Sweet Dreams: Overnight Pecan Pie French Toast Recipe

Lazy weekend mornings call for something special, and this decadent overnight pecan pie French toast delivers pure breakfast bliss.

Rich, buttery pecans mingle with soft bread soaked in a luxurious custard that promises indulgence in every bite.

Weekend brunch has never looked so tempting or felt so effortless.

The sweet caramel-like sauce seeps into each slice, creating a dessert-worthy breakfast experience.

Minimal morning prep means you can wake up to a mouthwatering meal that feels like a sweet celebration.

Comfort and convenience blend perfectly in this make-ahead breakfast that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Get ready to start your day with a slice of pure morning magic.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 9

Overnight Pecan Pie French Toast: What to Buy

• Milk: Provides creamy richness and helps soak the bread evenly.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious texture and depth to the custard mixture.
• Eggs, Egg Yolks: Bind ingredients together and create a silky, custardy consistency.
• Vanilla: Brings warm, sweet aromatic flavor to enhance the overall taste.

• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel undertones and helps create a sticky glaze.
• Corn Syrup: Ensures smooth, glossy texture and prevents crystallization.
• Maple Syrup: Adds authentic sweetness with complex woodland notes.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth, glossy base.

• Bread (Sliced): Serves as the main carrier for the creamy custard mixture.
• Pecans: Introduces nutty crunch and earthy flavor to complement the sweet base.

What Tools to Grab for Overnight French Toast

• Large bowl: Perfect for mixing liquid ingredients thoroughly.
• Whisk: Essential for beating eggs and blending mixtures smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Casserole dish (3-quart): Key for baking and presenting the dish.
• Small saucepan: Needed for melting butter and creating pecan sauce.
• Plastic wrap: Used for covering and storing the soaked bread overnight.
• Spatula: Helpful for spreading sauce and arranging bread slices.
• Oven: Required for baking the french toast.

How to Make Pecan Pie French Toast Overnight

• Creamy Milk Bath Soak bread slices in a luscious blend of milk, cream, eggs, and vanilla. Let the bread luxuriate and absorb all the rich flavors overnight in the refrigerator.
• Pecan Caramel Base Create a decadent sticky foundation by melting butter and whisking in brown sugar, corn syrup, and maple syrup. Sprinkle pecans generously across the bottom of a baking dish.
• Bread Layering Gently place the soaked bread slices over the nutty caramel base, creating a beautiful golden canvas of deliciousness.
• Oven Magic Bake in a preheated oven until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the edges become crispy and caramelized.
• Serving Comfort Let the dish rest briefly after removing from the oven. Serve warm, allowing the caramel to drip tantalizingly over each slice, creating a breakfast experience that feels like a warm hug.

Tips for Overnight French Toast You’ll Love

• Choose thick-cut challah or brioche for maximum absorption and rich, custardy texture that elevates the entire dish.
• Prepare the entire casserole the night before to streamline morning breakfast preparation and let flavors develop overnight.
• Replace pecans with walnuts, almonds, or mixed nuts for a personalized twist that matches your flavor preferences.
• Reduce corn syrup by half and add a drizzle of honey for a more complex, less sugary caramel-like topping that balances the richness.
• Swap milk and cream with coconut milk or almond milk to create a delicious alternative for those with dietary restrictions.

Serving Up Pecan Pie French Toast

• Drizzle Maple Magic: Top each serving with a generous stream of warm maple syrup, letting it cascade over the golden-brown French toast and pool around the caramelized pecans.
• Whipped Cream Wonderland: Add a fluffy dollop of freshly whipped cream on top, creating a cloud-like contrast to the rich, sticky pecan layer.
• Breakfast Side Delight: Pair with crispy bacon strips or fresh seasonal berries to balance the sweetness and add a burst of complementary flavors.
• Garnish with Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle extra chopped pecans over the top for an additional textural element and nutty boost that enhances the dish's rustic charm.

Keeping It Fresh: French Toast Storage Advice

• Refrigerate Right: Store the prepared French toast casserole in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping its delicious flavors and texture intact.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the cooled dish tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or place the entire dish in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy edges return.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the recipe the night before serving to save morning cooking time and enhance the bread's flavor absorption.

Decadent Pecan Pie French Toast Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Luxurious pecan pie french toast combines classic breakfast indulgence with Southern dessert charm. Crisp bread layers soak in rich custard, caramelizing with maple-glazed pecans for an irresistible morning experience you will crave.

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Ingredients

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• 6 large eggs
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 cup whole milk (240 ml)
• 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
• 2 tbsps vanilla extract
• 1 loaf French bread, cut into 8 slices
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• ⅓ cup light corn syrup
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 6 tbsps unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Custard Preparation: Blend whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until silky and homogeneous.
2. Bread Soaking: Arrange bread slices in a deep container, thoroughly drenching each piece with the custard mixture by gently pouring and pressing to ensure complete absorption.
3. Chilling Process: Cover soaked bread with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 6-8 hours, allowing bread to fully incorporate the creamy custard.
4. Caramel Foundation: Melt butter in a saucepan, then whisk in dark brown sugar, corn syrup, maple syrup, and chopped pecans until creating a glossy, rich caramel mixture.
5. Dish Assembly: Spread pecan caramel evenly across the bottom of a 3-quart casserole dish, then carefully layer the custard-soaked bread slices on top for complete coverage.
6. Baking Stage: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35-40 minutes until the surface turns golden-brown and the custard sets completely.
7. Resting and Serving: Let the french toast rest for 5 minutes to allow caramel to slightly firm and flavors to meld before serving warm.

Notes

• Plan Ahead: Refrigerate the bread mixture for at least 6 hours or overnight to ensure maximum flavor absorption and a luxurious, custardy texture.
• Bread Selection Matters: Use day-old, slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for the best absorption and a more substantial casserole structure.
• Caramel Precision: Whisk the pecan caramel mixture thoroughly to prevent sugar crystallization and create a smooth, glossy coating.
• Serving Tip: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the caramel to set and flavors to meld, ensuring a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg