Imagine waking up to the most incredible, effortless breakfast that fills your home with the warm, inviting aroma of cinnamon and vanilla - without spending hours in the kitchen! This Overnight Crockpot French Toast is the ultimate breakfast hack that transforms ordinary mornings into extraordinary culinary experiences. Perfect for busy families, weekend brunches, or when you want to impress your guests with minimal morning effort, this recipe promises to be your new breakfast superhero.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread, cubed
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Powdered sugar for serving
Instructions
- Grease the inside of your crockpot thoroughly with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cut the French bread into 1-inch cubes, ensuring they are roughly uniform in size for even cooking and absorption of the custard mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Layer the bread cubes evenly in the prepared crockpot, making sure they are distributed uniformly to allow for consistent soaking and cooking.
- Pour the egg and milk mixture slowly over the bread cubes, gently pressing down to ensure all bread pieces are saturated with the liquid.
- Cover the crockpot and refrigerate overnight, allowing the bread to absorb the custard mixture completely (recommended 8-10 hours).
- In the morning, remove the crockpot from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
- Set the crockpot to low heat and cook for 6-8 hours, or until the French toast is set and slightly golden around the edges.
- Once cooking is complete, turn off the crockpot and let the French toast rest for 10-15 minutes to set.
- Serve warm, dusted generously with powdered sugar and optional toppings like fresh berries or additional maple syrup.
Tips
- Choose the right bread: Use day-old French bread or challah for the best texture and absorption of the custard mixture.
- Don't rush the soaking process: Letting the bread soak overnight is crucial for developing rich, deep flavors and achieving that perfect custardy texture.
- Grease your crockpot generously to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- For extra indulgence, consider adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or fresh berries between bread layers.
- If you prefer a firmer texture, cook on low for the shorter end of the recommended time (6 hours).
- Always let the French toast rest after cooking to allow it to set properly and make serving easier.
- Customize your toppings - while powdered sugar is classic, try fresh berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel for variety.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 220mg
