Description
This Berry French Toast Casserole is a delightful and easy-to-make breakfast dish featuring layers of cubed French bread soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla egg mixture, topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries, then baked to golden perfection. Ideal for family gatherings or a weekend brunch, it’s sweet, comforting, and served with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup for added indulgence.
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 desired
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 casserole dish about three-quarters full.
- Mix the Custard: 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 pieces are moistened and well-coated.
- Add the Berries: Slice the strawberries and scatter them along with the blueberries over the top of the soaked bread mixture.
- Refrigerate to Soak: Cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight, to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and bake the casserole for 35 to 50 minutes. Check doneness at 35 minutes by inserting a knife in the center—it should come out clean when fully cooked.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle the casserole with 1 to 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Serve warm with maple syrup on the side for drizzling and enjoy a delicious, fruity breakfast treat.
Notes
- For best results, use slightly stale French bread as it absorbs the custard better than fresh bread.
- You can prepare the casserole the night before and refrigerate it overnight for convenience.
- Adjust the baking time if using a glass or metal casserole dish, as heat distribution may vary.
- Feel free to substitute or add other berries like raspberries or blackberries according to preference.
- To make it dairy-free, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and butter with a plant-based alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/12th of casserole)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
