

I love overnight french toast casseroles.  I love pumpkin.  I love the spiciness of chai.  Oh, and I love, love, love coconut milk.  So I thought why not make an overnight french toast using all of my favorite fall flavors?

Irish Coffee French Toast Casserole

This delicious, make-ahead Irish Coffee French Toast Casserole is spiked with Irish cream, coffee, and whiskey...

I originally posted this recipe for Irish Coffee French Toast Casserole about two years ago for St. Patrick's Day.  The recipe itself has been always been amazing, but my photos of this recipe from two years ago were seriously lacking...

Cranberry-Ginger Eggnog French Toast for One

Grab some leftover rolls or bread & the eggnog from the fridge, and whip up this decadent Cranberry-Ginger Eggnog French Toast for One in less than 10 minutes...

Picture this for one second, folks- it is the morning after Christmas Day. You are up early, and the house is quiet. The kids are sleeping in after waking up super early the morning before to raid the gifts under the tree. 

You have a cup of coffee brewing & are just enjoying the stillness of the morning after the Christmas craziness of the day before. The only thing missing is a warm plate of french toast sitting in front of you.

But you don't want to drag out everything to make french toast. Or stand over the stove flipping the egg soaked pieces of bread. Plus, the delicious smell of homemade french toast is just sure to wake up the entire family, and there goes your much deserved quiet morning to yourself.

But wait! I have the perfect solution for this little day after Christmas dilemma of yours. ;) How about french toast just for one that you can make in your microwave? 

Grab some rolls or that loaf of bread leftover from Christmas dinner & the eggnog from the fridge, & whip up this decadent Cranberry-Ginger Eggnog French Toast for One in less than 10 minutes...

Chai Tea Latte French Toast for One

This single serving Chai Tea Latte French Toast for One is sweet & spicy, yet comforting & creamy. A perfect breakfast idea for a crisp fall morning...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Oregon Chai®. The opinions and text are all mine.

My youngest has been back in school for a few weeks now, and we have finally settled into a good routine. The spontaneous craziness of summer break is behind us, and the chaotic business of the holiday season hasn't arrived just yet. As a work at home mama, this little lull between the start of the new school year and the hectic & busy whirlwind of the fall & winter holidays is my time to breathe in deep and exhale. My time to carve out a little time for myself and recharge.

Once I have sent my daughter off to school in the morning, I like to take a few moments to relax and get centered before diving head first into my blog work. One of my favorite ways to do just that is to whip up a quick & easy breakfast treat like this Chai Tea Latte French Toast for One. This single serving French toast recipe is sweet & spicy, yet comforting & creamy. A perfect breakfast idea for a crisp fall morning!

Apple Pie French Toast for One

This perfectly portioned for one Apple Pie French Toast takes just a handful ingredients and a few minutes to make in your microwave...

Okay, you all. I have another apple pie inspired recipe for you guys today! And yes, I am well aware that I just shared my Easy Apple Pie Trail Mix recipe with you all last week. ;) But you see, I have apple pie on the brain lately. 

I am totally craving the combo of sweet apples with cinnamon and sugar, but I am not quite ready to dive into full-on pie baking mode yet. Mostly because it still feels like summer here. Like in the 80's with some humidity. I definitely have no desire to kick on the oven and bake when I am still have to have the AC on pretty much all hours of the day. Where is the crisp fall weather at already?? Because I am SO ready for jeans and flannels, okay? 

Until the temperatures drop and it actually starts to feel like fall around here, I will satisfy my apple pie cravings without heating up the kitchen with this easy to make Apple Pie French Toast for One. This perfectly portioned for one french toast in a mug takes just a handful ingredients and a few minutes to make in your microwave...

Happy Birthday Cake Batter French Toast

Surprise the birthday guy or gal with this fuss-free & festive cake batter flavored baked french toast...

First, I have to start this post by wishing my very lucky husband a very Happy Birthday today! :) I won't tell you all just how old that he is, but I will say that he is now a tad bit closer to 40 than 35.

Just a tad. ;)

I love to give him a hard time because he is older than me.... even if it is by less than 6 months.

But he is still older than me. :P

I originally made this sprinkle-rific breakfast for my own birthday back in September (yep, I have been holding out on you all this long).  And today I am celebrating my husband's birthday on the blog by finally sharing this fun, rainbow sprinkle packed Happy Birthday Cake Batter French Toast with you all!  

Pumpkin Pecan French Toast for One

Transform a couple of pieces of leftover bread or rolls into this quick and easy Pumpkin Pecan French Toast for One...

Before we jump head first into the land of all things peppermint, gingerbread, and eggnog flavored, I have one last pumpkin recipe to share with you all for the fall season. (I swear, this is the last one!) 

And this one is perfect if you happen to have a couple of leftover rolls or some bread from that Thanksgiving dinner. ;) It is a super quick and easy to make Pumpkin Pecan French Toast for One! 

Maybe you had a lot of guests over for that big dinner. Maybe you need a little quiet time to yourself after the hustle & bustle of those Black Friday sales. Maybe you need to get up just a bit earlier than everyone else this holiday weekend to carve out a little time for yourself because that is the only me time that you are going to get until Monday. 

But regardless of why you are looking to get a little alone time one morning this weekend, this french toast in a mug should definitely join you. In less than 8 minutes, you can be enjoying this moist pumpkin french toast with crunchy pecans. Drizzle a little maple syrup over top, and it's heaven, my friends...

Strawberry Explosion French Toast Roll-Ups

Packed with not just one but two types of yogurt, these Strawberry Explosion French Toast Roll-Ups are sure to keep the kiddos fueled & focused right up until that lunch bell rings...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Dannon® Oikos® Greek Yogurt and Danimals® Kids Smoothies. The opinions and text are all mine.

Well, folks... it's that time of the year again! The kiddos are heading back to school soon or maybe have already started back like my youngest has this past week. And while there are definitely crazy busy school mornings where I end up sending my daughter out the door to catch the bus with a breakfast bar in hand, most mornings I try to whip up something that will keep her full & fueled until lunch time.

One of my favorite ways to do this is by incorporating calcium rich yogurt into her back to school breakfasts. Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is packed with protein that stays with my daughter right through until the lunch bell rings.

Irish Coffee French Toast Casserole {Spiked! Recipe Challenge}

St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow, and I know quite a few of you may be celebrating all things green tonight.  So I am giving you all an Irish Cream spiked french toast casserole that you can put together before you head out the door for the evening.  You just have to wake up tomorrow morning, preheat the oven, and then pop it in the oven.  No matter how much tonight hurts tomorrow morning, you all could manage that much, right? ;)

What you will need:

4 eggs, beaten

1 14 oz can of coconut milk

1 cup of strongly brewed coffee

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream

1 tsp vanilla

1 shot of Irish whiskey (I used Jameson. This is optional, but it isn't truly Irish coffee unless there is a little whiskey in it, right? ;))

About 8 slices of day old French or Italian bread (would also be great with Irish soda bread if you happen to have some of that lying around ;) )

Spray a 13x9 inch baking pan with cooking spray.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat your 4 eggs.  Whisk in the coconut milk until well incorporated.

Add in the rest of the ingredients- the coffee through the whiskey- and continue whisking.  

Slice your day old bread into 8 thick slices.  Arrange the bread slices in a double layer in your prepared baking pan.

Now pour your egg/coconut milk/coffee mixture over top of the layered bread slices.  Using the back of a wooden spoon, press the down the bread slices into the liquid to make sure each layer is absorbing it.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight.

The next morning just preheat your oven to 350 degrees, take your french toast casserole out of the fridge, and bake for 40-45 minutes.   It should be somewhat set in the middle and the edges should be crispy and golden when done.

I served my Irish Coffee French Toast casserole with a simple sprinkling of powdered sugar. Fresh whipped cream would also be wonderful with this.

Tuesday marks the start of submissions for the second ever Spiked! Recipe Challenge.  I have to admit- I am pretty excited about the recipe ingredient for this month- Irish Cream!  Even if you happened to miss the Spiked! Challenge sign-ups, you can still get in on the fun.  Just be sure that the Spiked! button is in your actual post & you come back here to link up your Irish Cream spiked recipe posts on Tuesday and Wednesday. :)  You can grab the HTML for the button here.

Are you all ready for Tuesday's Spiked! Recipe Challenge submissions?  I can't wait to see everyone's recipes! :)

Irish Coffee French Toast Casserole

by Frugal Foodie Mama

Prep Time: Overnight

Cook Time: 40-45 minutes

6043830

Ingredients (serves 6-8)

• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 14 oz can of coconut milk
• 1 cup of strongly brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup Bailey's Irish Cream
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 shot of Irish whiskey (I used Jameson)
• About 8 slices of day old French or Italian bread

Instructions

Spray a 13x9 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat your 4 eggs. Whisk in the coconut milk until well incorporated.

Add in the rest of the ingredients- the coffee through the whiskey- and continue whisking.

Slice your day old bread into 8 thick slices. Arrange the bread slices in a double layer in your prepared baking pan.

Now pour your egg/coconut milk/coffee mixture over top of the layered bread slices. Using the back of a wooden spoon, press the down the bread slices into the liquid to make sure each layer is absorbing it.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator overnight.

The next morning just preheat your oven to 350 degrees, take your french toast casserole out of the fridge, and bake for 40-45 minutes. It should be somewhat set in the middle and the edges should be crispy and golden when done.

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Pinspiration in the Kitchen- Creme Brulee French Toast

I first saw this recipe when watching The Chew a couple of months ago, and instantly went online to find the recipe on the show's site and get that thing pinned. ;) And then I forgot about it.  Yeah, I know that I am not the only one who has pinned something that looked amazing and then forgot about it in a sea of Pinterest-inspired yumminess.  Luckily for me (and for you!), that very same episode re-aired earlier this week.  I decided that it would have to be our breakfast for the morning after the 4th of July holiday.

For the recipe for the Creme Brulee French Toast, click here.

I love that the whole thing is thrown together the night before, and you could change up the recipe easily.  I didn't have any Brandy or Triple Sec, so I used some whipped cream flavor vodka instead.  (I am thinking next time that I might try Kahlua. ;) )  You could also just leave out all the alcohol and add extra vanilla extract, or even a flavored extract like coconut.

This french toast was moist and decadent.  I topped mine with a little drizzle of maple syrup and fresh whipped cream.  It is so incredibly easy to make homemade whipped cream that you really have no excuse not to whip some up for your french toast.  Just pour heavy whipping cream with a few tablespoons of sugar in a bowl and beat with a whisk attachment for 3-4 minutes.  That's it!

To go directly for this pin for repinning, click here.

12 Festive Holiday Morning Breakfast Recipes

From simple & easy to impressive & well worth the extra effort, you are sure to find the perfect Christmas morning breakfast idea for your family in this collection of 12 Festive Holiday Morning Breakfast Recipes...

In case you all didn't get the memo yet, Christmas is less than one week away! And surprisingly, I am not in panic mode right now. For once, I was on top of it all this month. 








The gift shopping & cookie baking are all squared away. The Christmas cards were sent out over a week ago (pssssttt... usually I don't get around to getting cards sent out at all, so this is truly a Christmas miracle!). I have even met all of my holiday deadlines for the blog. 








In fact, this *might* be my last blog post of 2018. But I may end up churning out at least one more post for you all before we say hello to 2019. ;) Stay tuned, folks...








Today's post is about a little something that I hold dear & near to my heart every holiday season- Christmas morning breakfast. 

Once the chaos & excitement of the gift unwrapping is done & over with and we are on our second viewing of A Christmas Story on TNT, I like to whip up a special breakfast for the family. Like these 12 Festive Holiday Morning Breakfast Recipes I am sharing with you all today.







From pancakes to french toast casseroles to cinnamon rolls, you are sure to find the perfect holiday morning breakfast idea for your family in this collection of festive recipes...

Cinnamon-Sugar English Muffin Casserole

This simple & delicious Cinnamon-Sugar English Muffin Casserole can be made the night before making it the perfect breakfast for a busy weekday morning or a laid back weekend brunch...

Post updated 9/4/19- This crowd-pleasing Cinnamon-Sugar English Muffin Casserole deserved some updated photos. I did leave one of the originals down below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face lift. ;)

I have to admit that the creation of this recipe came about because of a package of English muffins that somehow got pushed to the back of our bread box and then was buried by a couple of loaves of bread. 

About 5 or 6 days later as I was finishing up one of the loaves of bread making sandwiches for lunch, I spotted that package of English muffins stuffed back there in the corner. 

I let out an immediate sigh, grabbed the package, and started to head to the trash can with them. I mean, they weren't bad but they were definitely far from being fresh at this point. 

As I started to push the door of the trash can open, a light bulb went off...

What do I do with day old loaves of French or Italian bread??

I make french toast casseroles! So, why couldn't I do the same with less than fresh English muffins? I figure it couldn't hurt to give it a go, and the results were absolutely delicious, folks! :)