Caramel Pecan Breakfast Casserole
This Caramel Pecan Breakfast Casserole is the sweetest way to start your day. Donut bites are marinated in a creamy egg mixture, drizzled with homemade caramel, and baked until golden.
We can all agree that make-ahead breakfasts are life-saving during the holidays. What’s better than preparing a meal in advance and getting a fresh, hot breakfast first thing in the morning?
Say hello to one of the best make-ahead breakfasts of all time: Caramel Pecan Breakfast Casserole. This casserole is so easy to prepare, and the result is a decadent, sweet, delicious, and hearty breakfast that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect make-ahead option. All you have to do in the morning is pop the casserole in the oven, wait for it to bake, then dig in!
- Simple ingredients. Just five ingredients are needed for the casserole and six ingredients are required for the caramel.
- Sweet and indulgent. I mean…donuts and caramel sauce? It doesn’t get better than that.
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
- Donuts – You’ll need six plain donuts broken into bite-sized pieces.
- Eggs and Milk – The base for our batter.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds flavor depth and warmth.
- Salt – Cuts the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the casserole.
- Caramel Sauce – You can use store-bought caramel sauce if you prefer, but I love to whip up homemade caramel sauce.
How to Make Caramel Pecan Breakfast Casserole
This decadent breakfast casserole takes just 20 minutes to prep…including the homemade caramel! Here’s a quick summary of the recipe:
- Step One: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt.
- Step Two: Arrange donut pieces at the bottom of a greased baking dish, then cover with the egg mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Step Three: To make the caramel, heat brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt in a saucepan. Stir until the butter is melted and bubbling, then remove from the heat. Add ¼ cup heavy cream, stir to combine, and then add the remaining cream. Cool for a few minutes, then pour over the prepared donut mixture.
- Step Four: Bake the assembled casserole at 350ºF until hot and golden-brown.
What to Serve with It
You can serve this breakfast casserole alone or fill your meal with any of your favorite breakfast recipes!
Since this recipe is so sweet, I love to pair it with more savory breakfast options like biscuits and gravy, BBQ eggs, or bacon and potato quiche.
For a sweet option, try it with pecan butter tarts.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Plan ahead. The casserole needs plenty of time to sit in the fridge before baking for that perfectly soft texture. I recommend assembling it the night before serving so it can soak overnight in the fridge!
- Grease the pan. This helps prevent the donuts from sticking and burning on the bottom of the pan.
- Watch the caramel closely. It’s easy to overcook and burn the caramel or turn it into a hard candy. Keep a close eye on it!
- Customize. There are a few ways you can customize this breakfast casserole to suit your tastes. Try another donut flavor, swap the caramel for chocolate, use different nuts, you name it.
Storage Instructions
Leftover breakfast casserole will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. To reheat, simply place it in an oven-safe baking dish, cover with foil, and bake until heated through.
Can I Freeze?
You sure can! To freeze your casserole, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Thaw in the fridge or on the counter when you’re ready to serve, then reheat.
Sweet Breakfast Casseroles
- Apple Cinnamon Bun Breakfast Casserole
- Banana Bread Breakfast Casserole
- Eggnog Breakfast Casserole
- Apple Pie French Toast Casserole
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Caramel Pecan Breakfast Casserole
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Ingredients
- 6 plain donuts broken up into bite sized pieces
- 7 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
Caramel
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar
- ⅓ cup corn syrup
- 6 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup heavy cream divided
- ½ cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Arrange donut pieces to cover the bottom of the dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together eggs, milk, vanilla and salt. Pour evenly over donuts. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- To prepare the caramel, heat brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir till the butter is melted. Remove from heat once mixture starts to bubble all over.
- Add in ¼ cup heavy cream and stir to combine. Then add the last ¼ of heavy cream and stir to combine. Let cool a few minutes before pouring over your desired amount on the donut mixture. You can save extra for serving. Sprinkle pecans on top.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown. Serve hot.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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I am lucky my husband cooks weekend breakfasts 🙂
If I’m lucky, my hubby will be making everyone a big breakfast at home.
I am spending the weekend with my kids and hosting a Thanksgiving dinner here at my house
Most like crepes or pancakes for breakfast.
I have a ooey gooey caramel cinnamon roll that my kiddos beg for when special breakfasts are coming up. I think that’s what I’ll be making. 🙂
We’ll have pancakes for breakfast like we do every Sunday and/or Holiday! This casserole looks amazing though. If I ate that, I’d gain 10 pounds!
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
scrambled eggs and crepes
My plans for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning is a light quiche. I like to save room for turkey dinner! Breakfast the rest of the week is repurposed leftovers. We love leftovers, they are even better the next day!
We usually go out for breakfast, but this looks delicious!
pancakes and a big lumberjack breakfast
I haven’t planned it yet! Likely it will be croissants, bacon and eggs… that’s what my kids like. Although this recipe is tempting!
pancakes or waffles!
I plan to make a nice big breakfast on Sunday and Monday. Not exactly sure what it will involve but for sure french toast and some other sort of egg dish. I would LOVE to make this. it looks incredible!
Probably not going to be home so A & W will be cooking our breakfast. Oh well we will enjoy our visit for thanksgiving.
probably chocolate chip pancakes
It’s entirely possible that I’ll sleep through it. Saving room for dinner!
we’re having our annual pot luck family picnic in a local park for brunch Saturday and will make bacon & eggs for breakfast on Thanksgiving Monday.
To be honest haven’t thought that far ahead yet. Maybe French Toast!
I don’t even like pecans and I want to make this. And putting donuts in the bottom of the pan? Genius! Thanks for sharing!
No plans yet for thanksgiving weekend..probably omelettes..I do love them filled with cheese and hot peppers