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Cranberry French Toast Bake is the ultimate holiday breakfast that combines warm spices with sweet and tart cranberry syrup. Make it a centerpiece for your next brunch or family gathering, and celebrate the season with every delicious bite.

Close-up of a slice of French Toast Bake topped with cranberry syrup, served on a black plate with an orange slice garnish.


 

The holidays are all about spending time with friends and family, and that means lots of food! This Cranberry French Toast Bake is a delightful combination of buttery croissants, rich custard, and tangy cranberry syrup that is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to prepare. Whether you’re hosting a family brunch or looking for an overnight breakfast casserole to serve on Christmas morning, this baked French toast recipe will bring festive cheer to your table.

Cranberries are an amazing winter berry that don’t get nearly as much attention as they deserve. They have a great tart flavor that mellows out with the addition of a little sugar. This recipe pairs cranberry and orange together. The orange zest and natural sweetness of the orange helps to counteract the tartness of the cranberries.

Whether you’re planning an intimate Christmas morning or a lively New Year’s brunch, this easy brunch recipe will impress your guests and leave them asking for the recipe.

We love making the holidays a little easy make sure to check out some of our other Christmas breakfast recipes.

A collection of ingredients including croissants, a bag of cranberries, oranges, eggs, milk, heavy whipping cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and spices on a dark surface.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Croissant French Toast

  • Croissants – We used medium-sized croissants but you may find yours are smaller or larger than ours. You’ll just want to make sure you have enough to fill your baking dish.
  • Wet ingredients – Eggs, milk, cream, and vanilla come together to form the base of the custard.
  • Warm spices – Ground cinnamon and nutmeg give the French toast a warm holiday flavor.
  • Sugar – A couple of spoonfuls of sugar sweetened the custard to help offset the tart cranberries.
  • Orange zest – A little bit of orange zest in the custard flavors the whole dish.

For the Cranberry Syrup

  • Cranberries – We prefer using fresh cranberries for this recipe but you can also use frozen cranberries if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Sugar – The sugar offsets the tartness of the cranberries and helps the mixture thicken into a delicious syrup.
  • Orange – You’ll use the juice and the zest from the orange to add a bit of citrus flavor to the syrup.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Baked croissant casserole in a black rectangular dish on a dark textured surface.

Prepare the Croissant French Toast

  1. Preheat and Grease. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Create the Custard Mixture. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and orange zest until smooth. This fragrant custard mixture will infuse the croissants with rich, warming flavors.
  3. Layer the Croissants. Slice croissants in half (top and bottom) and arrange the bottoms in the baking dish. Pour half the custard mixture over them, ensuring each piece is soaked.
    Add the croissant tops and pour the remaining custard over the layers. Tear croissants into smaller pieces if needed for a snug fit.
  4. Refrigerate for Best Results. Cover the dish with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, for optimal flavor and texture. This step ensures the croissants fully absorb the custard.
  5. Bake to Perfection. Remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown.
A saucepan contains cranberries, orange zest, sugar, and liquid on a gray cloth.

Make the Cranberry Syrup

  1. Combine Ingredients. Combine cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a small saucepan.
  2. Cook. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture boils. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the syrup thickens.
  3. Cool and Serve. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before pouring over the baked French toast.

Tips for Success

  1. Use Day-Old Croissants: Slightly stale croissants soak up the custard better without becoming mushy.
  2. Experiment with Flavors: Add almond extract, cardamom, or chopped nuts for a twist on this classic baked French toast recipe.
  3. Double the Syrup: If serving a crowd, make extra cranberry syrup to drizzle over individual portions.
A tray of baked croissant French Toast Casserole topped with cranberry syrup and dollops of whipped cream.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve your Cranberry French Toast Bake warm, topped with the tangy cranberry syrup.
  • Add whipped cream, powdered sugar, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts for extra indulgence.
  • Pair with coffee, hot chocolate, or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for a complete holiday breakfast experience.

Storing Cranberry French Toast Bake

Refrigerating

  • Cool Completely: Allow the French toast bake to cool to room temperature before storing to avoid condensation, which can make it soggy.
  • Use an Airtight Container: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
  • Shelf Life: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Freezing

  • Portion It Out: Slice the bake into individual portions for easy reheating later.
  • Wrap Securely: Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
  • Label and Date: Add a label with the storage date to keep track.
  • Shelf Life: Freeze for up to 2 months.
A square piece of French toast bake topped with cranberry compote on a black plate, garnished with orange slices.

Reheating Cranberry French Toast Bake

From the Refrigerator

  1. Oven Method (Best for Crisp Texture)
    • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
    • Place the French toast bake in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for 15–20 minutes.
    • For a crispier top, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes.
  2. Microwave Method (Quick and Convenient)
    • Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate.
    • Heat on medium power for 1–2 minutes or until warmed through.
    • Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out.

From the Freezer

  1. Oven Method
    • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
    • Remove the plastic wrap, place the frozen portion in an oven-safe dish, and cover with foil.
    • Heat for 25–30 minutes or until fully warmed. For a crispier texture, uncover for the last 10 minutes.
  2. Microwave Method
    • Remove the plastic wrap and place the frozen portion on a microwave-safe plate.
    • Heat on defrost mode for 2–3 minutes, then switch to medium power and heat for an additional 1–2 minutes until fully warmed.

Pro Tips for Reheating

  • Add a small splash of milk or cream to the dish before reheating to restore moisture to the custard.
  • If you made extra cranberry syrup reheat it separately on the stovetop or in the microwave and drizzle it over the bake before serving.
A slice of baked french toast topped with vibrant cranberry compote on a black plate, garnished with orange slices.

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Servings: 10
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Resting Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Cranberry French Toast Bake

Created By: Kat Jeter & Melinda Machado
Cranberry French Toast Bake combines warm spices and tangy cranberry syrup to make the perfect holiday breakfast or brunch casserole.
A slice of cake topped with a thick layer of red berry sauce on a black plate, with an orange slice on the side.
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Ingredients

Croissant French Toast

  • 8 medium Croissants
  • 6 large Eggs
  • 2 cups Whole Milk
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Orange zest

Cranberry Syrup

  • 1.5 cups Cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • Juice of 1 orange
  • 1/2 tablespoon Orange zest

Instructions

Croissant French Toast

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • In a large bowl combine the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and orange zest. Whisk together until well mixed.
  • Slice each croissant in half creating a top and bottom.
  • Layer the croissants bottoms in the baking dish. Pour half of the cream mixture over the croissants.
  • Layer the croissants tops in the baking dish. If needed you can tear the croissant into smaller pieces to ensure they all fits. Pour the remaining cream mixture over the croissants.
  • Cover the dish and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • When ready to bake remove baking dish from the refrigerator and let stand 30 minutes to bring the temperature closer to room temp.
  • After 30 minutes place the dish in the oven and bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover; continue to bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • While the french toast bakes make your cranberry orange syrup.
  • When the french toast has finished baking remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Pour the cranberry syrup over the french toast before serving.

Cranberry Syrup

  • Add all ingredients to a small pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat stirring continuously.
  • Simmer for approximately 15 minutes until it thickens.
  • Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before pouring over baked french toast.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 434kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 175mg, Sodium: 243mg, Potassium: 207mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 31g, Vitamin A: 944IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 114mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Handwritten signature for Kat & Melinda