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Panettone French Toast Casserole served in a white dish, topped with almonds and dusted with confectioners' sugar.

Panettone French Toast Casserole

This Panettone French Toast Casserole is an easy holiday breakfast that you can prepare overnight. Enjoy creamy custard-soaked panettone with cherry jam and cream cheese for a deliciously indulgent start to your day.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Resting Time 6 hours
Total Time 7 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Unsalted butter, for greasing the dish
  • 1 large panettone (about 2 pounds)
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry jam
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 3 1/2 cups half-and-half
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup blanched sliced almonds
  • Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Method
 

  1. Grease a 2 1/2- to 3-quart casserole dish generously with butter.
  2. Slice the panettone into 1-inch-thick pieces (around 5-6 slices). If needed, cut one slice in half for even layers.
  3. Spread cherry jam on half the slices and cream cheese on the other half, then press them together to form “sandwiches.”
  4. Cut the sandwiches into 1-inch squares and scatter them randomly into the prepared dish. They don’t need to look perfect!
  5. In a large bowl, whisk together half-and-half, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour this custard evenly over the panettone pieces.
  6. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  7. When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap, press down gently on the casserole, and sprinkle almonds on top.
  8. Bake for about 1 hour 10 minutes or until the custard is set and the top is golden. If browning happens too fast, cover lightly with foil.
  9. Let the casserole cool for 20 minutes before dusting with confectioners’ sugar and serving warm.

Notes

Prep it the night before for ultimate ease. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to three days. Reheat slices in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.