Sweet and Simple Make-Ahead French Toast Bake

Imagine waking up to the smell of cinnamon, warm bread, and bubbling fruit — all without lifting a finger that morning. This make-ahead French Toast Bake is one of those recipes that feels like a cozy hug from the kitchen… and it might just become your new family favorite.

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There’s something special about a baked French toast casserole — it’s the kind of breakfast that feels like a warm hug from the kitchen. This version combines fluffy cubes of bread soaked in a sweet cinnamon-vanilla custard and topped with juicy fruit for a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s the perfect make-ahead breakfast for slow weekends, brunch with friends, or holidays with family — simple, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Best after overnight refrigeration, 4 hours minimum

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Bake Time: 35-40 minutes

Ingredients: 1.5 lb Cinnamon Sugar Bread

8 large eggs


2 cups milk


2 tsp vanilla extract


1 tsp cinnamon


2/3 cup brown sugar


2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries


1-2 tbsp powdered sugar

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Instructions:

1. Lightly grease a 9x13” baking dish with butter or your favorite oil. Cut your bread into bite-sized cubes and fill the dish about three-quarters full.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar until everything’s smooth and well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the bread, making sure each piece gets coated.

3. Sprinkle strawberries on top.

4. Cover the dish tightly and let it rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours — or overnight if you want to prep it ahead.

5. When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, checking around the 35-minute mark. The top should be golden and the center set.

6. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, drizzle with warm maple syrup, and enjoy that cozy goodness!

Notes:

You can easily make this recipe your own! Swap in any fruit you love — peaches, apples, blueberries, or a mix of berries all work beautifully. And while I love using my homemade cinnamon sugar bread for extra flavor, a classic French loaf or your favorite sandwich bread works just as well. This one’s meant to be flexible and fit any season of the year.

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And... in case you missed it... we just launched our first ever virtual cookbook.

The Living Cookbook

A Virtual Recipe Collection

From my table to yours — recipes for gathering, comfort, and joy.

What if mealtime wasn’t just another box to check?

What if it became the anchor of your day — a moment to slow down, gather close, and savor something that warms your heart as much as your home?

That’s exactly why I created The Living Cookbook — a growing digital collection of tried-and-true, family-loved recipes for every season of life.

🥄 What Makes It “Living”?

Unlike a printed cookbook that sits on a shelf gathering dust, this one grows with you.

👩‍🍳 New recipes added seasonally — so you’re never stuck in a dinner rut

📝 Virtual format — view it anywhere, anytime

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Family-tested favorites — approved by real moms and hungry kid

s📅 Seasonal dishes — perfect for holidays, Sunday suppers, and every night in between

Whether you’re meal planning for a busy week, prepping for a family get-together, or just trying to get dinner on the table without a meltdown — this cookbook has you covered.

💡 Perfect For:

Moms who want less stress and more joy in the kitchen

Families who value gathering around the table

Anyone craving comfort food with purpose

People who love simple, southern-inspired meals made from pantry staples

📚 What’s Inside:

✔️ Instant Pot Staples

✔️ Holiday Traditions

✔️ Crowd-Pleasing Dishes

✔️ Homemade Breads + Treats

✔️ Family Favorites

✔️ And so much more...

And since this is a living collection, you’ll always have something fresh and seasonal to look forward to.

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I created this to inspire you, equip you, and empower you to create moments of connection and comfort — no matter the season.

Peek Inside:

Here are some of the recipes you'll find inside-

Berry Compote

Rum Peach French Toast

Sausage Breakfast Gravy

Cinnamon Sugar Bread

Berry French Toast Bake

Apple Walnut Bread

Apple Fritter Donuts

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Creamy Tuna Casserole

Crack Chicken Soup

Chicken Parm

Homemade Marinara

Nashville Hot Chicken

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Simply Seasoned Roasted Chicken

Roasted Chicken Ciabatta Melt

Thyme Lemon Roasted Chicken

Mexican Salsa

Pineapple Mango Salsa

Cranberry Cream Cheese Ball

Sloppy Joes

Fall off the Bone Pork Ribs

Perfect Tempura

Panko Crusted Chicken Bites

Chicken Tostadas

Bang Bang Chicken

Chicken and Biscuit Pot Pie

Cajun Shrimp Carbonara

Shredded Beef Enchiladas

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Greek Pasta SaladBaked Beans

Chili Dogs

Whipped Cream

Lemon Blueberry Bars

No Bake Eclair

Chocolate Ganache

Pecan Pie

Peach Cobbler

Banana Walnut Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sugar Cookies

Molasses Cookies

Oatmeal Crème Pies

Love Bugs

Please note: Due to the digital nature of this product, all sales are final. This is a pre-launch offer, and the price reflects the ongoing additions and updates.

Ready to Make Meal Planning Easier?

Grab your copy here of my virtual cookbook today and start enjoying simple, southern recipes that your whole family will love.

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Thank you for spending a few moments of your day here in my kitchen.

I hope you leave inspired to try something new — a recipe that brings your family together, fills your home with comfort, and reminds you that joy is found in the little things (and sometimes, in the perfect bite).

If today’s recipe made your table a little sweeter, here are a few ways we can keep cooking together:

📬 Subscribe for Recipe Updates — never miss a new meal idea, holiday bake, or cozy kitchen favorite.

🥣 Grab my Living Cookbook — filled with family-approved, tried-and-true recipes that grow with you through every season.

🛒 Shop my Amazon Pantry & Kitchen Gadgets — from my go-to spices to the cookware I use daily, you’ll find everything I love in one place.

🌿 Join the Joyful Life Community — a free space for connection, encouragement, and practical tips for every season.

📸 Follow along on Instagram or Facebook for behind-the-scenes life, daily inspiration, and my latest projects.

📌 Find me on Pinterest for endless homemaking, seasonal, and family activity ideas.

🎙 Listen to the Podcast or

🎥 watch on YouTube for deeper conversations and stories we can share together.

💛 Shop my favorite finds & discounts — from home essentials to seasonal must-haves, I’ve gathered them in one place for you (some are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting my family and this space!).

Your support means the world — it allows me to create, share, and raise my little ones from home, which is truly our family’s dream. Thank you for being here and for making this space such a joy to pour into.

With Joy and gratitude,

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