Description
A decadent overnight breakfast casserole with custard-soaked brioche, warm cinnamon flavor, and a crispy pecan streusel topping. Perfect for holiday mornings or brunch gatherings!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Casserole:
- 1 loaf brioche or challah bread (16oz/450g), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- For Serving:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Prepare bread: Arrange bread cubes in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make custard: Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until smooth.
- Soak bread: Pour custard evenly over bread. Press down gently to submerge all pieces. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
- Make topping: Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Refrigerate separately overnight.
- Bake: Next morning, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle topping over soaked bread. Bake 45-55 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Serve: Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup and berries.
Notes
- Bread alternatives: French bread or croissants work well
- Make ahead: Assemble completely 1-2 days in advance
- Dairy-free option: Use coconut milk and vegan butter
- Nut-free: Omit pecans or substitute with oats
- For extra richness: Add 1/2 cup cream cheese to custard
- Leftovers: Reheat slices in toaster oven
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus overnight soaking)
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast/Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of casserole
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 195mg