Blueberry French Toast Casserole
Blueberry French Toast Casserole is an easy make-ahead breakfast to feed a crowd! This indulgent dish is made with soft challah bread and cream cheese.
It’s not every day you get to enjoy a heaping plate of French toast. So why not make it the most indulgent, incredible French toast ever created? This Blueberry French Toast Casserole recipe is going to be your new go-to. Whether you have family in town for the holidays or you’re just looking to indulge for Sunday brunch, you have come to the right place.
The key ingredients to Blueberry French Toast Casserole
In my opinion, the perfect French toast is soft and flavorful but not too sweet. It’s eggy and light but still has integrity. That’s why, I recommend using Challah bread for this recipe. Challah bread is a sweet, eggy bread that is often braided. You probably associate this special bread with Jewish holidays. If you can’t find Challah or would prefer to use something else, try brioche.
The special ingredient in this French Toast Casserole is cream cheese. Hot take: cream cheese literally makes anything and everything better. It adds a tangy, creamy element to this dish and balances out the sweetness of the blueberries and maple syrup.
Make-ahead breakfast to feed a crowd
What makes this recipe so perfect for holidays or for special occasions is that it can be prepared the night before and chilled in the refrigerator until morning. Just cover it with plastic wrap and let the bread go to work. The longer this casserole sits, the longer the bread has to soak up that yummy, creamy egg mixture.
Plus, the perk of making this dish ahead is that you have more time to spend with family or to enjoy your morning cup of coffee. You know what they say – no talkie before coffee. 😉
Try this Blueberry French Toast Casserole and let me know what you think in the comment section below. If you share your creation on Instagram, tag me @bluecheesebungalow.
Looking for other easy brunch ideas? Check out these Make-ahead Veggie Egg Muffins.
Happy Holidays!
Kelsey Renee
Blueberry French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf challah bread (about 16 ounces)
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- 8 ounce block cream cheese (very cold)
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 2 cups milk
- 8 large eggs
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- 1. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- 2. Using a bread knife, cut loaf of bread into 1.5 inch cubes.
- 3. Using a sharp knife, cut block of cream cheese into .5 inch cubes. Cream cheese needs to be very cold so it doesn’t create a sticky mess.
- 4. Layer half of the bread cubes in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle on half of the blueberries, half of the cream cheese cubes and half of the pecans.
- 5. Repeat step 4 with remaining bread cubes, blueberries, cream cheese and pecans.
- 6. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and cinnamon. Pour mixture evenly over contents in baking dish.
- 7. Cover casserole dish with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours. This time will allow the bread to soak up the milk and egg mixture.
- 8. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- 9. Remove plastic wrap from casserole dish and bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes (it takes my oven about 38 minutes).
- 10. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar.
- 11. Serve with maple syrup and enjoy!
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