This Blueberry & Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is a delightful, make-ahead breakfast dish perfect for brunch, holidays, or a special weekend treat. It features soft, custardy bread soaked in a rich egg mixture, complemented by bursts of juicy blueberries and pockets of creamy, tangy cream cheese. Finished with a golden-brown crust, this casserole is a crowd-pleaser that is both easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Make-ahead convenience – Perfect for preparing the night before and baking fresh in the morning.
- Rich, creamy, and fruity – A perfect balance of textures and flavors.
- Great for gatherings – Feeds a crowd with minimal effort.
- Customizable – Swap in different berries or add nuts for extra crunch.
- Freezer-friendly – Stores well for future breakfasts or desserts.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Bread (such as brioche or French bread)
- Cream cheese
- Fresh blueberries
- Eggs
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla extract
- Maple syrup or sugar
- Cinnamon
- Butter
Directions
- Prepare the bread: Cut the bread into cubes and spread half in a greased baking dish.
- Add the fillings: Scatter chunks of cream cheese and fresh blueberries over the bread. Top with the remaining bread cubes.
- Make the custard: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, maple syrup (or sugar), and cinnamon.
- Soak the bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, ensuring all pieces are coated.
- Chill (if making ahead): Cover and refrigerate overnight for best results, or let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and set in the center.
- Serve: Let it cool slightly before serving with powdered sugar, syrup, or fresh fruit.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6-8
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time (Optional): Overnight
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour (plus chilling, if applicable)
Variations
- Berry mix-up: Substitute or mix in raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries.
- Nutty addition: Add chopped pecans or almonds for extra crunch.
- Chocolate twist: Sprinkle chocolate chips for a sweeter version.
- Lemon zest: Add a hint of lemon zest to brighten the flavors.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-free alternative.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or reheat the entire dish in the oven at 300°F until heated through.
FAQs
How far in advance can I make this casserole?
You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it until ready to bake.
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes! No need to thaw them; just add them straight to the casserole.
What type of bread works best?
Brioche, challah, or French bread work best as they soak up the custard while remaining fluffy.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Use dairy-free milk and cream cheese alternatives to make it dairy-free.
Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes, reduce the sugar or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
How do I prevent the casserole from being soggy?
Let the bread absorb the custard mixture before baking and avoid over-soaking.
Can I bake this immediately instead of overnight?
Yes, just let it sit for at least 30 minutes before baking to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
What toppings go well with this casserole?
Powdered sugar, syrup, whipped cream, or a drizzle of honey work well.
Can I make a smaller batch?
Yes, halve the recipe and bake in a smaller dish. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! It reheats well and can be frozen for later use.
Conclusion
This Blueberry & Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is a deliciously indulgent breakfast or brunch dish that is easy to make, great for meal prep, and sure to impress. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself, this casserole is a foolproof way to start the day on a sweet note.
Print
Blueberry & Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (+ chilling if needed)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Blueberry & Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is a delicious make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish that’s perfect for weekends, holidays, or special occasions. Made with soft bread, juicy blueberries, and a creamy sweet cheese filling, this baked casserole is rich, flavorful, and easy to prepare. Serve it with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for the perfect morning treat!
Ingredients
- For the Casserole:
- 1 loaf of brioche or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 10 cups)
- 8 oz cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- For Serving (Optional):
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Extra blueberries
Instructions
- Prepare the Casserole:
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the dish.
- Scatter the cream cheese cubes and half of the blueberries over the bread.
- Top with the remaining bread cubes and blueberries.
- Make the Custard:
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the custard evenly over the bread mixture, pressing down slightly so the bread soaks up the liquid.
- Chill (Optional but Recommended):
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.
- Prepare the Topping:
- In a small bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Cut in the cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until it forms a crumbly mixture.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole.
- Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, until golden brown and set in the center.
- Serve:
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Drizzle with maple syrup, dust with powdered sugar, and garnish with extra blueberries if desired.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the night before and refrigerate overnight. Add the topping just before baking.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F or microwave.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked (without the topping) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping, and bake.
- Bread Choice: Brioche, challah, or French bread works best. Avoid overly soft bread.
- Recipe Details
Nutrition
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
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