It’s autumn at last! The leaves are bursting with color; the air is crisp; people are cozying up under blankets and sweaters. You know what that means: pumpkin! The Ultimate Fall Breakfast Casserole is all in on that delicious fall flavor with its creamy pumpkin filling, homemade pumpkin pie spice mix, sweet cinnamon-raisin bread base, and crunchy pecan top! All you need once it’s hot and ready is to add a little confectioner’s sugar and maple syrup, and you enter a world of appealing autumn fun for your tastebuds! The Ultimate Fall Breakfast Casserole is the end-all and be-all of breakfasts this season!
Ingredients
- 1 (1-pound) loaf cinnamon-raisin bread
- 1 (8-ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 cup canned pumpkin, about 8 ounces
- 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup fat-free milk
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- confectioners’ sugar, optional, to taste
- maple syrup, optional, warmed, to taste
Directions
Step 1 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2 –Cut each slice of the bread loaf into quarters.
Step 3 –Arrange 1/2 of the bread quarters in the prepared baking dish.
Step 4 –Add a layer of the cubed cream cheese to the baking dish.
Step 5 –Top with the remaining bread quarters, pressing down slightly.
Step 6 –In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, the evaporated milk, the pumpkin, the brown sugar, the fat-free-milk, the cinnamon, the nutmeg, the ginger, the cloves, and the salt.
Step 7 –Pour the egg mixture over the top of the casserole.
Step 8 –Cover and refrigerate the casserole for at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
Step 9 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 10 –Transfer the casserole from the fridge while the oven heats.
Step 11 –Bake, covered, for 40 minutes.
Step 12 –Uncover the casserole and sprinkle the top with the pecans.
Step 13 –Bake, uncovered, until lightly browned and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes.
Step 14 –Let the casserole stand until cooled slightly, about 5-10 minutes.
Step 15 –Dust with the confectioners’ sugar and serve with the maple syrup.