Overnight Eggnog French Toast: The Perfect Holiday Breakfast Recipe
Overnight Eggnog French Toast is the ultimate festive upgrade to classic French toast. Imagine thick, fluffy slices of bread soaking overnight in a rich, spiced eggnog bath, absorbing all the delicious flavors. The best part? This make-ahead breakfast requires minimal effort on Christmas morning, leaving you free to enjoy the holiday with family and friends.
Eggnog: A holiday classic, but are you a fan?
While a glass of plain eggnog might not be my first choice, transform it into a delectable breakfast dish with buttery carbs and warm maple syrup, and I’m completely sold!
French toast is a Christmas morning staple in our home, and my mom, Noni, introduced me to this genius way of using eggnog a few years ago. It’s been a tradition ever since.
If you’re unfamiliar with eggnog, it boasts a subtly spiced flavor that works incredibly well as the base for a custard. Simply whisk in a touch of vanilla extract and allow thick slices of bread to soak overnight. This overnight eggnog French toast has quickly become a beloved Christmas recipe, offering a unique and flavorful twist on a traditional breakfast.
Looking for more holiday breakfast ideas? Be sure to check out my Make-Ahead Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting, Pumpkin French Toast Casserole, and The Best Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing. These recipes are guaranteed to impress your family and friends this holiday season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Overnight Eggnog French Toast is more than just a delicious breakfast; it’s a holiday game-changer. Here’s why:
- It’s a make-ahead masterpiece. Prepare it the night before, and all that’s left to do is cook and enjoy. This saves you precious time during the hectic holiday season, allowing you to relax and savor the moment.
- It’s perfect for using up leftover eggnog. This recipe calls for just ¾ cup of eggnog, making it an ideal way to use up the last bit of that carton before it goes to waste. Reduce food waste and create a memorable breakfast – it’s a win-win!
- It’s incredibly fluffy and flavorful. The overnight soak ensures that every slice of bread is infused with the rich eggnog flavor, resulting in a French toast that’s unbelievably fluffy, moist, and bursting with holiday spices.
- It’s easily doubled or tripled. Whether you’re feeding a small family or a large gathering, this recipe can easily be scaled up to accommodate any number of guests. Simply double or triple the ingredients to make enough for everyone.
- It’s a crowd-pleaser. Eggnog French Toast is a unique and festive twist on a classic breakfast dish that is sure to impress everyone at the table. It’s a perfect way to add a touch of holiday cheer to your morning.
Essential Ingredients for Eggnog French Toast
To create this delightful Overnight Eggnog French Toast, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Each element contributes to the overall flavor and texture of the dish, ensuring a memorable breakfast experience:
- Eggnog: The star of the show! Opt for a good quality eggnog, as it will significantly impact the final taste. The creamy texture of eggnog creates a wonderfully rich and decadent custard base.
- Eggs: These help to thicken the custard, creating a luscious coating for the bread. Plus, who can resist the slightly browned, perfectly “eggy” exterior of French toast? It’s a breakfast staple for a reason.
- Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a common ingredient in eggnog, so adding a bit more enhances the warm, comforting spices. For me, cinnamon is an absolute must-have in any French toast batter.
- Sugar: Since eggnog is already sweet, you only need a tablespoon of additional sugar to help caramelize the exterior of the bread, creating that irresistible golden-brown crust.
- Vanilla Extract: This adds a touch of sweetness and aromatic flavor, complementing the spices in the eggnog. Choose pure vanilla extract (or use homemade vanilla extract!) for the richest, most authentic flavor.
- Thick-Cut Bread or Texas Toast: The type of bread you use is crucial. You’ll want thick slices of sturdy white bread that can withstand an overnight soak without falling apart. Brioche or challah would also work well, adding a subtle richness to the French toast.
- Unsalted Butter: Cooking French toast in unsalted butter adds a depth of flavor that’s simply unbeatable. However, if you prefer, you can substitute coconut oil or a neutral oil like canola.
- Maple Syrup: Need I say more? Maple syrup is an essential accompaniment to any French toast dish, providing the perfect touch of sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Refer to the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and their precise quantities.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Overnight Eggnog French Toast
This Overnight Eggnog French Toast recipe is incredibly easy to follow, even for beginner cooks. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you create the perfect holiday breakfast:
- Prepare the Custard: In a 13×9-inch baking dish, whisk together the eggnog, eggs, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined. Ensure that all the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated to create a smooth and even custard. Before you begin, make sure that the bread has been sliced.
- Soak the Bread: Add the bread slices to the pan, turning them to coat evenly in the eggnog custard. Arrange the slices in a single layer, ensuring that each piece is fully submerged. If necessary, you can trim the bread to fit snugly in the pan. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Cook the French Toast: The next morning, heat a large sauté pan or griddle over medium-low heat. Add about 2 tablespoons of butter to the pan and let it melt completely. Once the butter has melted, add two or three slices of bread (be careful not to overcrowd the pan). Cook the French toast until golden brown and slightly crisp on the bottom (about 5 minutes). Carefully flip the slices and continue cooking until cooked through and browned on the other side.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the cooked French toast to a serving platter and repeat the process with the remaining bread slices. Top the warm, golden-brown French toast with a generous drizzle of maple syrup, and serve immediately.
Kelly’s Note: If you’re short on time, you can skip the overnight soak and immediately pan-fry the French toast. However, the longer the bread soaks, the more custardy, pillowy, and flavorful it will become!
Kelly’s Expert Recipe Tips for Perfect French Toast
Here are some of my top tips for achieving French toast perfection:
- Don’t Like Eggnog?: If you’re not a fan of eggnog, don’t worry! You can easily substitute half-and-half for the eggnog and enjoy this delicious breakfast year-round. The taste will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Avoid Thin Bread: It is essential to use thick slices of bread to avoid overly soggy French toast. The thickness of the bread will ensure the bread will retain their texture after soaking overnight. Thin slices will fall apart and result in a soggy mess.
- Cook Low and Slow: French toast can burn on the outside before the inside is cooked through if cooked at too high of a heat. That’s why I recommend cooking over medium-low heat, allowing the inside to cook slowly.
- Keep it Warm: Preheat the oven to 225 degrees and place the cooked french toast on a baking rack to keep warm. This will prevent the French toast from getting cold while you continue cooking.
- Sweet and Savory: It is best served with something sweet and savory. Bacon, or fruit are great complements to the rich french toast.
Storage Tips: Keeping Your French Toast Fresh
Leftover French toast can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm in a skillet over medium heat or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eggnog French Toast
Why is my overnight French toast soggy?
Using sturdy, thick-sliced bread is important for overnight French toast. Thinly sliced bread tends to become overly soggy when soaked for extended periods.
Can you keep French toast batter overnight?
Yes, you can absolutely soak French toast in the batter overnight in the refrigerator. In fact, some recipes, like this eggnog French toast, are specifically designed for overnight soaking.
Can you make French toast ahead of time and reheat?
Yes, you can make French toast ahead of time and reheat it. However, it may lose some of its crispness unless reheated in a skillet. You can also re-warm French toast in a 350°F (175°C) oven or toaster oven for a few minutes.
More Delicious French Toast Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this Overnight Eggnog French Toast, be sure to check out these other tasty French toast recipes:
- Banana and Nutella Stuffed French Toast
- Banana Bread French Toast
- Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast
- Baked French Toast Sticks
- Hot Chocolate French Toast
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Overnight Eggnog French Toast
Kelly Senyei
12 hours
10 minutes
30 minutes
4
servings
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup eggnog
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 slices thick-cut bread or Texas Toast
- Unsalted butter, for cooking
- Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- In a 13×9-inch baking pan, whisk together the eggnog, eggs, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla extract.
- Add the slices of bread to the pan, turning to coat, then arrange them in a single layer.
- Cover the pan securely with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight.
- When ready to serve, heat a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the pan, and once it has melted, add two or three slices of the French toast. Allow them to cook until golden brown and slightly crisped, about 5 minutes, then flip them once and continue cooking until they are cooked through.
- Transfer the French toast to serving plates then repeat the cooking process with the remaining slices of toast.
- Top the French toast with maple syrup and serve.
Kelly’s Notes
- You can easily substitute half-and-half for the eggnog and make this delicious breakfast year-round.
- You’ll want to use thick slices of bread here, which will retain their shape after soaking overnight. Thin slices will fall apart.
- French toast can burn before cooked through if cooked at too high of a heat. That’s why I recommend medium-low.
- To keep the French toast warm while the remainder frys up or you finish making the rest of breakfast, place it into a very low (225°F) oven.
- I love serving French toast alongside something savory, like bacon. You could also try my Homemade Candied Bacon.
- Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition
Calories:
315
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
33