Sweet Berry Delight: A Jazzy French Toast Casserole Recipe

Wake up to a delightful morning with this heavenly berry bliss French toast casserole that promises pure breakfast magic.

Layers of soft bread mingle with bursts of juicy berries, creating a symphony of sweet and comforting flavors.

Each bite promises a decadent experience that melts in your mouth and warms your soul.

The recipe combines simple ingredients with minimal effort, making it perfect for lazy weekend mornings or special gatherings.

Berries add a vibrant pop of color and natural sweetness that turns an ordinary breakfast into an extraordinary feast.

Weekends become instantly more delicious with this irresistible morning treat that everyone will adore.

Let’s find out this delectable casserole and let your taste buds dance with joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients in Berry Bliss French Toast Casserole

• Bread Loaf: Sturdy white or challah bread provides the perfect foundation, ensuring a soft yet structured casserole texture.
• Milk, Half-and-Half: Creamy dairy blend creates a luxurious custard that soaks into the bread, delivering rich moisture.

• Eggs: Binding agent that transforms bread into a silky, custardy texture with exceptional richness.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds depth and aromatic warmth to the entire dish.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness and provides a complex, sophisticated flavor profile.
• Salt: Tiny pinch balances and amplifies all other ingredients' natural flavors.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, tangy base that creates a luscious cheesecake-like layer with incredible creaminess.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling and balances the berries' natural tartness.
• Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries: Fresh, vibrant fruits that burst with juicy flavor and add natural sweetness.
• Powdered Sugar: Delicate finishing touch that adds a beautiful visual and sweet dusting.

Equipment to Build a Blissful French Toast Bake

• Large mixing bowl: For whisking eggs and combining custard ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for blending eggs, milk, and spices smoothly.
• 13×9-inch baking pan: Perfect size for layering bread and creating the casserole.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate for measuring milk, cream cheese, and sugar.
• Sharp knife: Helps slice bread evenly and prepare ingredients.
• Spatula: Great for spreading cream cheese mixture and pressing down bread layers.
• Cooling rack: Allows casserole to rest and set after baking.
• Powdered sugar sifter: Helps dust top of casserole with a light, even coating.

How to Make Berry Bliss French Toast Casserole Easily

• Morning Comfort Layers

Soft bread slices create a cozy foundation for this delightful breakfast treat, nestled carefully in a baking dish to form a delectable base.

• Creamy Dreamy Spread

A luscious cream cheese mixture blankets the bread, adding rich, velvety texture and depth of flavor that promises pure indulgence.

• Berry Burst Moment

Fresh, vibrant berries dance across the cream cheese, scattering sweet and tangy notes throughout the casserole.

• Custard Magic

A silky blend of eggs, warm cinnamon, fragrant vanilla, and smooth dairy transforms the layers into a puffy, cloud-like masterpiece.

• Golden Transformation

The casserole bakes to a gorgeous golden hue, emerging from the oven with a soft, pillowy center and crisp edges, then finished with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of sweet elegance.

Tips to Layer and Flavor Your Berry French Toast

• Swap fresh berries with frozen varieties or try a tropical twist by adding diced mangoes or chopped pineapple for a vibrant flavor profile.
• Experiment with different bread types like brioche, challah, or cinnamon raisin bread to create unique textures and enhance the overall taste experience.
• Prepare the entire casserole the night before, cover with foil, and refrigerate. In the morning, simply pop it in the oven for a stress-free breakfast that tastes like a gourmet restaurant creation.
• Elevate the dish with additional garnishes like toasted nuts, a drizzle of maple syrup, fresh whipped cream, or a sprinkle of chocolate chips to add extra indulgence and personal flair.
• For gluten-free options, use gluten-free bread or replace bread with cubed gluten-free pancakes. Lactose-intolerant? Substitute dairy products with almond or coconut milk alternatives for a delicious adaptation.

Serving Berry Bliss Casserole for Breakfast or Brunch

• Brunch Centerpiece Magic: Showcase this French toast casserole as the star of your weekend brunch, garnishing with fresh mint leaves and extra berries for a stunning presentation that will wow your guests.
• Elegant Morning Companion: Pair the casserole with a light mimosa or freshly brewed coffee, creating a luxurious breakfast experience that feels like a gourmet restaurant right at home.
• Sweet Side Harmony: Serve alongside crispy bacon or a small fruit salad to balance the creamy, sweet flavors and add some savory contrast to the dish, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
• Dessert Transformation Trick: Reheat leftover slices and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert that repurposes your breakfast favorite into a delightful after-dinner treat.

Storing Berry French Toast Casserole the Smart Way

• Morning Meal Magic: Prepare this casserole the night before by assembling all layers and refrigerating overnight, allowing flavors to meld beautifully for a stress-free breakfast.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Wrap the baked casserole tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing it in the freezer for up to 3 weeks – perfect for quick weekend breakfasts or unexpected guests.
• Portion Perfection: Cut into individual servings and store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making quick reheating a breeze for busy mornings.
• Freshness First: Always reheat refrigerated or frozen portions in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes to maintain the crispy edges and warm, creamy texture of the French toast casserole.

Irresistible Berry Bliss French Toast Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering French toast casserole fills kitchens with sweet, comforting aromas from mixed berries and rich custard. Served warm with maple syrup, this classic breakfast dish invites guests to savor each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 16 oz (454 g) loaf bread, sliced into 16 pieces
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• 7 large eggs
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• 1 cup (240 ml) half-and-half
• ½ cup (75 g) blackberries
• ½ cup (75 g) blueberries
• ½ cup (75 g) raspberries
• ¼ cup + ½ tablespoon (55 g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ tablespoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Generously butter a 13 × 9-inch baking dish, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking and promote easy removal.
2. Layer Foundation: Create the first bread layer across the dish bottom, positioning slices to form a uniform base that will absorb the custard mixture efficiently.
3. Cream Cheese Infusion: Spread a velvety cream cheese mixture evenly over bread slices, creating a rich, tangy foundation that will elevate the casserole’s flavor profile.
4. Berry Integration: Toss fresh berries with sugar to release their natural essence, then distribute strategically across the cream cheese layer for vibrant bursts of fruity sweetness.
5. Secondary Layer: Position the remaining bread slices atop the berry mixture, constructing a delectable multi-layered structure.
6. Custard Preparation: Whisk eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, milk, and half-and-half in a large bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly aerated, ensuring complete ingredient incorporation.
7. Liquid Absorption: Gently pour the custard over the layered bread, allowing each slice to soak thoroughly and create a luxurious, pudding-like consistency.
8. Baking Process: Slide the casserole into a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven, baking for 50-60 minutes until the center sets and the surface achieves a golden-brown caramelization.
9. Finishing Touch: After removing from the oven, let the casserole rest for 10-15 minutes to stabilize its structure, then dust generously with powdered sugar for a delicate, sweet presentation.

Notes

• Prevent Bread Sogginess: Use slightly stale or day-old bread to help absorb the egg mixture without becoming mushy, ensuring a perfect texture.
• Cream Cheese Technique: Soften cream cheese at room temperature for easier spreading and smoother distribution across bread layers.
• Berry Distribution Tip: Pat berries dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making the casserole watery during baking.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and saving morning preparation time.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg