Select Page

1
2
3
4
5
6

Butter Pecan French Toast Breakfast Casserole

Your family will fall in love with this Overnight Butter Pecan French Toast Breakfast Casserole recipe.  It’s perfect for Christmas morning breakfast.  You can assemble it the night before and wake up to a warm, custardy, french toast casserole with pockets of brown suger-y, crunchy, buttery bits nestled in between the lovely velvety bread pieces.

Great Breakfast for Large Groups

You’ll want to try the large group French Toast Breakfast Casserole for a Crowd recipe next time you’re cooking breakfast for 50 or more.  Your family reunion or girls camp will rave.   Made and assembled the night before, it requires minimal effort in the morning and is met with maximum excitement hot out of the oven.   The slices are much smaller than the recipe for 12, but if you serve several other items, they’ll be perfect.

What do you think?  Doesn’t this look good.

I got the idea for this from a local restaurant.   We went there with friends for dinner and they served the most amazing Butter Pecan Bread Pudding.  It was light and fluffy, with marvelous surprise chunks of crunchy brown sugar coated pecans nestled in between the bread.  It was so good we went back the next week.  And this time I was served a dense gummy lump of sodden bread with minimal pecans with absolutely no crunchy suger-y coating.  Sigh.  Since we generally conclude we can get better meals at home, I was faced with the challenge of recreating it.  I think you’ll be blown away with the results.  So much for that restaurant.

What would you serve with this?

I just recently served this for our Church Christmas Breakfast.  Here’s the menu with links to the other items.

Mini Sweet Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole

Mixed Fruit Salad with an Orange Vanilla Glaze

Mini Ham & Cheese Sliders

French Toast Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecan Streusel Topping

Pin for Later

Aloha Dreams

Welcome to Aloha Dreams!

I'm so glad you dropped by.  I'm Betsy.  Here you'll find my favorite fabulous, trusted recipes - everything from delicious, quick meals for your family to wonderful classics made easy.

I'm also here to help you with large group recipes from 20 to 200.  So next opportunity you get to cook for a large group - Say 'Yes!'  Then relax. I've got your back.

Ever wished you could build your dream home? How about building your dream home in a tropical paradise?  Join me, room by room, as we design and build a fabulous dream home in Hawaii!

Or Make Now

Family Size

5 from 2 votes
Betsy’s Butter Pecan Overnight French Toast Casserole
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 

This may just be the best French Toast Casserole you'll ever have.  The bread is sweet, but not too sweet and the crunchy butter pecan topping really takes it to the next level.  You'll enjoy it with, and without, syrup.

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Betsy Edwards
Ingredients
Praline Topping:
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter , softened
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar , packed
  • 1/2 cup pecans , chopped
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 1 (16 – 20 ounce) loaf Italian bread , cut into 1-inch slices then torn into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 8 large eggs
  • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
2 nights before serving:
  1. Slice the bread in 1 inch slices. Tear each slice into 1 inch pieces. Put the pieces of bread in the pan in an even layer. Let sit out on the counter, uncovered.
  2. Combine all ingredients for Praline Topping in a medium bowl, blend well, cover and set aside.
  3. Night before serving:
  4. Using 1 tablespoon butter, grease a 9" x 13" pan or deep 2-quart casserole.
  5. In a large bowl, combine 8 eggs, 3 cups heavy cream, 1 cup milk, 5 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, ¾ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon salt. Beat with a whisk until blended. Pour mixture over the bread slices. Using a wide flat spatula, mix by gently lifting and rearranging the bread pieces, making sure pieces all are covered evenly.

MAKE AHEAD NOTE: Can be made up to this point, covered with foil and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. It’s best if it sits at least 8 hours.
  1. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread, pressing most of it into the spaces between the bread pieces. Bake about 40 minutes, or until puffed and lightly golden. Custard should be set, but still slightly wet.
  2. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.

Large Group

 

5 from 2 votes
Betsy’s Butter Pecan Overnight French Toast Casserole for a Large Group of 50
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
 
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Servings: 50 servings
Author: Betsy Edwards
Ingredients
Praline Topping:
  • 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter , softened
  • 1 cup light brown sugar , packed
  • 1 cup pecans , chopped
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 (16 – 20 ounce) loaves Italian bread , cut into 1-inch slices then torn into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 16 large eggs
  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 cups milk
  • 6 cups heavy cream
  • 4 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
Special Equipment
  • 1 21” x 13” x 3.5” Disposable Aluminum Pan Full Size Steam Table Pan
Instructions
2 nights before serving:
  1. Slice the bread in 1inch slices. Tear each slice into 1 inch pieces. Put the pieces of bread in the pan in an even layer. Let sit out on the counter, uncovered.
  2. Combine all ingredients for Praline Topping in a medium bowl, blend well and set aside.
  3. Night before serving:

  4. Using 1 tablespoon butter, grease a 21” x 13” x 3.5” disposable aluminum pan.

  5. In a large bowl, combine 16 eggs, 2 cups milk, 6 cups cream, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 4 teaspoons vanilla, 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Beat with a whisk until blended. Pour mixture over the bread slices. Using a wide flat spatula, mix by gently lifting and rearranging the bread pieces, making sure pieces all are covered evenly.

MAKE AHEAD NOTE: Can be made up to this point, covered with foil and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. It’s best if it sits at least 8 hours.
  1. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread, pressing most of it into the spaces between the bread pieces. Bake about 45 - 55 minutes, or until puffed and lightly golden. Custard should be set, but still slightly wet.

  2. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.

Looking for more fantastic Breakfasts for a Crowd?

There are many excellent choices on my Breakfast for a Crowd page here.  It’s got a wide selection of large group breakfast recipes. Including this one:

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole for a Crowd

6 Comments

  1. Lisa


    Made this French toast casserole for our church breakfast and got RAVE reviews. Many requests for the recipe, as well. It was an easy, cheap and delicious way to feed a crowd. We served it with frozen hash brown patties, thick sliced bacon and a fruit salad. There was a consensus that we should make it again!

    Reply
    • Betsy Edwards

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’ll be adding more casseroles for a group soon. Stay tuned…

      Reply
  2. Danielle


    If I need to cook two at a time in one oven, should I adjust the temp? And what does that do to the total cooking time? Will it double?

    Reply
    • Betsy Edwards

      I haven’t tried it, but if I were going to try it, I’d keep the temperature the same and plan on 50% more cooking time. They hold very well, so give yourself an extra hour to be safe, check frequently to see if they are done (knife inserted should come out without much liquid on it) and slightly undercooked is better than overcooked. Then I’d cover with foil to keep warm until ready to serve. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  3. Debra S. Pagan

    the students (high schoolers) are going to love this tater tot casserole. Thank you for doing all the hard work on expanding the recipe for me.

    Reply
    • Betsy Edwards

      You’re most welcome!

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Here’s some other fantastic recipes if you’re cooking breakfast.

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole for a Crowd

You’ll love this Delicious Easy Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole. They don’t get any quicker or easier than this! The great thing about this dish is that it comes together easily in 20 minutes night before and is simply the best Breakfast Casserole I’ve ever had. It’s the perfect Breakfast Casserole for your Crowd this holiday season. I’ve also included a smaller version which serves 12.

Breakfast Pizza for a Crowd

Who doesn’t love pizza for breakfast? This Meat Lovers Breakfast Pizzas really delivers. It re-heats well too, making a great morning for everyone!

Fabulous Cheesy Scrambled Eggs for a Crowd

These eggs will become your new favorite large group breakfast recipe. Every time I fix these eggs people constantly comment on how good they are. You’ll be very pleasantly surprised at how good baked scrambled eggs for a crowd can be.

Explore Aloha Dreams

Things to do Big Island of Hawaii
Dream Home Bathroom

EXPLORE

If you're planning a vacation to Hawaii, I've got you covered on the very best places to go!   From many amazing restaurants to incredible adventures in the surf and on land, this is your go-to source for unique and exciting things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Or just take a Virtual Vacation!!    Let's go!

SAY YES!

If you've been asked to cook for a large group activity, be it a Girl's Camp or a Graduation Party, say Yes!  I'm here to help.  From Menus to Game Plans to Recipes, I'll help you keep on schedule and turn out amazingly delicious food if you're cooking for a crowd!  My recipes are tested and trusted.    Let's cook! 

AHONUI

Ever wished you could build your dream home?  Like amazing house design and home building ideas?  Me too!  Join me as I design and build a home on the Big Island of Hawaii. Follow along while I design each room. Enjoy a front row seat for the entire amazing construction process.  Let's play!

PARTY

Would you like to throw a Luau, but not sure where to start?   Want to know how to build a tiki bar and roast a pig?  Here's everything you need to have a luau.  How about a Christmas Feast or even a fabulous dinner for your neighborhood supper club?  You've come to the right place.    Let's party!

Tropical Salad

Never miss a single Fabulous Recipe!

Sign UP today and ENJOY free Recipes & Party Ideas in your inbox.

(No spam - I promise!)

You have Successfully Subscribed!