Soft brioche soaks overnight in a cinnamon-vanilla custard, then bakes up golden with a buttery streusel. It’s an easy, make-ahead brunch that feels special.
10cupsbrioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubesday-old if possible
8large eggs
2cupswhole milk
1cupshalf-and-half
0.38cupsgranulated sugar
2tsppure vanilla extract
2tspground cinnamon (custard)
0.25tspground nutmeg
0.5tspfine sea salt (custard)
1tbspunsalted butter, softenedfor greasing the dish
0.67cupsall-purpose flourfor streusel
0.5cupslight brown sugar, lightly packedfor streusel
1tspground cinnamon (streusel)for streusel
0.13tspfine sea salt (streusel)a small pinch
4tbspunsalted butter, meltedfor streusel
0.5cupschopped pecansoptional
0.5cupsmaple syrupfor serving
Instructions
Preparation Steps
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with the softened butter.
Spread the bread cubes in the dish in an even layer.
Whisk eggs, milk, half-and-half, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
Pour the custard over the bread. Press gently so every piece absorbs liquid.
Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, at least 8 hours.
Stir flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
Drizzle in melted butter and mix until crumbles form. Fold in pecans.
Uncover the casserole. Let stand 15 minutes while heating oven to 350°F.
Sprinkle streusel evenly over the top. Bake 40–50 minutes until puffed and set.
Rest 10 minutes before serving. Drizzle with warm maple syrup.
Notes
Variation: Swap in cinnamon-swirl bread or add a cup of fresh berries under the streusel. For crunch without nuts, use oats instead of pecans. Leftovers reheat well in a 325°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave in short bursts; freeze slices tightly wrapped for up to 2 months.This recipe is an original creation inspired by classic Overnight French Toast Delight flavors. All ingredient ratios and instructions are independently developed.