This cinnamon orange french toast bake is a dreamy holiday breakfast! Perfect for a special occasion or just as a festive brunch dish, it’s delicious, satisfying and tastes like a cozy holiday hug. We love it.
We’ve got a holiday breakfast treat today!
This cinnamon orange french toast bake is the perfect make-ahead festive breakfast that is cozy and tastes like a big bite of the holiday season. It’s easy to prepare and even easier to bake!
These overnight french toast bakes are one of my favorite breakfasts to prepare. They are great for brunch or any holiday, and just SO easy because all of the work is done the day before!
And it’s kind of unbelievable just how delicious a french toast bake can be after all you did that morning was throw it in the oven.
Okay okay – and cover it with glaze!
I think by now you know how much my family loves cinnamon orange rolls, bread and the like. It is a very comforting, nostalgic flavor this time of year. My kids beg for orange rolls and my mom will often make them if they are over there in the morning. They adore them!
So I knew that an orange baked french toast would be a giant hit in our family. It tastes festive, feels fancy and special and is ridiculously filling. Sure, it might put you in the holiday food coma, but I promise that it is so worth it.
Now let me tell you the best part: I love making this with croissant bread. YESSSSS. A croissant made into a loaf of bread – it’s amazing. I usually can find it at ALDI. You don’t have to use that particular kind of bread, but I tell you, if you can find it… oh my gosh. It’s heavenly. Because it’s so flakey and toasty with multiple layers, but also light at the same time. If you can’t find croissant bread or don’t want to use actual croissants, you can use brioche!
This is how I make it!
I chop up the bread and place it in a baking dish. Next, I whisk up my egg and cream mixture, complete with french orange zest, lots of cinnamon and vanilla. Deeeeelish.
Pour that custard over the bread, making sure each piece gets covered. Sometimes I’ll take a spatula and press a few bread cubes down just so they get coated.
Cover it and place it in the fridge overnight! It’s that simple. It needs about 8 to 12 hours in the fridge, but I’ve had it in there for 24 hours and it’s still excellent. Maybe better!
When it comes time to bake, that takes about 45 minutes. In that 45 minutes, I make a quick little orange glaze! Freshly squeezed orange juice, powdered sugar, a touch of cream and vanilla. The french toast doesn’t exactly NEED a glaze on top, but it makes it phenomenal. A dream!
And since we’re using the glaze, I usually skip syrup. But you can do what you’d like! A dusting of powdered sugar doesn’t hurt either.
This is SUCH a cozy breakfast. A lovely little treat that makes the morning feel really special and helps to create memories with your family and friends.
And guess what? When I’ve made this before, Eddie has reheated it the next day. It actually works great – I’ve been so pleasantly surprised!
‘Tis the season for the best breakfast!
Cinnamon Orange French Toast Bake
Cinnamon Orange French Toast Bake
This cinnamon orange french toast bake is a dreamy holiday breakfast! Perfect for a special occasion or just as a festive brunch dish, it’s delicious, satisfying and tastes like a cozy holiday hug. We love it.
orange glaze
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 ½ tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Chop the bread into cubes and place it in a 9×9 (or 11×7) baking dish.
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In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, orange zest, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Pour it over the bread cubes, pressing any cubes into the mixture to make sure they are moistened.
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Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight, or at least for 8 hours.
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the dish from the fridge.
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When the oven is heated, uncover the french toast. Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown and toasty.
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While the french toast bakes, make the glaze. Whisk together the juice, zest, powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla until smooth.
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Remove the french toast from the oven and serve. Drizzle with the orange glaze and enjoy! Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
Craving always!
