About
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 9x13-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.
