With the holidays upon us, I have been dying to make a big ol’ breakfast casserole – that could feed a bunch of people. I settled on doing a cinnamon french toast bake – but you know me – I can’t JUST do cinnamon french toast! I had to add bacon AND maple sausage! Yum!
This is a super simple breakfast to put together and it’s a french toast bake without having to leave it sit overnight. I really don’t eat much bread – so I didn’t want to buy a whole loaf of bread – so I bought some giant cinnamon donuts from Meijer (using Shipt of course) and used those!
What’s in French Toast Casserole?
This casserole is so delicious and is great for any family gathering or just a big brunch!
- breakfast sausage – I like to use the maple variety
- thick cut bacon
- donuts – I used cinnamon roll glazed donuts – but you could use regular glazed donuts, regular cinnamon rolls or even Hawaiian bread/rolls – any bread that’s a little sweet
- half and half
- heavy cream
- eggs
- maple syrup
- vanilla
- pumpkin pie spice
- salt
How do you make french toast casserole?
French toast casserole – or you can also think of it as a breakfast bread pudding – is really simple!
- Preheat the oven and spray a large baking dish
- Cook bacon and sausage – you can cook them together if you like – the bacon takes a little longer. Be sure to under cook them a little since they’ll cook more when you bake them.
- Drain the bacon and sausage and set aside
- Chop your “bread” into large pieces and place it in your baking dish.
- Add your extras – like bacon and maple sausage (or regular if you don’t have the maple) – next time I’m adding blueberries!
- In a separate bowl – mix together your batter ingredients (eggs, cream, half and half, vanilla, syrup, pumpkin pie spice and salt)
- Pour over the bread and sausage in the baking dish
- Press the bread down so it’s in the cream mixture
- Bake for 45 minutes
- Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving – it’s super hot!
- Serve with maple syrup!!
I love that this french toast casserole recipe is very flexible – you could use different kinds of bread, add fruit, leave out the pumpkin pie spice and use cinnamon & apples if you like – so many ideas!!!
This French Toast bake is the perfect breakfast for Christmas morning! You’re all warm and cozy and this is perfect to get you through the excitement of opening presents – but tide you over until your big dinner that afternoon or evening.
This easy french toast bake is made with no flour and no sugar. I love how simple it is – After you brown the sausage and cook the bacon – you can have it together in just a few minutes! Be sure to undercook your bacon a little – mainly you just don’t want it crispy – because it will continue to cook a little when you bake it.
Other Breakfast Ideas for a Crowd
This maple sausage and bacon french toast bake is so delicious – I promise the whole family will love it! But if you want some other options for a big family breakfast – here are some of my favorites!
– Breakfast Gumbo
– Loaded Farmhouse Breakfast Egg Casserole
– Copycat Sunliner Diner Corned Beef Hash
– Baked Scrambled Eggs
Maple Bacon & Sausage French Toast Bake
Equipment
- Le Creuset Oval Baker
Ingredients
- 1 lb maple breakfast sausage or regular
- 3 slices bacon cooked, diced in large chunks
- 5 large cinnamon glazed donuts 5-6 cups, cut into 1" cubes – you can also used regular glazed donuts, cinnamon rolls or even thick sliced Hawaiian bread or rolls
- 1 cup half and half
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 eggs
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- Brown bacon and drain (undercook it)3 slices bacon
- Brown sausage and drain (I tried doing them together – the bacon takes about 3 minutes longer)1 lb maple breakfast sausage
- Place cubed donuts in baking dish and set aside.5 large cinnamon glazed donuts
- Add sausage and bacon to donuts
- In separate bowl, whisk half and half, cream, eggs, syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice and salt.1 cup half and half, 1 cup heavy cream, 6 eggs, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp vanilla
- Pour egg mixture over donuts and gently press all bread into liquid until all bread is coated.
- Bake 40-45 minutes or until golden brown on top. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes for easier serving.
- Top with additional maple syrup and enjoy!
Notes
– Not a fan of sausage or bacon? You can just use all bacon or all sausage. If going with all bacon – I would double the bacon to 6 slices.
– Be sure to UNDERCOOK the bacon a little – you don’t want it crispy – it will continue to cook when you bake it.
– Splurge and use real maple syrup – it’s worth it!
Phyllis says
What would be your suggestions as to what to serve with Maple Bacon & Sausage French Toast Bake if having a brunch?
FoodHussy says
I would definitely do some scrambled eggs (i have a great baked scrambled egg recipe) – i think fruit would be a great balance too – and maybe some avocado toast? Let me know when I should be there! 😉
Sandra Meyer says
What do you think about using apple fritters as a bread base????
FoodHussy says
omg – i love that!!!!
Marilyn Bauer says
Your recipe calls for 2 tsp. Tblsp pumpkin pie spice. Which is it….tsp or Tblsp?
FoodHussy says
teaspoons – sorry i’ll fix that!
Sandra Meyer says
How do you think using frozen french toast sticks that have been thawed would be? And adding maple syrup butter at the end.
FoodHussy says
You could definitely swap out the donuts with french toast sticks. It’s baking for 45 minutes – so I don’t think you’d even need to thaw them. And yes – maple syrup butter would be yum – but taste first – it’s pretty rich!