Description
This Berry French Toast Casserole is a delightful make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish featuring layers of cubed French bread soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla egg custard, topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries, baked to golden perfection, and served with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 12-14 cups French bread, cut into cubes
Custard Mixture
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
Toppings
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1-2 tbsp powdered sugar
- Maple syrup, as much as you want
Instructions
- Prepare the casserole dish: Grease a 9″x13″ casserole dish with vegetable oil or butter to prevent sticking. Cut the French bread into cubes and fill the dish about three-quarters full.
- Make the custard mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, 2% milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and brown sugar until well combined and smooth.
- Combine bread and custard: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the cubed French bread in the casserole dish, ensuring all bread cubes are soaked.
- Add fresh berries: Slice the strawberries and sprinkle them over the soaked bread mixture. Add the blueberries evenly on top for a colorful and flavorful finish.
- Refrigerate: Cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours or up to overnight. This lets the bread fully absorb the custard.
- Preheat oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the casserole: Remove the plastic wrap and bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 35 to 50 minutes. Start checking at 35 minutes by inserting a toothpick or knife in the center; it should come out clean when done.
- Finish and serve: Once baked, sprinkle the casserole with powdered sugar. Serve warm with maple syrup drizzled on top for added sweetness and moisture. Enjoy your comforting berry French toast bake!
Notes
- You can prepare this casserole the night before and refrigerate it overnight for more flavorful infusion.
- For a richer custard, you can substitute whole milk or add a bit of heavy cream.
- Use day-old French bread for best texture as it soaks up custard better without becoming mushy.
- Feel free to swap the berries for other fruits like raspberries, blackberries, or peaches depending on seasonality.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute the French bread with gluten-free bread cubes.
- Keep an eye on the casserole toward the end of baking to avoid overcooking and drying out.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/12 of casserole)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
