This easy chocolate chip sourdough French toast casserole is a great way to start the day. Made from leftover sourdough bread, this casserole is quick to make a feeds many.
A few weeks ago, one of our sweet friends welcomed their second baby to the world! Right away we planned on bringing over a morning meal which could be enjoyed right away or frozen for later. What better way to share something you love with someone then blessing them with your ability to make sourdough baked goods!
We were torn between this recipe below, sourdough bagels with chocolate chips and our sourdough French toast casserole with cream cheese dollops and a crumble on top. I am so happy to have the capacity to be able to bring over a quick meal to bless their family.
One of our favorite ways to bless people is through food. And an easy sourdough French toast casserole is just the recipe we wanted to deliver.
Made with chocolate chips, sourdough bread and a cream cheese drizzle, this recipe is one I plan on making many times in the future. Not only did our family enjoy it, but theirs did too.
The bread is moist and falls apart easily when served. The pieces are bite sized and easy to eat with one hand (if you like!). Which makes it perfect for moms feeding themselves (and any kids running around!).
This chocolate sourdough french toast casserole recipe is a great make ahead recipe and can be shared with other easily. And leftovers are easy to reheat, too.
Why you will love this Chocolate Chip Sourdough French toast casserole
Kitchen Equipment
There are a few pieces of kitchen equipment which make this recipe easy.
- Baking Dish (of choice)
- 8×8 or 9×13 glass
- Casserole dish
- Aluminum Pan with lid
- If sharing with others, these work great
- Large mixing Bowl
Ingredients for Sourdough Chocolate Chip French Toast Casserole
This easy sourdough French toast casserole comes together with a small amount of ingredients.
Sourdough French Toast Casserole
- Sourdough Bread
This is a great way to use stale bread, leftover bread / day-old bread, ends or bread (or if you are in our household – the crusts of bread our toddler does not like). We love to keep a bag of crusty bread our freezer specifically for this purpose and sourdough breadcrumbs. And as an added bonus, any type of bread works – french bread, challah bread, brioche, chocolate sourdough bread, etc.
If you have a fresh loaf of bread, this recipe will work, too! The bread may not soak up as much of the wet ingredients.
- Milk
- Any kind of milk can be used within this recipe for moisture. Dairy free milk (almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk), heavy cream, full-fat milk / whole milk are options
- Eggs
- Eggs are the main binding ingredient within this casserole. If you use less, the sourdough casserole will fall apart easier. If you use more, it will stick together.
- Vanilla Extract
- Ground Cinnamon
- White Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Chocolate Chips
- Any type of chocolate chips can be used within this recipe – regular chocolate chips, semi sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, etc. Our favorite are mini chocolate chips.
Cream Cheese Glaze
We love cream cheese glaze and frosting to add a little extra sweetness to recipes without going overboard. This is a similar version to what we top our homemade sourdough cinnamon rolls with – divine!
- Cream Cheese
- Full fat or reduced fat cream cheese can be used
- Milk
- Vanilla Extract
- Powdered Sugar
Toppings
This is great served alone, but it is also great when served with toppings like fresh fruit, whipped cream, a drizzle of maple syrup or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
How to make Chocolate Sourdough French Toast Casserole
This recipe comes together in a jiffy, like our other ‘stir and go’ recipes. One of our favorite ways to make this recipe is to mix the ingredients together the night before and make it the next morning.
If you prefer to mix this recipe together in the morning, it still will turn out great- however the casserole will be more ‘egg like’ in consistency as it will not be absorbed into the bread. Skip the overnight soak, stir together and bake straight away.
By allowing the sourdough bread to sit overnight, it allows the flavors to develop and the bread to soak up the ingredients. This provides a moist and flavorful French toast casserole.
Start by cutting or tearing your sourdough bread into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, mix the wet ingredients together and pour over the sourdough bread pieces.
Place in a prepared 8×8 or 9×13 baking dish. For best results, allow to sit overnight. The next day, sprinkle with chocolate chips.
Set the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes (depending on what pan you use). The eggs will be cooked through and the top of the casserole will be lightly golden brown.
While the sourdough chocolate chip French toast casserole is in the oven, prepare the cream cheese glaze.
Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before placing the cream cheese glaze on top of the bread. Serve warm or allow to cool completely before placing in the fridge. Place into the freezer when completely cooled. Slice the french toast bake into small portions for easy meal prep, if desired.
It is also always optional to serve with maple syrup, powdered sugar or fresh fruit.
How to store Sourdough French Toast Casserole (with chocolate chips)
To store sourdough chocolate chip French toast casserole, place it into the fridge because of the cream cheese glaze. Enjoy leftovers for 3-5 days before placing into the freezer within a ziplock bag or airtight container. Casserole can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months before it should be used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sourdough Chocolate Chip French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Baking dish of choice 8×8 glass pan, 9×9 glass pan or aluminum pan with foil lid
Ingredients
Sourdough French Toast Casserole
- 6 cups sourdough bread
- 4 eggs
- 8 ounces milk heavy cream, coconut milk, etc.
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 TBS vanilla extract
- 2 TBS maple syrup can add more based on desired sweetness
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips All chocolate chip flavors and varieties work. We love mini chocolate chips on this recipe
Cream Cheese Glaze
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar adjust based on desired sweetness
- 1 Tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp milk +/- depending on desired thickness of glaze
Instructions
Overnight Method
- In a large bowl, create the wet mixture by combining vanilla extract, cinnamon, maple syrup, sugar, milk and eggs together.Cut, tear or shape bread into 1-2 inch cubes and place in greased baking dish.
- Pour the wet mixture over top of the sourdough bread. Top with chocolate chips. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and allow to soak overnight in the fridge.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture tonight if desired.
- Cream Cheese Mixture and Crumble
- The next morning, remove the casserole from the fridge. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake until warm and bubbly – about 25-30 minutes. Baking time will differ depending on the size of your baking dish.
- Allow to cool 5-10 minutes before topping with cream cheese glaze. Enjoy by itself, with a drizzle of maple syrup or fresh fruit.
Video
Notes
- A 8×8 pan will give you a deeper dish French toast casserole where the 9×13 pan will spread out more. The 9×13 pan will cook faster than the 8×8 pan.
- The outside edges will bake faster than the middle of the casserole. For best results, check to ensure the middle is done by shaking the baking dish. The egg mixture should not move.
- Recipe is highly variable to what you have on hand. If you have more eggs, add them; more sourdough bread, add it. Adjust the egg mixture so the bread is covered but not completely saturated.
- Overnight method will ensure the softest casserole as the flavors come together.
Nutrition
Have you ever shared (or received) a home cooked meal with another family member or friend before? If so, what one is your favorite? When our family welcomed a new little one, we always loved meals like French toast casserole or baked spaghetti as they reheat great as leftovers. Let us know in the comments below!
Yum!! Looks amazing!
So many things I love all together! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
You are welcome. Our favorite ingredient in the dish is chocolate (hence why we made a round up of the best sourdough recipes with chocolate!).
We consider it a ‘must’ if fruit is not in a breakfast casserole.