Description
Indulgent berries & cream stuffed French toast casserole brings classic breakfast comfort to new heights. Layers of rich bread, creamy cheese, and juicy berries combine for a luxurious morning treat you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf bread (16 ounces / 454 grams), sliced into 16 slices
- 7 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (240 milliliters)
- 1 cup half and half (240 milliliters)
Berries:
- ½ cup blackberries (75 grams)
- ½ cup blueberries (75 grams)
- ½ cup raspberries (75 grams)
Seasonings and Additional Components:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ tablespoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup + ½ tablespoon granulated sugar (65 grams)
- Powdered sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 13×9 rectangular pan with grease, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Create the first bread foundation by carefully arranging 8 bread slices in a uniform single layer across the pan’s bottom.
- Craft the cream cheese filling by whipping softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it becomes airy and voluminous, approximately 3 minutes.
- Enhance the cream cheese mixture by incorporating sugar, egg, and vanilla extract, blending until the texture becomes silky and uniform.
- Distribute the cream cheese mixture evenly across the bread layer, using a spatula to achieve smooth, consistent coverage.
- Gently toss fresh berries with remaining sugar, creating a lightly sweetened fruit layer.
- Scatter the sugared berries atop the cream cheese filling, ensuring balanced distribution.
- Complete the layering process by placing the remaining 8 bread slices over the berry layer, applying gentle pressure to compact the ingredients.
- Prepare the liquid mixture by whisking eggs, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until thoroughly combined.
- Gradually introduce milk and half and half into the egg mixture, stirring gently to create a smooth, homogeneous liquid.
- Pour the egg mixture slowly and evenly over the casserole, using the back of a spoon to help bread absorb the liquid completely.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 50-60 minutes, monitoring until the casserole sets and develops a golden-brown surface.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 10-20 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and texture to stabilize.
- Finish by dusting with powdered sugar and serving warm, revealing the luscious layers within.
Notes
- Make ahead magic saves precious morning time by preparing this casserole the night before and refrigerating overnight.
- Softening cream cheese completely ensures a smooth, lump-free filling that spreads beautifully across bread layers.
- Choose sturdy bread like brioche or challah to prevent soggy texture and maintain delightful structure during baking.
- Room temperature eggs blend more evenly into the milk mixture, creating a silky custard that soaks perfectly into bread.
- Fresh or frozen berries work wonderfully, allowing seasonal flexibility and year-round breakfast excitement.
- Covering the casserole with foil during the first 30 minutes prevents excessive browning while ensuring even cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg