Description
A luscious Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole perfect for a delightful breakfast or brunch. This recipe features cubed French bread layered with cream cheese and fresh blueberries, soaked in a rich custard of eggs, milk, and cream, then baked to a golden perfection. Served with powdered sugar and maple syrup, it’s an indulgent yet easy-to-make dish that can be prepared ahead for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 loaf French bread (about 14 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
Custard Mixture
- 8 large eggs
- 2½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- â…“ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Powdered sugar, for serving
- Extra maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Layer the bread and fillings: Place half of the bread cubes evenly in the bottom of the dish. Scatter the cream cheese cubes and blueberries evenly over this layer. Then, top with the remaining bread cubes to form the base of the casserole.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine custard with bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread, cream cheese, and blueberries. Gently press down on the bread cubes to help them absorb the custard well.
- Chill the casserole: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to soak fully.
- Preheat the oven: Remove the casserole from the fridge and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Add melted butter and bake: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to set further. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with extra maple syrup if desired for added sweetness.
Notes
- You can swap in brioche or challah bread for a richer, more tender texture.
- If using frozen blueberries, avoid thawing them first to prevent the color from bleeding into the casserole.
- Leftover casserole reheats nicely in the microwave or oven—just warm until heated through.
- For a dairy-free twist, substitute milk and cream with plant-based alternatives and use vegan cream cheese.
