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If you love eggnog, you’ve got to try this eggnog French toast! The rich flavor of eggnog pairs beautifully with spices and challah for a wonderful holiday breakfast.

Slices of cinnamon apple bread served on a plate with a fork, with a loaf in the background and a striped cloth.

I always wonder why eggnog is only available around the winter holidays. If my husband had the chance, he’d definitely drink it all year!

Instead we try to make sure he gets his fix with plenty of cups of eggnog and eggnog-flavored recipes. He also adores French toast, so this eggnog French toast casserole is a must!

Because French toast requires an eggy custard to make it moist and delicious, eggnog is the perfect ingredient to use for it.

Add some warming spices and a handful of other ingredients, and you’ve got a festive start to your holiday!

Ingredients for eggnog french toast

Full list of ingredients including quantities is located in the recipe card.

Ingredients laid out for a bread pudding recipe include challah, nutmeg, cinnamon, egg, sugar, milk, vanilla, eggnog, butter, brown sugar, and flour.

You’ll need:

Egg
Eggnog – You can use flavored or regular eggnog. If you use a flavored eggnog, you might want to adjust the added spices and vanilla in this recipe so the flavors are not overpowered.
Whole milk – 2% milk will also work, it just won’t be quite as rich.
Granulated sugar
Vanilla extract
Spiced rum – Optional for that classic eggnog taste!
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Butter
Challah bread
Flour
Brown sugar
Butter

I like to use challah for French toast because the egg-based bread can soak up the custard nicely without falling apart like a packaged sandwich bread would. For best results, use a loaf that is a day or two old – the dryness will help the custard soak in even more.

You can also use brioche, which is another egg-based bread.

Slices of apple cinnamon bread on a white plate with a fork, next to a loaf pan with more bread and a mug filled with a dark beverage.

How to make this recipe

Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. It should be about 10 packed cups of bread cubes. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, eggnog, milk, sugar, vanilla, rum, nutmeg, and cinnamon until blended.

To keep your spices from clumping when they are added to the liquid, you can whisk them into the granulated sugar before mixing in.

Butter a 9×5-inch loaf pan and add the bread, gently pressing down to fit. Pour the custard over the bread, making sure to cover all of the exposed pieces of bread.

A whisk in a white bowl with a dry mixture, next to a striped cloth on a textured surface.

Chopped bread cubes in a rectangular baking pan next to a striped cloth on a gray textured surface.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. If you like, you can make this the night before and chill overnight.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the loaf pan from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap.

Make the topping: In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.

A bowl of dry oatmeal with a spoon, placed on a textured gray surface, next to a striped cloth.

A rectangular baking dish filled with crumbled topping sits on a textured gray surface next to a striped cloth.

Gently press down the bread in the loaf pan until the liquid starts to seep up. Sprinkle the crumble evenly over the top.

Bake the french toast casserole for 55-60 minutes, until the top is nicely golden.

Let cool a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Loaf pan with crumb-topped cake on a striped cloth.

Recipe tips

You will want a challah that is about 1 pound. Most loaves are sold at this size, but be sure to check so you have enough bread. If there is extra, save for another use.

Make sure to use a 9×5-inch loaf pan, not an 8×4-inch pan. If you do not have a 9×5-inch loaf pan, you can use a a 9×9 square cake pan instead.

For a nutty flavor, add finely chopped pecans to the crumble topping.

Do not skip out on the nutmeg, as it is part of what gives eggnog its special flavor! You can also add other warming spices, like ground cardamom or ginger.

Still have extra eggnog on hand? Make eggnog ice cream or eggnog cookies!

Two slices of cinnamon swirl bread on a plate with syrup, next to a fork and a small green pitcher, with a loaf pan containing more bread in the background.

This eggnog French toast is such a great breakfast for Christmas morning!

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