Indulge in this Eggnog Croissant French Toast Casserole, the perfect Christmas brunch dish with warm spices, molasses, and vanilla bean paste. Prep the night before for an easy and unforgettable holiday morning!
When it comes to holiday mornings, especially Christmas, I’m all about finding that perfect dish that feels both indulgent yet balanced enough to satisfy every taste bud around the table. Enter my Eggnog Croissant French Toast Casserole, a follow-up to my viral Holiday Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake—and trust me, it’s every bit as magical.
This recipe is the ultimate Christmas brunch indulgence, a sweet and creamy take on French toast that isn’t too sweet, making it a true crowd-pleaser for adults and kids alike. Imagine buttery croissants soaking up the rich, spiced eggnog custard overnight, transforming into a warm, decadent casserole the next morning. It’s a breakfast that makes waking up early on Christmas morning totally worth it.
Perfect for Prep the Night Before
One of the best things about this recipe? It’s wonderfully make-ahead. That means you can prepare everything the night before, letting the croissants soak up all that eggnog goodness while you’re busy wrapping gifts or simply enjoying some downtime. The longer it sits, the better it tastes—and isn’t that just what we need during the holiday hustle?
Warm Spices and Secret Ingredients
What makes this casserole really special are the warm holiday spices: think cinnamon and nutmeg, perfectly balanced to warm up the flavors of the custard. And then, there are the secret ingredients that take this dish to the next level: a touch of molasses and a spoonful of rich vanilla bean paste. The molasses adds a deep, caramel-like sweetness that complements the eggnog, while the vanilla bean paste infuses a gorgeous, aromatic vanilla flavor throughout.
Why Your Family Will Love It
I can promise you this—when you serve this Eggnog Croissant French Toast Casserole, your family will be wowed. The adults will savor the balanced sweetness and aromatic spices, while the kids will be delighted by the fluffy, golden croissants and the syrupy drizzle on top. You get the perfect combination of textures: crispy edges, soft custardy centers, and that irresistible croissant flakiness.
Whether you serve it on Christmas morning or as a festive brunch during the holiday season, this casserole is a must-try that will leave your family requesting it year after year.
Key Tips:
- Prep Ahead: Remember, the longer this casserole sits in the fridge, the better! Overnight soaking is ideal, but even a few hours will do wonders.
- Syrup Drizzle: Serve with warm maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for that extra touch of holiday magic. Even some cream cheese icing to really take it over the top 🙂
So, get ready to wow your family with this unforgettable brunch dish and let the countdown to Christmas morning begin. Don’t forget to come back and tell me how your loved ones enjoyed it—I can’t wait to hear all about your holiday kitchen magic!
Eggnog Croissant French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 oz mini croissants about 6-8 mini croissants
- 5 eggs
- 2 cups egg nog
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon molasses
- 4 tablespoons softened butter about half a stick
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon for the topping
- Optional store bought cream cheese icing if desired *dilute with some milk to to make it a glaze
Instructions
- Tear the mini croissants into large bite-sized pieces and place them in your 10.5"x7.5" baking dish. Spread them out evenly.
- In a large mixing bowl, crack all 5 eggs. Add eggnog as well as 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, and 1 teaspoon molasses. Whisk everything together really well until the eggs and spices are completely mixed.
- Slowly pour the eggnog mixture over the croissant pieces in the baking dish. Use your hands or a spoon to gently press down on the croissants so they soak up the egg mixture. Make sure every piece is wet.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of softened butter, 4 tablespoons of brown sugar, 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Use a fork or your hands to mix everything together until it forms a smooth butter topping.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon brown sugar topping evenly over the croissant and egg mixture in the baking dish.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the oven at 350°F for 40 minutes.
- After 40 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Increase the oven temperature to 400°F and bake for another 8-10 minutes until the top is golden brown and a little crispy.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Add a drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of powdered sugar if you’d like!
Excited to try!! How much eggnog should be used? (Did not happen to see it)
Thanks so much!
Author
silly me! just updated