Easy Overnight Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole

I’ll never forget the first time I had a version of this dish. It was at a church potluck a few years back, one of those crisp fall mornings where everyone brings their best brunch fare. Someone had brought a simple French toast bake, and while it was perfectly nice, my mind immediately started tinkering. I love the classic holiday pairing of cranberry and orange, and I knew it could transform that simple bake into something truly special. This Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole is the result of that little spark of inspiration.

Back in my kitchen, I started playing around. The first few attempts were good, but they were missing a certain something, a little bit of magic. I wanted a texture that was both soft and custardy in the middle, with a delightful crispy top. More importantly, I wanted a flavor that was bright and festive without being overly sweet.

The breakthrough came with two secret ingredients. First, I added chunks of softened cream cheese right into the layers of bread. This created these incredible little pockets of tangy, creamy goodness that perfectly balanced the tart cranberries. Then, for the spice blend, I added just a hint of cardamom. It’s a warm, slightly floral spice that makes everyone pause and ask, “What is that amazing flavor?” It’s my little twist that makes all the difference.

Skip to My Special Recipe!

Why This Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole Recipe Works

French toast casserole, sometimes called a strata or a bread pudding bake, has been a brunch favorite for decades. Its popularity comes from its sheer convenience. You can assemble the entire dish the night before, let it soak in that rich custard, and simply pop it in the oven in the morning. It’s the perfect solution for holiday mornings or when you have guests, because who wants to be standing over a hot skillet flipping individual slices of French toast?

The flavor combination of cranberry and orange is a timeless classic, especially around the fall and winter holidays. The bright, citrusy notes of the orange cut through the richness of the egg custard, while the cranberries provide these wonderful bursts of tartness that keep every bite interesting. It’s a pairing that just screams comfort and celebration, making this dish a natural fit for Thanksgiving or Christmas morning breakfast.

What makes my version of Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole a true standout is the addition of cream cheese and a touch of cardamom. The cream cheese is the real game changer. As the casserole bakes, the little chunks soften and melt into the bread, creating pockets of creamy, tangy flavor that are just heavenly. It adds a luxurious richness that you just don’t get in a standard recipe.

And then there’s the cardamom. It’s my secret weapon in so many baked goods. It has a complex flavor that’s a little bit citrusy, a little bit spicy, and wonderfully aromatic. It complements the orange and cinnamon beautifully, adding a layer of warmth and sophistication that elevates the whole dish. It turns a familiar favorite into something that feels gourmet and thoughtfully prepared, all with one simple addition.

Ingredients for Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole

Getting the right ingredients is the first step to a perfect casserole. The quality of each component really adds up to create the final, delicious result. Here’s what you’ll need to make my special Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole.

The star of this recipe, and my special twist, is the cream cheese. I use a full-fat block of cream cheese, not the whipped kind in a tub. The block style holds its shape when you cut it into chunks, which is what allows for those delightful creamy pockets throughout the casserole. Let it soften on the counter for about 30 minutes before you start, which will make it easier to distribute evenly.

Another crucial element is the bread. You want a rich, sturdy bread that can soak up the custard without turning to mush. Brioche or challah are my top choices because their high egg and butter content adds to the richness of the final dish. If you can, use bread that is a day or two old, as slightly stale bread absorbs the liquid even better.

• For the Casserole:
  • 1 (1-pound) loaf of brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into small chunks
• For the Pecan Streusel Topping:
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • Pinch of salt

For the liquid components, using freshly squeezed orange juice and fresh zest makes a world of difference. The flavor is so much brighter and more intense than what you get from a carton. The half-and-half provides the perfect level of creaminess without being as heavy as heavy cream. And for the cranberries, you can use either fresh or frozen. If you use frozen, there’s no need to thaw them first, just toss them right in.

Step-by-Step Instructions For Making Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole

This casserole is wonderfully simple to put together, especially since most of the work happens the night before. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a stunning brunch dish ready for the oven in the morning. A good 9×13-inch baking dish is your best friend here, either glass or ceramic works beautifully.

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and First Layer

First things first, you’ll want to generously grease your 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. This is a crucial step to prevent sticking and ensure you can serve clean, beautiful slices. Once greased, arrange half of your bread cubes in a single, even layer across the bottom of the dish. Try to make sure there are no major gaps.

Step 2: Add the Cream Cheese and Cranberries

Now for the fun part. Take your softened cream cheese chunks and scatter them evenly over the layer of bread. Do the same with one cup of the cranberries. Distributing these ingredients well ensures that every bite will have that perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and tart flavors. After they’re scattered, top them with the remaining bread cubes, creating the second layer.

Step 3: Mix the Custard

In a large mixing bowl, it’s time to create the rich custard that will hold everything together. Whisk together the eight large eggs until they are well beaten. Then, add the half-and-half, fresh orange juice, brown sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, my secret ingredient cardamom, and salt. Whisk everything vigorously until it’s completely smooth and the sugar has dissolved. You want a uniform liquid with no streaks of egg.

Step 4: Pour and Soak

Carefully and slowly pour this beautiful custard mixture all over the bread cubes in your baking dish. Pour it evenly to make sure every piece of bread gets some love. Once poured, I like to use the back of a spatula to gently press down on the bread. This helps it submerge and really start soaking up all that delicious custard. Scatter the last half cup of cranberries over the very top for a pretty finish.

Step 5: Refrigerate Overnight

This step is non-negotiable for the best texture! Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Place it in the refrigerator for at least four hours, but I strongly recommend letting it sit overnight. This long soak is what allows the bread to become fully saturated, resulting in a creamy, custardy interior rather than a dry, bready one.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Take the casserole out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter while the oven comes to temperature. This helps take the chill off the dish for more even baking.

Step 7: Make the Pecan Streusel Topping

While the oven heats, you can quickly mix up the streusel. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, chopped pecans, and a pinch of salt. Add the pieces of cold butter. Using a pastry blender, two knives, or just your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. The cold butter is key to a crisp topping.

Step 8: Top and Bake

Sprinkle the streusel mixture evenly over the entire surface of the casserole. Cover the baking dish with a piece of foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake it covered for 30 minutes. The foil prevents the topping from browning too quickly before the center is cooked.

Step 9: Finish Baking Uncovered

After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Continue to bake for another 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is a beautiful golden brown, the streusel is crisp, and the center is set. A good way to check for doneness is to insert a knife into the center, it should come out clean, without any wet, raw custard on it.

Step 10: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole rest on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before you slice into it. This allows the custard to set up a bit more, making for cleaner slices. Now it’s ready to be served warm and enjoyed by all!

How To Serve Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole

Serving this beautiful casserole is almost as much fun as making it. The aromas of orange, cinnamon, and warm bread that fill your home are just the beginning. When you pull that golden, bubbling dish from the oven, it’s already a showstopper. But a few simple touches can make it an even more memorable meal for your family and friends.

For a classic and simple presentation, you really can’t go wrong with a drizzle of warm, pure maple syrup. The earthy sweetness of the syrup is a perfect complement to the tart cranberries and rich custard. A light dusting of powdered sugar over the top of each slice also adds a touch of elegance, making it look like it just came from a fancy bakery.

If you want to dress it up a little more for a special occasion, here are a few of my favorite ways to serve this Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole:

• Orange Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream is always a treat. To make it extra special, add a teaspoon of orange zest and a tablespoon of powdered sugar to heavy cream before whipping it to soft peaks. It enhances the orange flavor in the casserole beautifully.
• A Side of Fresh Fruit: While the casserole has fruit in it, serving a small bowl of fresh orange segments or a mixed berry salad on the side adds a lovely freshness and a pop of color to the plate.
• Toasted Pecans: Even though there are pecans in the streusel, sprinkling a few extra toasted pecans on top right before serving adds another layer of crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
• A Dollop of Yogurt or Mascarpone: For a slightly less sweet option, a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt or creamy mascarpone cheese on the side can provide a wonderful tangy contrast to the sweet casserole.

This dish is hearty enough to be the star of your brunch menu. I often serve it alongside something savory, like breakfast sausage links or thick-cut bacon, to create a balanced and satisfying meal. Whether it’s for a lazy weekend breakfast or a bustling Christmas morning, serving this dish warm from the oven is a sure way to make everyone feel cozy and cared for.

How To Store & Reuse Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole Leftovers

One of the many things I love about this casserole is that the leftovers are just as delicious the next day, if not even more so. The flavors have more time to meld together, and it’s so easy to reheat for a quick and decadent breakfast on a busy weekday morning. Proper storage is key to keeping it fresh and tasty.

Once the casserole has cooled completely to room temperature, you can store it right in the baking dish. Simply cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. If you prefer, you can also transfer individual portions into airtight containers. Stored this way, the casserole will keep well in the refrigerator for up to four days.

When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, you have a couple of great options for reheating. Here’s how I like to do it:

• In the Oven: This is my preferred method as it best revives the crispy streusel topping. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the desired number of slices in a small baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until warmed through. If you want to re-crisp the top, you can remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking.
• In the Microwave: For a super quick option, the microwave works just fine. Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in 30 to 45 second intervals until it’s hot. The topping won’t be as crispy, but the custardy center will be perfectly warm and soft.

This Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole also freezes beautifully, which is fantastic for planning ahead. To freeze, you can either wrap the entire cooled casserole dish tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil, or you can freeze individual slices. For slices, wrap each one in plastic wrap and then place them all in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. It can be frozen for up to three months. To reheat from frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then follow the oven reheating instructions above.

Substitutions & Variations For Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole

While I absolutely adore this recipe just the way it is, one of the best things about cooking is making a dish your own. This Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole is incredibly forgiving and serves as a wonderful base for your own creative twists. Whether you need to accommodate a dietary restriction or just feel like trying a new flavor combination, here are some ideas to get you started.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with the core components. The bread, fruit, and spices can all be swapped out to create a completely different but equally delicious breakfast bake. It’s a great way to use up ingredients you already have on hand or to cater to the tastes of your family.

Here are some of my favorite substitutions and variations:

• Different Breads: If you don’t have brioche or challah, a sturdy sourdough, French bread, or even cinnamon raisin bread would be delicious. Sourdough will add a pleasant tang that works well with the sweet and tart flavors. Just be sure the bread is sturdy enough to hold its shape.
• Fruit Swaps: Not a fan of cranberries? This casserole works wonderfully with other fruits. Try using fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, or chopped apples with a pinch of extra cinnamon. In the summer, chopped peaches or nectarines would be divine.
• Nut Variations: If you don’t have pecans, walnuts or sliced almonds would make a fantastic substitute in the streusel topping. For a nut-free version, you can simply omit the nuts and replace them with an equal amount of rolled oats for a similar texture.
• A Boozy Twist: For an adults-only version, add a splash of liqueur to the custard mixture. Two tablespoons of Grand Marnier or Cointreau would amplify the orange flavor, while a splash of bourbon or spiced rum would add a lovely warmth.
• Dietary Adjustments: To make this dairy-free, you can substitute the half-and-half with a full-fat canned coconut milk or your favorite unsweetened nut milk. Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and replace the butter with coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute.

You can also play with the spices. A pinch of ground ginger or allspice would be a lovely addition to the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. The possibilities are truly endless, so feel free to use this recipe as a starting point for your own brunch masterpiece.

5 FAQs About Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole

Here are some straightforward answers to the most common questions I receive about this Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole recipe. I hope these tips help you make it perfectly every time!

Can I make this Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend it. This casserole is specifically designed to be an make-ahead dish, which is what makes it so perfect for stress-free holiday mornings or entertaining. The magic really happens during the resting period in the refrigerator. You should assemble the entire casserole, except for the streusel topping, the night before you plan to bake it.

Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least four hours, though a full overnight soak is even better. This extended time allows the bread to fully absorb the rich, orange-infused custard, which is the secret to a perfectly moist and flavorful interior. When you’re ready to bake, just whip up the fresh streusel topping, sprinkle it over the top, and pop it in the oven. You can even mix the dry ingredients for the streusel ahead of time and keep them in a separate airtight container.

What is the best type of bread to use for French toast casserole?

The type of bread you use is one of the most important factors in achieving the perfect texture. You need a bread that is rich, dense, and sturdy enough to withstand a long soak in the liquid custard without completely disintegrating. My top recommendations are always brioche or challah. Both are enriched breads, meaning they are made with a higher proportion of eggs and butter, which adds to the overall richness and flavor of the casserole.

If you can’t find brioche or challah, a thick-cut Texas toast, a loaf of French bread, or even a sturdy sourdough would also work well. The key is to avoid standard, pre-sliced sandwich bread, as it’s generally too soft and will likely turn to mush. For the best results, use bread that is a day or two old. Slightly stale bread is a bit drier and will act like a sponge, soaking up more of the custard for a more flavorful and well-textured final dish.

Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen cranberries?

You can certainly use dried cranberries if that’s what you have on hand, but it will change the flavor and texture profile of the dish. Fresh or frozen cranberries pop when they bake, releasing a bright, tart juice that cuts through the richness of the custard and cream cheese. Dried cranberries, on the other hand, are much sweeter and have a chewy texture.

If you choose to use dried cranberries, I would suggest reducing the amount to about 1 cup, as their flavor is more concentrated. To help them plump up and not be overly dry, you can soak them in hot water or even a little bit of orange juice for about 15-20 minutes before adding them to the casserole. This will rehydrate them a bit and make their texture more pleasant in the final bake. It will result in a sweeter casserole overall, but it will still be delicious.

Why is my Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole soggy?

A soggy French toast casserole is usually caused by one of two things, an incorrect bread-to-liquid ratio or not baking it long enough. It’s crucial to use the right amount of bread to soak up the custard. If you use too little bread for the amount of egg mixture, you’ll end up with a layer of unabsorbed liquid at the bottom of your pan, which can result in a soggy, overly eggy texture.

Another common culprit is underbaking. The casserole needs to be baked until the custard is completely set in the center. The top might look golden brown and finished, but the middle can still be liquidy. The best way to check for doneness is to insert a knife or a skewer into the very center of the casserole. If it comes out clean, it’s done. If it comes out with wet, uncooked custard on it, it needs more time in the oven. If you notice the top is browning too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil for the remainder of the baking time.

Can I make this French toast casserole gluten-free?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe to be gluten-free with a couple of simple swaps. The most important substitution, of course, is the bread. You’ll need to use a good quality gluten-free bread. Look for one that is sturdy and comes in a loaf that you can cut into thick, 1-inch cubes. Some gluten-free breads can be quite delicate, so using one that is a day or two old will help it hold up better during the soaking process.

The second substitution you’ll need to make is in the streusel topping. Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a good all-purpose gluten-free flour blend, preferably one that contains xanthan gum. All the other ingredients in the recipe, from the eggs and dairy to the cranberries and spices, are naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to double-check the labels on your ingredients, like vanilla extract, to ensure there are no hidden gluten-containing additives.

Try These Recipes Next

If you loved the ease and comfort of this make-ahead brunch dish, I have a few other favorites I think you’ll enjoy just as much.

• The Best Baked French Toast: This is a classic, crowd-pleasing recipe with a cinnamon-sugar topping that gets wonderfully crisp in the oven.
• Cozy Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal: For a healthier but equally festive breakfast, this baked oatmeal has all the same wonderful flavors in a hearty, wholesome format.
• Overnight Chocolate Pecan Pie French Toast Casserole: If you’re looking for pure indulgence, this recipe is it. It’s a decadent combination of chocolate, pecans, and gooey caramel.

Give one of them a try the next time you need a special breakfast or brunch idea!