Name: Gingerbread French Toast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 large eggs; ½ cup heavy cream; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon all-spice blend; ½ teaspoon ground cloves; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 loaf of bread, cubed into 1-inch pieces (French baguette or other crusty, dense loaf); ¼ cup dried cranberries; ⅓ cup orange juice; Maple syrup; Confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)

If you’re craving a cozy, flavorful breakfast that’s perfect for holiday mornings or weekend brunch, you’re going to love this Gingerbread French Toast Casserole Recipe. I absolutely love how the warm spices—cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg—fill the kitchen during baking, and trust me, your family will go crazy for it! It’s basically the ultimate make-ahead comfort dish that’s as easy as it is delicious.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep this casserole the night before and bake it fresh in the morning—a total game changer for busy holidays.
Warm and Spiced Comfort: The blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves gives that cozy gingerbread flavor without needing a complicated recipe.
Perfect Texture: Dense bread soaked just right so it’s soft inside but crisp on top after baking.
Family Favorite: My loved ones ask for this year after year; it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

A white plate holds several uneven slices of toasted bread stacked slightly on each other. The bread is golden brown with a crispy texture on the edges and a soft, airy inside. Light white powdered sugar is sprinkled over the bread and plate, adding a delicate dusting. Scattered around the bread slices are a few shiny, red cranberry pieces. Behind the plate, there is a dark spoon resting as a background item. The setting is on a white marbled surface, creating a bright and clean look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Gingerbread French Toast Casserole, holiday breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast ideas, cozy holiday morning recipes, spiced breakfast bake

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Gingerbread French Toast Casserole Recipe works together to create a flavorful, custardy delight. I recommend using a crusty, dense bread to soak up all those warming spices and custard without turning into mush.

Flat lay of four large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl with bright orange fresh orange juice, a small white ceramic bowl filled with dried red cranberries, a larger simple white ceramic bowl holding cubed rustic crusty French baguette pieces, and a small white ceramic bowl containing a warm-toned ground spice mix of cinnamon, ginger, all-spice, cloves, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Gingerbread French Toast Casserole, holiday breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast ideas, cozy holiday morning recipes, spiced breakfast bake

Eggs: The base for your custard, eggs help bind everything and give the dish that rich texture.
Heavy cream: Adds luscious creaminess and richness to the custard mixture.
Ground cinnamon: Essential for that classic gingerbread flavor and fragrant warmth.
Ground ginger: The star spice, giving the casserole its signature bite.
All-spice blend: Adds depth and complexity beyond just cinnamon and ginger.
Ground cloves: Powerful spice that needs to be used sparingly but adds that perfect holiday note.
Ground nutmeg: Subtle warmth and nuttiness that rounds out the flavor profile.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and spices to keep flavors bright.
Bread (French baguette or other dense loaf): Firm texture absorbs custard beautifully without falling apart.
Dried cranberries: Soaked in orange juice for a tart contrast that brightens the dish.
Orange juice: For soaking cranberries and adding a fresh citrus kick.
Maple syrup (optional): The perfect finishing touch if you want a little extra sweetness.
Confectioners’ sugar (optional): Just a light dusting can make the serving look irresistible.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Gingerbread French Toast Casserole Recipe is—there’s room to make it your own, whether you want to swap fruits, adjust spices, or even go dairy-free.

Fruit swaps: Blueberries or chopped apples work great instead of dried cranberries, especially if you soak apples slightly in orange juice to keep them tender.
Dairy-free version: Substitute coconut milk or almond milk for heavy cream without losing much richness.
Nutty add-ins: Toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top before baking add an irresistible crunch—I discovered this when I wanted more texture one holiday morning.
Spice adjustments: If you love bold flavors, add a pinch of freshly grated ginger or even a dash of cardamom to make it extra special.

How to Make Gingerbread French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Whisk together the aromatic custard

Start by cracking your eggs into a large bowl, then whisk in the heavy cream until things are smooth. Add the ground cinnamon, ginger, all-spice, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. I like to give this a really good whisk to blend all the spices evenly—the smell alone is worth the effort. This custard base is what gives the casserole that rich and spicy flavor, so don’t rush here!

Step 2: Soak the bread in the custard

Cube your bread into roughly 1-inch pieces. I recommend using a day-old baguette or other firm, crusty loaf—it soaks up the custard perfectly without going mushy. Toss your bread cubes in a large mixing bowl, then pour the custard over and stir gently to coat every piece. Here’s my trick: let the mixture rest for at least 30 minutes—sometimes I even leave it overnight in the fridge, giving the bread time to soak up all those lovely spices.

Step 3: Prepare the cranberries

While the bread soaks, pour your dried cranberries into a small bowl and pour orange juice over them. I like to let them soak for 10 minutes so they plump up with a lovely citrus brightness that cuts through the richness of the casserole. When you drain them, you’ll be left with juicy, tangy bites to sprinkle on top.

Step 4: Bake to golden perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Transfer your soaked bread and custard mixture evenly into the pan, then scatter those soaked cranberries over the top. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is a beautiful golden brown and crispy around the edges. You’ll know it’s done when a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean and the top has a slight crunch—it’s heavenly.

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Pro Tips for Making Gingerbread French Toast Casserole Recipe

Use Day-Old Bread: Fresher bread soaks up the custard too much and can turn mushy; slightly stale bread holds its structure better.
Don’t Skip the Soak Time: Letting the bread soak lets the custard deeply flavor every bite—overnight soaking yields the best results.
Keep the Top Crispy: If your casserole isn’t crisping up, try finishing with a few minutes under the broiler—just watch carefully!
Even Cranberry Distribution: Sprinkle cranberries evenly so every slice gets bursts of tartness, not just a few spots.

How to Serve Gingerbread French Toast Casserole Recipe

A white bowl with a black rim holds several pieces of light golden brown fried bread chunks layered loosely, some with soft airy texture and some with a crispier crust, sprinkled with white powdered sugar on top. Tiny bits of red berries peek through the layers. The bowl is placed on a white marbled textured surface, with a small part of a gray cloth visible in the corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Gingerbread French Toast Casserole, holiday breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast ideas, cozy holiday morning recipes, spiced breakfast bake

Garnishes

I love dusting mine lightly with confectioners’ sugar—adds a snowy, festive touch. A drizzle of real maple syrup on top finishes it off perfectly, giving just the right sweetness and stickiness. If you want a little extra flair, try a splash of whipped cream or a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs beautifully with fresh fruit like orange slices, or even a simple green salad if you’re enjoying it for brunch. For a heartier meal, crispy bacon or breakfast sausage complement the warm spices nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered the casserole in individual ramekins for charming single servings. Another fun idea is to add a dollop of spiced whipped cream and a sprig of fresh rosemary on top—instant wow factor! This always impresses guests and makes brunch feel extra festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers are best stored covered in the refrigerator and eaten within 2 days. I find storing in an airtight container helps keep the casserole moist but still lets it reheat well.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen the baked casserole often, I’ve successfully frozen the custard-soaked bread mixture before baking. Just transfer the bowl contents to a freezer-safe container and thaw overnight in the fridge before baking fresh.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the microwave for about a minute or pop them in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to regain crispiness. I prefer the oven method because it brings back that perfectly crisp top!

FAQs

Can I use any kind of bread for the Gingerbread French Toast Casserole Recipe?

Yes, but I recommend using a crusty, dense loaf like a French baguette or sourdough. These types hold up well during soaking and baking without turning mushy. Avoid soft sandwich bread that might become overly soggy.
Can I prepare the casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! This recipe shines as a make-ahead dish. You can soak the bread in the custard mixture overnight in the refrigerator, then bake fresh in the morning. Cranberries are added right before baking for the best texture.
How do I make the casserole gluten-free?

Simply swap the bread for your favorite gluten-free crusty loaf. Keep in mind that gluten-free bread can soak up custard differently, so monitor the texture while soaking to avoid it becoming too mushy.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?

Yes! Toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts are a wonderful addition, sprinkled on top before baking or mixed in with the bread. They add satisfying crunch and complement the warm spices well.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread French Toast Casserole Recipe is one of those recipes I come back to every year, especially when I want a festive breakfast that feels indulgent but comes together easily. I’ve learned that letting it soak overnight is totally worth the effort, and the combination of spices with the juicy cranberries makes every bite magic. If you want to impress your family or guests without stress, trust me, this is your go-to. Give it a try—you’ll love the cozy vibes and delicious flavors it brings to your table!