Description
Delightful summer berry stuffed french toast casserole bake marries classic breakfast comfort with fresh seasonal berries. Rich cream cheese and sweet berry layers create a crowd-pleasing breakfast perfect for weekend gatherings you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
Dairy and Flavor Enhancers:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup sugar (divided into 1/2 cup and 1/2 cup)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Serving Garnishes:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the cream cheese filling by blending softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until velvety and uniform.
- Create a luxurious custard base by whisking eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a separate mixing vessel.
- Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter to prevent sticking.
- Arrange half of the bread cubes as the foundational layer in the prepared dish.
- Strategically distribute cream cheese mixture in dollops across the bread cubes, ensuring even coverage.
- Scatter a generous portion of mixed berries over the cream cheese layer, creating a vibrant fruit landscape.
- Add the remaining bread cubes as a second architectural layer.
- Carefully pour the egg custard mixture, allowing it to seep between the bread cubes and create a cohesive texture.
- Garnish the top with the remaining mixed berries, creating a colorful berry mosaic.
- Refrigerate the assembled casserole for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and bread to absorb the custard.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and initially bake the casserole covered with foil for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top turns golden and the center sets completely.
- Allow the casserole to cool briefly, then enhance with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar and a graceful maple syrup drizzle before serving.
Notes
- Prep ahead by assembling the casserole the night before for deeper flavor infusion and easier morning cooking.
- Select day-old bread like brioche or challah for better absorption and richer texture compared to fresh bread.
- Customize berry mix by using seasonal fruits or frozen berries when fresh aren’t available to maintain recipe flexibility.
- Reduce sugar content by substituting with monk fruit sweetener or using half the recommended amount for a lighter breakfast option.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg