Christmas Day Breakfast: Pear Vanilla French Toast Casserole
Enjoy Christmas Day Breakfast: Pear Vanilla French Toast Casserole! Make ahead this delicious moist breakfast or brunch dish for your holiday company!
Just in time for Christmas Day Breakfast: Pear Vanilla French Toast Casserole should be on your menu! Although this post was written 7 years ago, I miss my sisters at Christmastime, and wish we could be together this weekend.
Christmas Day Breakfast: Pear Vanilla French Toast Casserole
But first, 7 years ago … I was looking forward to my sisters coming over for brunch … to celebrate Christmas, sisterhood, and to reminisce about our Mom.
When our mom passed away, the 3 of us told each other that we’d always remember her at Christmastime by giving to each other, in “Millie-style.” That may sound odd, but our Mom Millie knew exactly “how” to buy gifts for us girls. She knew us well–what we liked, what would make us happy–and she always gave us the perfect gifts.
So gifts from eachother are under or tree today!
So what did I serve for breakfast/brunch for my sisters?
Easy Pear French Toast Casserole, which you prepare the night before.
Sisters are easy. They don’t look too carefully at the dishes in the sink, the unvacuumed floor, or the clutter-y piles around the house (Christmas cards, wrapping paper, … stuff everywhere). Sisters are also easy because they, just like my Mom, know exactly what kind of gifts to give. I am blessed by my wonderful sisters!
Pear Vanilla French Toast Casserole
The point of my story today is this: Make life simpler on Christmas morning by making my Pear Vanilla French Toast Casserole.
You make it up the night before, so no matter how late you sleep in, all you have to do is pop it in the oven.
I can guarantee that your family is going to love you on Christmas Morn!
Merry Christmas in heaven, Mom! We love you!
What are your plans for Christmas Morning breakfast this year?
Get the Recipe:
Pear Vanilla French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2-3 fresh pears, peeled and sliced, or 28 oz. canned pears, drained and sliced
- 4 cups French bread, cut into small pieces (better to not use the crust)
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- 10 eggs
- 2 cups milk or cream
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- powdered sugar and maple syrup
Instructions
- Melt the brown sugar and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow to boil and quickly reduce heat to simmer. Remove from heat and pour into a well-greased 9x13 pan, making sure it is spread evenly.
- Cut/cube the pears and arrange evenly on top of the brown sugar mixutre. Sprinkle the French bread pieces over the pears. Cube the second pear and place on top.
- Beat eggs, milk, vanilla together and pour evenly over the entire mixture. Press bread lightly into egg mixture to avoid dryness and to soak up all the eggs/milk. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, or until it becomes puffy and the eggs are no longer runny.
- Sprinkle nuts and dust with powdered sugar; serve!
More breakfast casserole ideas: Overnight Fireman’s Breakfast Casserole [Garnish with Lemon], Winter Breakfast Casserole Recipe [RE], Buttery Cheese Egg Casserole [Crazy for Crust], and Pear Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce [RE].
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
This looks amazing!!
I have an apple one that is similar but cannot wait to try this one!!
Merry Christmas Sandy!!
This looks amazing and the perfect special brunch recipe. I usually make my mom’s famous Frech Toast Casserole for the holidays. However, when I was pregnant I made it every chance I could didn’t matter if it was a holiday or not.
I love that you have this to share with your sisters every year to remember your mom. So special! Makes me wish I had sisters.
Have a wonderful holiday Sandy!
I love this post. You are blessed to have your sisters. I really would love to try this resipe for Christmas morning. Haven’t quite gotten my menu together, so I may have to include this!
Thanks for sharing!
Denise
Your mom left a lasting legacy! It is apparent she instilled all her wonderful values and traditions in YOU. I am touched by how much she is still a part of your lives….not always and easy thing to do in this hectic world. Wow, it makes me wish I had sisters! …..your best Christmas gift is each other!! I have printed out your recipe….you might make a cook out of me yet! Denise
Yum! We do a rich baked oatmeal recipe (prepared the night before) with cranberries and pecans. It is served with cream and maple syrup. It’s a good stick-to-your-ribs counterpoint to the stocking-candy-gorging which happens among the kids on Christmas morning. It also keeps everyone satisfied until the big Christmas standing rib roast comes out of the oven much later in the day.
Merry Christmas, Sandy!
My husband grew up eating Blueberry Buckle on Christmas morning so we now carry on that tradition with our family.
What a sweet post, Sandy. And the recipe looks yummy. I live in NC and was in NY (my motherland) last week for an early Christmas with family. I spent some time with my sister, which is a rare treat. We lost our mother 4 years ago. You post touched my heart. :)
We also had a Kris Kringle gift exchange and among my gifts was your wonderful book! signed!
My daughter, Jacqueline, was my Kris Kringle and I’m so grateful she got it for me. It’ll be one I return to time and again. Wishing you, your loved ones, and all your wonderful readers, a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Healthy and Blessed 2011!
I SOOOOOO planned to make a French Toast casserole and an egg casserole on Christmas morning for breakfast but my dear son said NO YOU CAN”T….. he was so looking forward to regular french toast and all the fixings with it… eggs and bacon and sausage and hashbrowns…. grrrr
We’ll be having our annual Strawberry Waffles and Peach waffles (for hubby)!
Love the recent pics I’ve seen of your beautiful family! Hugs! Merry Christmas!
Your breakfast puffs look too good to pass up, so found the recipe on line and am definitely going to make them sometime soon. Thank you for sharing and Merry Christmas.