12 Hour French Toast

12 Hour French Toast – A Sweet, Custardy and Filling Breakfast

While on our honeymoon cruise, Connor and I had the ship’s version of 12-Hour French Toast, and it was absolutely incredible. Connor immediately asked me to figure out how to make it at home, so I took on the challenge. It took a full week of testing different versions—eating French toast every single day—until I finally landed on this perfected recipe. Trust me, you won’t regret trying it!

This recipe creates soft, custardy French toast with just the right amount of sweetness. The best part? You do all the prep the night before, so in the morning, all that’s left is cooking it on a griddle or nonstick pan. It’s perfect for holiday breakfasts, weekend brunch, or even just a cozy start to your day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Make-Ahead Convenience – Prep it at night, cook it in the morning.

✔️ Rich & Custardy – Soaks overnight for the perfect texture.

✔️ Customizable – Top with berries, syrup, whipped cream, or nuts for extra flavor.

✔️ No-Stress Mornings – Wake up to an easy, delicious meal with no mess.

✔️ Great for Meal Prep – Stores well in the fridge or freezer and reheats perfectly in the toaster.

Ready to Cook? Here is the Recipe below!

If you want a stress-free, crowd-pleasing breakfast, this is it!

Ingredients

6 large eggs
1 1/2cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
8-10 slices of bread (Texas toast or white bread recommended)

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, brown sugar, and maple syrup until well combined.
Dip each slice of bread into the mixture, coating both sides, and place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with plastic wrap.
Pour any remaining egg mixture over the top of the bread.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors soak in.
In the morning, heat a griddle or nonstick pan over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter.
Cook each slice for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve warm with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Storage & Reheating

Store cooked French toast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
To reheat, simply pop a slice in the toaster for a crispy, warm breakfast in minutes.

Topping Ideas

Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Maple syrup or honey
Powdered sugar
Whipped cream (see homemade recipe below!)
Chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, or walnuts)
Cinnamon sugar

Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe

A dollop of fresh whipped cream takes this French toast to the next level! Here’s how to make it at home:

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

In a chilled mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
Add in the sugar and vanilla extract, and continue beating until stiff peaks form.
Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

This simple homemade whipped cream is light, fluffy, and the perfect finishing touch for your French toast.