This month we’re sharing a cozy and crowd-pleasing brunch idea perfect for holiday mornings: our overnight French toast bake. Made with tangy sourdough, warm spices, and a crunchy maple-pecan streusel, this recipe is ideal for serving family or a larger brunch gathering. Prepare it the night before, pop it in the oven the next morning, and enjoy a comforting dish that’s effortless and delicious.
What is the Fit Foodie Cooking Club?
The Fit Foodie Cooking Club is a monthly cooking challenge designed to inspire home cooks to prepare real food from scratch. Each month the community makes the same recipe so members can share experiences, photos, and tips—creating a virtual potluck of ideas and inspiration.
We launched this club to bring our virtual community together around simple, homemade meals. Making the same recipe each month gives everyone a chance to connect, compare results, and celebrate home cooking.
Fit Foodie Cooking Club
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December 2021 – The Details
Please read the details below carefully to ensure your entry qualifies. If anything is unclear, leave a question in the comments of the recipe post.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
December 2021’s recipe of the month is our overnight French toast bake. This version features sturdy sourdough bread that soaks up a rich custard, a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg for warmth, and a buttery pecan streusel that bakes into a crisp, caramelized topping. It’s the kind of brunch dish that feels indulgent but is easy to prepare ahead, leaving you free to enjoy time with family or guests.
Ingredients You Need
Below are the ingredients used in this overnight French toast bake, including items for the streusel topping. Quantities and full instructions are available on the recipe post.
- sourdough bread (a sturdy loaf works best)
- pecans (for the streusel and garnish)
- eggs
- full-fat Greek yogurt
- maple syrup
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- milk (any kind)
- white whole wheat flour
- brown sugar
- butter
Recipe Tips
Use quality bread. The foundation of any great French toast bake is the bread. Choose a fresh, sturdy sourdough loaf that will absorb the custard without falling apart. Day-old bread or slightly thick slices work particularly well.
Mix and press well. Thoroughly combine the custard ingredients, then toss the bread pieces to ensure each piece soaks evenly. Press the mixture into the baking dish so the custard reaches every layer and bakes into a tender, custardy center.
Chill overnight. Refrigerating the assembled bake for several hours or overnight gives the custard time to infuse the bread, producing deeper flavor and a better texture—soft inside, crisp on top.
Mind the liquid ratio. Too much milk or too many eggs can leave the bake soggy. Follow the recipe proportions closely and adjust slightly depending on how thirsty your bread is.
Customize the toppings. Finish your bake with a generous drizzle of maple syrup, fresh fruit, a dollop of yogurt, or a smear of nut butter. Toasted nuts or a dusting of powdered sugar are also lovely additions.
How to Enter
- Visit the Overnight French Toast Bake recipe post.
- Make the recipe and take a photo of your finished bake.
- Leave a comment on the recipe post with your photo and a short note about how it went. A star rating is welcome but not required. Be sure to include your name and email in the comment form so we can contact the winners.
Important Dates
Monday, December 5, 2021 – the first day entries are accepted.
Tuesday, December 28, 2021 – the final day to submit your photo and comment.
Wednesday, December 29, 2021 – winners will be chosen at random and announced on this blog post and on social media.
The Prize
Two participants will each win a $100 Target gift card. Winners are selected randomly from qualifying comments submitted between December 5 and December 28, 2021. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 via this blog post and our social channels.
Charity of the Month
Each month we choose a charity to highlight and support. For December we are supporting People Serving People, a Minnesota-based organization that helps families experiencing homelessness. This nonprofit focuses on keeping families together and finding shelter during difficult times—work that is especially important during cold winter months.
To amplify our contribution, we will double the giveaway match and donate $400 in addition to the prizes awarded. We encourage anyone who can to consider supporting the charity directly.
DONATE
If you’d like to support our monthly charity, please consider donating what you can. Every contribution helps families in need find shelter and resources during a critical time.
If you prefer, you can donate directly to People Serving People through their official channels to make a personal impact this season.