Easy Weekend Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe

Crafting a mouthwatering slow cooker french toast casserole can turn an ordinary morning into a delightful culinary adventure.

Soft bread cubes soak up a rich custard blend, creating a comforting breakfast treat.

Mornings become magical when you wake up to the gentle aroma of cinnamon and vanilla wafting through your kitchen.

Minimal effort yields maximum flavor in this foolproof dish that feels like a warm hug.

Weekend brunch transforms from mundane to extraordinary with this simple yet impressive recipe.

Creamy, custardy, and perfectly spiced, this casserole promises to become your new breakfast favorite.

You’ll want to gather everyone around the table and savor each delectable bite.

What Makes Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole So Good

• Hands-Off Cooking: Minimal effort transforms simple ingredients into a decadent dessert without constant monitoring or complex techniques.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delivers nostalgic warmth with rich, custardy texture that appeals to kids and adults, making it perfect for family gatherings or potlucks.
• Customization Champion: Easily adaptable with optional mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruits, or different nuts to match personal taste preferences and create unique variations.
• Budget-Friendly Indulgence: Transforms humble day-old bread into a luxurious dessert, reducing food waste while creating an impressive sweet treat that feels gourmet without expensive ingredients.

Items To Grab For Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

• French Bread or Brioche: A soft, rich bread that provides the perfect texture and absorbs the custard beautifully.
• Whole Milk: Adds creamy richness and helps create a smooth custard base.
• Heavy Cream: Contributes to the luxurious, velvety texture of the pudding.

• Eggs: Act as the primary binding agent that holds the pudding together and creates a custardy consistency.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide layers of sweetness and depth of flavor to the dessert.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic sweetness to enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Bring warm, comforting spice notes that complement the bread pudding.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the other flavors in the dish.

• Pecans: Offer a delightful crunch and nutty undertone to the creamy dessert.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides a light, sweet dusting for visual appeal.
• Maple Syrup: Adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness as a final touch.

• Butter: Ensures the slow cooker is greased to prevent sticking and aid in easy serving.

How To Cook Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Slow Cooker

Grab your 6-quart slow cooker and generously coat the entire interior with butter. This creates a non-stick surface and makes serving a breeze.

Step 2: Cube Bread

Take your day-old French bread or brioche and slice it into chunky, substantial cubes. Let these pieces sit out briefly to dry slightly, which helps them soak up the delicious custard more effectively.

Step 3: Whisk Eggs

In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs until they transform into a smooth, consistent mixture. This creates the perfect base for your creamy custard.

Step 4: Create Creamy Liquid Base

Pour in whole milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to blend with the eggs. You’re aiming for a silky, well-combined liquid that feels luxurious.

Step 5: Add Flavor Enhancers

• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Stir until everything dissolves completely and distributes evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 6: Combine Bread and Custard

Gently fold bread cubes into the custard. Ensure each piece gets fully coated without breaking the bread into tiny pieces.

Step 7: Transfer to Slow Cooker

Carefully transfer the saturated bread mixture into the prepared slow cooker. Spread it evenly and press down gently to create a compact layer.

Step 8: Sprinkle Nutty Topping

Scatter chopped pecans across the top, distributing them uniformly for a consistent crunch and nutty flavor.

Step 9: Slow Cook

Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours. You’re looking for golden brown edges and a center that’s set but still slightly soft.

Step 10: Rest and Set

Once cooking is complete, turn off the slow cooker. Let the casserole rest for 15 minutes, allowing it to set and become easier to serve.

Step 11: Final Touches

Just before serving, dust the top with a light snowfall of powdered sugar and drizzle maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

Helpful Hints For Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

• Prevent Sticking: Thoroughly grease the slow cooker with butter to ensure easy removal and serving of the bread pudding.
• Bread Preparation: Use day-old French bread or brioche, cutting into thick, uniform cubes to enhance custard absorption and texture.
• Custard Mixing Technique: Whisk eggs, milk, and cream smoothly, incorporating sugars and spices until completely dissolved for a silky, well-integrated base.
• Layering for Perfection: Gently fold bread cubes into custard, coating evenly without breaking, then spread carefully in the slow cooker for consistent texture.
• Finishing Touches: Sprinkle pecans on top, cook until golden brown, and finish with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup drizzle for an irresistible dessert.

Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole With A Twist

• Gluten-Free Bread Pudding: Replace French bread with gluten-free bread cubes or almond flour-based bread to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Comfort Dessert: Substitute eggs with mashed bananas or silken tofu, use coconut milk instead of dairy, and swap butter for coconut oil to create a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of granulated sugar, and reduce overall sugar content while maintaining rich flavor profile.
• Tropical Fruit Infusion: Mix in diced pineapple, mango, or coconut flakes to transform the classic recipe into a vibrant, island-inspired dessert with refreshing fruit notes.

Perfect Pairings For Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

• Pair Rich Caramel Bourbon Sauce: Drizzle a homemade bourbon-infused caramel sauce over the bread pudding for an indulgent, grown-up twist that enhances the dessert's warm spices and creamy texture.
• Complement with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream alongside the bread pudding, creating a delightful temperature contrast and adding a smooth, cold element to the warm, custardy dessert.
• Match with Spiced Chai Latte: Brew a fragrant chai latte with warming spices like cardamom and ginger that beautifully echo the cinnamon and nutmeg in the bread pudding, offering a complementary beverage experience.

Save And Reheat Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring the bread pudding is completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover bread pudding with aluminum foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.
• Place individual serving on a microwave-safe plate, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute warmth evenly. Stop heating once warm to avoid rubbery texture.

Questions On Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole

• Why use day-old bread for this recipe?

Day-old bread is drier and absorbs the custard mixture better, creating a more cohesive and flavorful bread pudding with a perfect texture.

• Can I substitute the pecans with another nut?

Absolutely! Walnuts or almonds work great as alternatives, providing a similar crunch and nutty flavor to the dish.

• How do I know when the bread pudding is fully cooked?

The edges will turn golden brown, and the center should be set but still slightly soft. A gentle shake of the slow cooker will show a slight jiggle in the middle, indicating it’s perfectly done.

• Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can use gluten-free bread cubes as a substitute for the French bread or brioche, maintaining the same delicious texture and flavor.

Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes – 4 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Breakfast dreams come alive with slow cooker French toast casserole, blending custardy bread layers and sweet cinnamon magic. Hearty weekend mornings welcome this effortless make-ahead marvel that promises golden, caramelized edges and rich comfort you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread:

• 1 loaf day-old french bread or brioche
• 6 large eggs

Dairy:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter

Sweeteners and Spices:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp salt

Toppings:

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

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Instructions

1. Grease the interior of a 6-quart slow cooker thoroughly with butter to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
2. Slice the day-old French bread or brioche into thick, uniform cubes, allowing them to sit and slightly dry out for better absorption of the custard mixture.
3. Whisk eggs in a large mixing bowl until they become smooth and well-combined, creating a uniform base for the custard.
4. Pour whole milk and heavy cream into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to create a silky, integrated liquid foundation.
5. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the liquid mixture, stirring until all ingredients are completely dissolved and evenly distributed.
6. Gently fold bread cubes into the custard, ensuring each piece is completely coated and absorbs the flavorful liquid without breaking the bread into smaller fragments.
7. Transfer the saturated bread mixture into the prepared slow cooker, spreading it evenly and pressing down gently to create a compact layer.
8. Sprinkle chopped pecans across the top of the casserole, distributing them uniformly for consistent crunch and nutty flavor.
9. Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours, until the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft.
10. Once cooking is complete, turn off the slow cooker and let the casserole rest for 15 minutes to allow further setting and easier serving.
11. Dust the top with powdered sugar and drizzle maple syrup just before serving to add a final layer of sweetness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Create a non-stick surface by generously buttering the slow cooker, preventing any frustrating stuck-on bits and ensuring smooth serving.
• Use day-old bread for superior texture, allowing cubes to slightly dry out which helps them soak up the rich custard mixture more effectively without becoming soggy.
• Whisk eggs and dairy thoroughly to develop a silky, homogeneous base that guarantees even flavor distribution and a luxurious, creamy consistency.
• Customize the recipe by swapping pecans with almonds or walnuts, making it adaptable for different nut preferences or allergy considerations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3-4 hours
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg