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Home » Blog » Recipes » Breakfast

French Toast Bread Pudding

Donya Mullins 20 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

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With all the flavor of french toast and one of the South’s most beloved desserts, bread pudding, this recipe is worthy of any special holiday celebration or lazy weekend mornings. Sweet, and slightly decadent, French Toast Bread Pudding is a make-ahead dish that will have your loved ones running to the table even before the alarm clock goes off!

French Toast Bread Pudding on a plate with peaches and berries.

If I had to make one breakfast casserole recipe for the rest of my life, this would be it! French Toast Bread Pudding is full of all the wonderful warm flavors of french toast with the rich baked custard of bread pudding.

It’s the perfect make-ahead recipe to serve for breakfast or brunch especially if you’re entertaining. Or, make it at the end of a busy week and pop it in the oven on the last weekend morning. Serve it with a side of bacon, warm maple syrup, and some fruit and you’ve got a glorious start to the day!

French Toast Bread Pudding ingredients with bread and eggs.

Ingredients Needed

  • Day-old bread
  • Cream Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • Vanilla
  • Maple Syrup
  • Melted Butter

Can This Recipe Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Yes, absolutely! As a matter of fact, that’s what I recommend. To make the recipe, all you need to do is assemble, store unbaked in the refrigerator overnight, then in the morning, bake it in the oven until it’s hot and golden brown.

French Toast bread pudding in baking dish with cream cheese and eggs.

PRO TIP: make sure to chill the casserole properly. The key is to let the bread soak up as much of the egg mixture as possible. A minimum of 4 hours is necessary but overnight is best.

What Is The Best Type Of Bread To Use For This Recipe?

For this casserole, I used dinner rolls that I had on hand but you can use almost any kind of bread. Keep in mind that the bread should be dried out or day-old. Here are a few suggestions:

  • French Bread
  • Croissants
  • Bagels
  • Cinnamon Bread
  • Challah Bread
French Toast Bread Pudding in a white baking dish.

Add-ins To French Toast Bread Pudding

This recipe lends itself to all kinds of variations. It all depends on what you’re craving!

  • add chopped pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts for a bit of crunch.
  • for a little sweetness, add golden raisins, dried cranberries, or cherries.
  • take things to a whole new level by adding chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or caramel chips.

How To Store Leftovers

If you are lucky enough to have some French Toast Bread Pudding left over, you can store it in the refrigerator covered for up to 4 days.

French Toast Bread Pudding with berries and peaches.

What To Serve With French Toast Bread Pudding

  • Fruit Salad
  • Oven Cooked Bacon
  • Scalloped Potatoes
  • Waldorf Salad
  • Peachy Rose Sangria
  • Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits
French Toast Bread Pudding with syrup pour.

If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and a rating. I always love hearing from you! Also, don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram.

French Toast Bread Pudding on a plate with peaches and berries.
4.07 from 16 votes

French Toast Bread Pudding

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Author: Donya Mullins
Print Pin Rate
Sweet, and slightly decadent, French Toast Bread Pudding is a make-ahead dish that will have your loved ones running to the table even before the alarm clock goes off!

Ingredients

  • 8 “day old” dinner rolls or ½ loaf of french bread cut into 1 inch cubes
  • ½ block of cream cheese (4 oz) – cubed
  • 8 eggs
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 ½ cup half & half or whole milk
  • 4 tablespoon melted butter

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and spread half the bread cubes into dish.
  • Sprinkle cream cheese over bread and layer with remaining bread cubes.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, and cinnamon.
  • Add in maple syrup, vanilla, milk, and melted butter, whisking until well incorporated.
  • Gently pour egg mixture over bread. Use a large spoon to press bread into egg mixture until covered.
  • Cover dish with tin foil and place in refrigerator overnight.
  • Remove foil and bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until top of bread pudding is golden brown.
  • Heat additional maple syrup until warm to serve with bread pudding.
French Toast Bread Pudding on a plate with peaches and berries.
Did you make my French Toast Bread Pudding?I’d love to see! Share on Instagram, tag @asouthernsoul, and use the hashtag #asouthernsoul!
Tag on Insta Leave a Rating
https://www.pinterest.com/asouthernsoul1/a-southern-soul-recipes/
French Toast Bread Pudding images for Pinterest

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Donya with A Southern Soul

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Hey, there! I’m Donya and welcome to A Southern Soul. I love to cook and entertain with easy to make recipes and simple ideas that make people feel special. Read More

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  1. Carolyne (Dolson) Lain

    July 10, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    Hi, Donya;
    I have saved dozens of your recipes and intend to try them once my second knee transplant heals sufficiently.
    My question is: Rather than using maple syrup, could I use Date syrup? Date syrup is quite sweet and fairly thick. I actually prefer it over Maple syrup.
    Hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer week-end.
    – Carolyne.

    Reply
    • Donya

      July 11, 2021 at 8:58 pm

      Hey there Carolyne!
      Thank you so much for your support, you’re so kind. Let me start by saying, I hope your surgery and recovery go well, I have no doubt you’ll be up and cooking again in no time. And as for your question, you can absolutely use date syrup instead of maple syrup. I actually think that would give the dish a really nice flavor. Thank you so very much for your support! I hope you have a speedy recovery after your knee transplant, let me know if you have any other questions!
      ~Donya

      Reply
  2. Sandy Haroldson

    March 24, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    Would love to try the bread pudding recipe & am wondering how many cups of bread does it take total (if I don’t use rolls). thanks. Sandy

    Reply
    • Donya

      March 25, 2021 at 8:55 pm

      Hey Sandy,
      Great question, thanks so much for reaching out! If you aren’t going to use rolls, you can substitute a loaf of brioche bread or Challah, really any kind of light and airy bread. You’ll want to use about 1-2 loaves of bread depending on the size of your pan, if you’re using an 9×13 it’s about a loaf and a half. Let me know how it goes, I hope you like it!
      ~Donya

      Reply
  3. Kristin

    August 12, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Can you freeze it for later and still be good after reheated?

    Reply
    • Donya

      August 18, 2020 at 10:23 am

      I’ve never frozen this casserole but it should work out just fine. I would thaw in the fridge then reheat.
      Let me know how it turns out!
      ~Donya

      Reply
  4. joslyn

    November 21, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    I wanted bread pudding and I also wanted bread pudding for breakfast so I tried this recipe it was great I did not have Maple syrup but it was very good. This will be added to my favourite desserts as well as breakfast dish

    Reply
  5. Melissa

    March 22, 2016 at 12:20 am

    This looks so good Donya! Next time we have tea you get to bring the casserole. ☺ Pinning!

    Reply
    • Donya Mullins

      March 23, 2016 at 12:27 am

      Thanks friend! I'll bring the casserole and you bring a trifle, how about that?
      ~Donya

      Reply
  6. Grandma Kc

    February 25, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    YUM! Definitely saving this to make for the next Teachers Appreciation Breakfast or something! Love that it can be made the night before. Thanks!

    Reply
  7. Joy

    February 23, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    Yay, Donya! Your French Toast Bread Pudding will be featured at Treasure Box Tuesday this week (2/25)! ♥

    Reply
  8. Donya Mullins

    February 23, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    Thank Joy! I love Treasure Box Tuesday and I hope the readers like this recipe.
    xo,
    ~Donya

    Reply
  9. Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch)

    February 17, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    Wow, you have had an eventful week! I can't think of a better way to celebrate the sunshine than this beautiful bread pudding. I really should make more bread puddings, they're just so darn good! Thanks for this recipe.

    Reply
    • Donya Mullins

      February 17, 2014 at 9:28 pm

      Thank Lea Ann for your sweet words. I am so thankful for how great things turned out! Hope you'll make this soon…it REALLY is easy and so yummy.

      Reply
      • Andrea

        April 11, 2021 at 10:49 am

        Could I make this if I only have 8 hours to soak it?

        Reply
        • Donya

          April 11, 2021 at 12:44 pm

          Hey there Andrea!
          That’s a great question! The answer is yes, it turns out the best if you soak over night, but as long as it soaks for 4-6 hours it will still have that fantastic bread pudding texture. I hope this helps, let me know how it goes!
          ~Donya

          Reply
          • Carol F

            June 22, 2021 at 7:17 pm

            In the recipe you call for 1/2 loaf of French bread. In the comments you say 1-2 loaves of bread, about 1 loaf and a half for a 9×13 pan. I will probably buy french bread because it dries out quickly. Should I use a half loaf or a loaf and a half? I am very anxious to try this recipe. I’m sure it will be just as good as your other recipes that I’ve tried!

          • Donya

            June 23, 2021 at 12:14 pm

            Hey Carol.
            It does appear a bit confusing. It all depends on how big the loaf is. I would use a 1/2 a large french bread loaf. Some of the other bread types are much smaller.
            Let me know how things turn out!
            ~Donya

    • Parrotpirate13

      July 15, 2021 at 11:36 am

      This was excellent! We had a bunch of extra buns left from the 4th and I was looking for a way to use them… so I made it with hot dog and hamburger buns. We don’t like soggy bread so I was skeptical. But this will be my Go-to for any morning the family and friends are here. THANK YOU!

      Reply
      • Donya

        July 15, 2021 at 5:47 pm

        Hey there!
        My goodness, you’re so sweet! Thank you so much for your kind words! This recipe is one of my absolute favorites for using old buns; they soak up that egg mixture perfectly at night, and still get crispy on the top during the bake. Thank you so much for your support, I’m thrilled you enjoyed this recipe!
        ~Donya

        Reply

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Donya with A Southern Soul

Meet A Southern Soul

Hey, there! I’m Donya and welcome to A Southern Soul. I love to cook and entertain with easy to make recipes and simple ideas that make people feel special. Read More

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