Christmas Eve Spiced Caramel French Toast Casserole

This make-ahead breakfast casserole is one of our Chef's favorites to put together on Christmas Eve. It sits in the fridge covered overnight and then can easily be popped into the oven in the morning. It is full of homemade (or store purchased) French Bread. The custard mixture is rich with caramel, vanilla, and orange flavors. Before it is baked, the casserole is topped with a spiced crumble mixture giving the finished dish a lovely texture. We serve ours with butter and a drizzle of maple syrup or caramel syrup.

Christmas Eve Spiced Caramel French Toast Casserole

1 (1lb) loaf crusty sourdough or French bread

8 whole eggs

1 ½ cups half and half

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 tbsp. vanilla extract

1 Tbsp. orange zest

For the Topping:

1 cup Texas Pure Milling All Purpose Flour

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 Tbsp. Pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup (1 sticks) butter, melted

Maple or Caramel Syrup for serving

Butter, for serving

Directions

• Grease the baking pan with butter. Slice the bread, and evenly distribute in the pan. Crack the eggs in a big bowl. Whisk together the eggs, half and half, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest. Pour the egg batter evenly over the bread in the pan. Cover the pan and store in the fridge overnight.

• For the topping: Mix the flour, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Melt the butter. Mix it all together until the mixture resembles fine pebbles. Store in a plastic bag in the fridge.

• When you're ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350° F. Remove the casserole from the fridge and sprinkle the topping over the top. Bake 1 hour.

• Scoop out portions and top with butter, drizzle with warm pancake syrup or caramel syrup.