Pear and Vanilla flavors are infused in this delicious overnight breakfast casserole. This is the perfect breakfast for holidays or for company.
I don’t usually post on Sundays, but it has been one of those weeks. We put our house up for sale this week, so we spent lots of time cleaning and decluttering and doing random repairs. And then I agreed to develop 5 recipes that are all due next week, so most of my kitchen time has been spent on those recipes. I went to make this recipe on Thursday, only to discover that it needed to be refrigerated overnight. (This is a classic reason why you should always read through the recipe beforehand!!) So, here I am, a few days late – but it’s worth it!!
I am a fan of overnight breakfast casseroles. Not only are they delicious, but you get to do all the work ahead of time, so in the morning, all you have to do is pop the casserole in the oven.
I’ve made a few variations of baked French toast before, but this one rates up at the top. I love that you start it with brown sugar and butter, making a caramel-ly base that the pears soak up. And I was really surprised at how much the vanilla flavor showed through. Pears aren’t my #1 favorite fruit, and while I liked them in this, I can imagine that I would absolutely love it with apples!
Serve this up with some maple syrup or a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and you’ve got an irresistible breakfast recipe. It’s perfect for holiday breakfasts or for when you have company.
More French Toast Recipes:
Baked French Toast Recipe with Apples and Raisins
Creme Brulee French Toast
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Ice Cream Soaked French Toast
Blueberry Banana French Toast Bake
Baked Pear Vanilla French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 fresh pears sliced
- 4 cups French bread cut into small pieces (better to not use the crust)
- 1/2 cup pecans finely chopped
- 9 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- powdered sugar or maple syrup
Instructions
- Melt the butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the water and continue heating until bubbly. Remove from heat and pour into a well-greased 9?x13? baking pan, making sure to spread it evenly. Arrange the pears on top of the brown sugar mixture. Sprinkle the bread evenly over the pears, then sprinkle with the chopped nuts. Beat the eggs, milk and vanilla together and pour evenly over the entire mixture.* Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes or until it becomes puffy and the eggs are no longer runny. Serve with powdered sugar or maple syrup.
- *I like to press the bread down with my hands or a spatula once I have poured the egg mixture on top to make sure the bread all gets soaked with the liquid.
Sheila says
This sounds so delicious! Do you think I could make it without the pecans? I need to make something for my son’s class and they have a no nut policy. Thanks!
Deborah says
@Sheila, definitely! I think it would still be great without nuts.
Bebe says
My whole family looks forward to pear bread pudding, which IS what you made, and also pear crisp (with an oatmeal crumb topping). I never thought pears were a favorite fruit of mine either… until I began letting them get good and ripe (really juicy and sweet) and cooking them into something luscious like this. Now I am in love!
One recommendation: use a little almond extract too. It totally enhances the flavor of pears and if you go light (like maybe 1/2 t.) it will not taste like almond, just super flavorful pears. I’d cut the vanilla in half though, if you decide to use almond.
Rosewood says
That looks great and I’m sure it is delicious but French Toast? That it is not.
What you just made is a delicious bread pudding.
natalie (the sweets life) says
wow! I need to host a brunch so I can make this! YUM
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I imagine this would be incredible with all kinds of fruit! Sounds great. Good luck with selling your house 🙂
Martyna (Wholesome Cook) says
This looks totally irresistible. I’m going through a massive pear phase at the moment… yum!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Wow, Deborah! This french toast looks incredibly decadent and delicious, and your photos are just amazing. I love that there’s fresh pear in it, too. Great job on this and thanks for sharing! 🙂
Kelly Perry says
looks great and i agree about apples! thanks and good luck w/the house!
sweetsugarbean says
Caramel and pears? I NEED to try this!!!
jennifurla says
dang, 8.5 score…I might have to give this a shot over the weekend.
Karla says
I don’t even like French Toast that much and your pictures have me going out to buy the ingredients! My boyfriend says thank you 😉
Joanne says
Whoa you ARE busy! Good luck with all of the recipe-testing and house-decluttering. If you’re starting your days with this casserole, then I’m sure they’ll be productive!
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says
it looks amazing!! and the photography is just beautiful, deborah!
Julie says
This French toast looks so good! I wish it had already been waiting overnight for me in my refrigerator.
Tasha says
I am a big fan of the overnight breakfast casserole too- especially for family holiday brunches. I’ll have to try this one. It sounds delicious!
Katrina says
French toast is my favorite food! Great recipe 🙂