Cinnamon Cream Cheese Stuffed Pumpkin French Toast Casserole is the ultimate in breakfast casseroles. It's creamy, sweet, and a holiday breakfast staple.
In our home we enjoy some sort of French toast casserole for breakfast on Thanksgiving and Christmas morning. It's the scent of warm cinnamon baking while we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or while we are unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning that gives it an extra holiday feel.
It's just part of our tradition. I couldn't see our holiday mornings without it. This year we are adding a new flavor twist on our favorite holiday tradition with this Cinnamon Cream Cheese Stuffed Pumpkin French Toast Casserole. Say that fast five times. Ha.
It's a mouthful to say, and it's a mouthful to eat, but it's one that, if you love French toast casserole or stuffed French toast for that matter, then this is going to become your favorite.
I think we ate French toast no less than 20 times for dinner over the last couple of months while I was trying to find the one that made everyone say "this is it."
We had a lot of really sweet, but tasty dinners that we balanced out with sausage and bacon. I finally nailed down a recipe that was perfect, and I knew that this one was it. Stuffing it with a cinnamon cream cheese is just so perfect.
I can't believe I didn't think of it before.
The idea came from my wanting a pumpkin French Toast casserole because Thanksgiving and pumpkin are best friends.
The stuffed part came from Kayla. She said something about those stuffed French Toasts from IHop are amazing, so why can't you stuff this with cream cheese some how.
Well I can, I did, and you can too! You're welcome!
This is a sweet breakfast, but it's not as sweet as other French toast casseroles I've had before. I decided that the less sweet the better, that way the consumer can decide how much maple syrup they want to top it with.
I've used fresh ciabatta bread from Publix, but you could use any bread that you can slice up into thick chunks. You don't need this to soak overnight (yay), it only needs two hours, but I prefer soaking overnight, because I don't want to get up two hours early to prep this.
This would be perfect for a holiday brunch! Or just any day you feel like having a French toast casserole that's a little extra special.
Talk about a perfect weekend breakfast! I also like to serve up French toast casseroles for birthday breakfasts because it's an extra special breakfast. I don't know about you, but we don't eat this kind of breakfast on the regular.
Although wouldn't it be nice if you could?!
CAN I USE ANY TYPE OF BREAD?
You want to choose a thick bread – like French bread, Brioche, or challah
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE:
- Make sure that you slice your bread thick – thin slices won’t hold up, and will get mushy.
- Slicing your bread, and leaving it out for several hours to help dry it out, before assembling is a great idea.
HOW DO YOU STORE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE?
For already cooked french toast casserole, allow to cool completely, and cover with foil. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
REHEATING FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE?
Leave the foil covering the pan, and place into a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until warmed all the way through.
HOLIDAY BREAKFAST INSPIRATIONS:
- Quick and Easy No Rise Cinnamon Rolls
- Very Berry French Toast Casserole
- Tots and Sausage Casserole
- Baked Hash Brown Cups
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Stuffed Pumpkin French Toast
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Stuffed Pumpkin French Toast Casserole is the ultimate in breakfast casseroles. It's creamy, sweet, and a holiday breakfast staple.
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 2 teaspoons Rodelle Pumpkin Spice Extract
- 16 ounces ciabatta bread, or other bread of your choice, cut into cubes
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- ⅓ cup confectioners sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Crumb Topping
- ¼ cup flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar, light
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl attached to a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese for two minutes, until it's nice and creamy. Beat in the cinnamon and confectioners sugar until fluffy. About two minutes. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice extract until nice and foamy on the top. Set aside.
- In an 11X7 inch baking dish spray the sides and bottom with non-stick cooking spray. Place half of the cubed bread in the bottom, and pour half the of the pumpkin mix over the top evenly. Spread the cream cheese filling over the tops. It's messy, but well worth it. It's better to dollop it all over, and then use a rubber spatula to spread it. Top the cream cheese mixture with the rest of the bread cubes, pour the remainder of the pumpkin mix over that, and using a rubber spatula, give it a good mushing down. Cover with foil and place in the fridge for two hours, or overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the topping by mixing the ingredients in a small bowl, and mix with your fingers until you get coarse crumbs. Sprinkle all over the top of the bread, and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Serve immediately with warmed maple syrup.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 371Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 419mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 2gSugar: 15gProtein: 10g
Amber Myers
Please excuse me while I drool all over myself. This looks absolutely amazing! I'd have it at any time of the day. Yum.
Alli Smith
This is the perfect breakfast or brunch recipe! I love that it only has 3 eggs because some french toast casseroles can be way too eggy for my taste. Your recipe looks perfect! I know my holiday guests will love to wake up to the smell of this casserole baking.
Jessica Joachim
Oh my this looks amazing! I totally need to make this on Sunday when I do our big weekly family breakfast! I know my daughter would love it too.
rosemary palmer
Oh how ooey, gooey, and delicious this looks. Perfect for any breakfast or brunch around the holidays. Have to try it.
candy
What is not to love about this cinnamon cream cheese stuffed pumpkin french toast. There is nothing not to enjoy about this recipe.
Christina
Ermahgerd this casserole looks amazing. I mean, cinnamon, cream cheese. french toast, AND pumpkin puree? It's like I've died and gone to fall heaven 🙂
Tomi c
This looks so delicious! I've never used ciabatta bread in my french toast casseroles, we usually use cinnamon swirl, but we may have to try it using ciabatta bread. Looks delicious!
1stopmom
I love to make a breakfast casserole for Christmas morning too. It is one less thing I have to worry about. This recipe looks delicious and I need to try it. It is a plus that I can make it the night before.
Angela Tolsma
This looks seriously so delicious. I have always wanted to make stuffed french toast and making it into a casserole just would make that easier!
Kayla Uimari
I love french toast and I love cream cheese! It's so cool that you made this into a casserole, will definitely have to try!
Catherine
This sounds like such a fabulous Fall treat! I'd love waking up to this over the weekend 🙂
Karen Morse
I don't think I've had anything like this before! It looks amazing and it's not that difficult to make either. I love French toast so this recipe is a win for me! What a lovely tradition.
Marysa
This looks amazing! I would love to make this for a weekend brunch. I usually don't do very well at making french toast, but I think I could handle making this. Yum!
Liz Mays
Oh gosh, I'm really liking the sound of this! It looks so delicious, especially with the maple syrup!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
OK...this is FALL on a plate. What a great weekend brunch item. You can never have too many pumpkin recipes in my books. I can just imagine the aroma as this bakes.
Pam
This looks so good. You can never go wrong with the combo of cream cheese and pumpkin!
Adriana Lopez Martin
Beautiful idea for a family breakfast and also for a Thanksgiving brunch. The combination of flavors is delightful. Casseroles are such good options to feed a crowd.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife
We usually enjoy some sort of big breakfast/brunch with a French Toast casserole for Christmas morning too and I love your cream cheese stuffed version!
Tim B
Wow this is a creative recipe! I like not only is it tasty but also adds in some autumn flair with the pumpkin as an ingredient. Very nice!
Nikki
Oh my gosh, there are SO many good things about this breakfast treat! I would end up eating half of the pan myself! I love pumpkin, and cream cheese stuffed french toast is one of my favorite things to eat when we go out for breakfast.
Noel
What a nice twist on the usual breakfast casseroles. This one seems like it would be good enough to eat from the pan, but I'm a huge maple syrup fan so would be drowning my serving in syrup! LOL
Calleigh K
I can hear my waist is screaming for mercy everything I see this kind of desserts. Indeed, its perfect for Thanksgiving.
Sarah Bailey
Now this sounds like something I need to try - but something I have never tried anything like. However you had me a cream cheese so I will soon be trying it for myself.
Andrea The Petite Cook
This looks perfect for a Sunday brunch!
Tina | The Worktop
You had french toast casserole 20 times?! You lucky you! I absolutely love french toast casserole - can't wait to try this one!
Christia Colquitt
Wow! I would not have thought of putting this together, but it sounds delicious. Love your creativity.
Kita Bryant
Oh my lands, this is heaven in a casserole. This looks delicious and I bet the kids would love me forever if I made it for breakfast.
Claudia Krusch
This looks so delicious and easy to make. I wish I had some to try right now. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this weekend. I am sure it will be a big hit in my house.
Terri Steffes
jaw drop.
What????? Oh my lordy, this looks like something made in heaven and given to all the good boys and girls! Wow!
Dogvills
A french toast casserole! Wow. This must taste heavenly! I can't wait to make this and see the satisfied faces of my family with every bite. We're going to have happy tummies tomorrow.
Erica
I love the concept of a French toast casserole. Sounds super yummy and like it would be great with a cup of coffee. I eat pancakes and waffles from time to time. But I honestly haven't had French toast since I was a kid. So now I'm totally craving it.
Melissa Chapman
Wow this looks like a lovely recipe to recreate. I enjoy making sweet treats that also have a hearty taste. Thank you for enlightening me with this recipe.
Cindy Ingalls
This casserole looks insanely delicious. I love the idea of making it part of your holiday tradition. I may add it to my Thanksgiving shopping list. It would be fun to surprise my family with it one morning.
Kimberly C.
Don't laugh but I haven't made a casserole in so long, and as a mother with many little minions, this must be corrected now! Thank you for this recipe, I can almost taste it!
AnnMarie John
This looks so decadent! A French toast casserole sounds so good. I'm sure it's going to be loved by the family, especially the kids! This recipe is a keeper.
Roxanne
This looks completely amazing! I can't wait to try this out for our next Saturday morning breakfast!
Katrina
Oh wow this looks absolutely delicious! Will have to give it a go for breakfast this weekend!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
French toast is my absolute favorite breakfast treat. You can have pancakes and waffles. Just give me French Toast but this recipe takes the dish to another sphere. I may not have kiddos in the house any more to make French Toast but this dish I'll make just for me.
Jeanine
I am not a fan of pumpkin but that said my husband is as are a few of my kids and I know they'd LOVE this. I am going to make it for them!
Debi at Life Currents
This looks great for all fall and winter breakfasts! So creamy and luscious. I love this idea - yum!
Veena Azmanov
Now that's a beautiful fall recipe. Love the idea of pumpkin, cream cheese and cinnamon. I can almost smell the cinnamon in there. Love the color pumpkin gives this - perfect for a fall weekend in our home.
Erica D Ardali
I love baked french toast. I make a pretty mean one myself! I love how different this one looks and I bet the cream cheese just adds to the yum factor.
Ayana Pitterson
Wow, that looks amazing. I am hosting Thanksgiving this year, and I am also on the lookout for an amazing breakfast recipe for a large group. i am going to give this a try with my immediate family to see if this might be the one. looks fantastic.
thrifting diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
I love crumb topping and will try to add that in anything I bake. You got me on the crumb topping and these flavors are just perfect for the fall weather. Looks delicious and I can eat it anytime of the day.
Charlotte
wow a fantastic collection of some of our favourite things haha casserole, cream cheese and cinnamon! Looks delish
swathi
This is great for a get together may be as brunch or breakfast during thanksgiving. As it fall flavor pumpkin and crumb topping and cream cheese, so many good stuffs in a single dish.
Paula Bendfeldt
My mouth is watering right now. This sounds and looks delicious. I can't wait to make this recipe.
Heather
So much about this is screaming perfect fall breakfast to me. WOWZA, this looks amazing! I'd love to make this when we have family visiting for the holidays.
Lily Ashley
Uhmm This looks so delicious. Never had tasted that. Quite easy to prepare. Thanks for the recipe.
Jennifer
My husband would absolutely LOVE this recipe. He is crazy about all things french toast, and cinnamon is a favorite!
Nailil
This looks absolutely delicious. I need to give it a try.