Description
This Berry French Toast Casserole is a delightful make-ahead breakfast dish featuring custardy French bread soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla egg mixture, topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup. Perfect for a crowd, it combines the comforting flavors of classic French toast with the convenience of a casserole.
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
For Serving
- 1-2 tbsp powdered sugar
- Maple syrup, as much as desired
Instructions
- Prepare the Casserole Dish: Grease a 9″x13″ casserole dish with vegetable oil or butter to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Add French Bread: Cube the French bread into roughly 1-inch pieces and fill the casserole dish up to about three-quarters full for a good bread-to-custard ratio.
- Make Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, 2% milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and brown sugar until well combined and smooth. This mixture will soak into the bread cubes, creating a rich custard base.
- Combine Bread and Custard: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the casserole dish, making sure all the bread is well coated and beginning to absorb the liquid.
- Add Berries: Slice the strawberries and then evenly distribute the sliced strawberries and whole blueberries over the top of the soaked bread mixture to add fresh fruity flavor and color.
- Refrigerate: Cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. This resting time allows the bread to fully absorb the custard for a creamy center.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure an even cook throughout the casserole.
- Bake the Casserole: Remove plastic wrap and place the casserole in the oven. Bake for 35 to 50 minutes. Start checking for doneness at 35 minutes—the casserole should be golden brown, puffed, and set in the center.
- Finish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle the top with powdered sugar and serve warm with a generous drizzle of maple syrup to taste.
Notes
- For best texture, use slightly stale French bread which absorbs the custard better than fresh bread.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon and vanilla extract according to your taste preference.
- Feel free to substitute or add other berries like raspberries or blackberries for variety.
- You can prepare this casserole the night before and refrigerate to save time in the morning.
- If needed, cover the edges with foil during baking to prevent over-browning.
- Serving with maple syrup adds sweetness, but you can also serve with whipped cream or yogurt for a lighter option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of casserole)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
