Description
Comforting berries & cream stuffed french toast casserole brings classic breakfast luxury to weekend family gatherings. Layered bread, tangy cream cheese, and sweet berries create a delightful morning meal everyone will savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf bread (16 oz / 454 g), sliced into 16 slices
- 7 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (240 ml)
- 1 cup half and half (240 ml)
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup blackberries (75 g)
- ½ cup blueberries (75 g)
- ½ cup raspberries (75 g)
- 1 ½ tbsps pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup + ½ tbsp granulated sugar (65 g)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- Powdered sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Generously grease a 13×9 rectangular pan, creating a non-stick surface for the layered toast creation.
- Base Layer: Construct the foundation by meticulously arranging the first set of bread slices in a uniform, edge-to-edge configuration across the pan’s bottom.
- Cream Cheese Transformation: Whip cream cheese using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, then fold in sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, homogeneous mixture.
- Layering Magic: Spread the cream cheese blend evenly across the bread base, ensuring complete and consistent coverage with a smooth spatula technique.
- Berry Infusion: Gently toss fresh berries with sugar, then artfully distribute them over the cream cheese layer, creating a vibrant and flavorful fruit stratum.
- Final Construction: Crown the berry layer with remaining bread slices, pressing gently to compact the delicate ingredients and create a cohesive structure.
- Liquid Alchemy: Whisk eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt, then gradually incorporate milk and half and half, creating a luxurious custard-like liquid.
- Moisture Absorption: Slowly cascade the egg mixture over the casserole, using a spoon to help bread thoroughly soak up the rich, aromatic liquid.
- Culinary Transformation: Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 50-60 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and firm, set texture.
- Finishing Touches: Rest the casserole for 10-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then dust with powdered sugar and serve warm, revealing the decadent layers within.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate to enhance flavor absorption and save morning preparation time.
- Bread Selection Matters: Use day-old, slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for better liquid absorption and richer texture.
- Prevent Soggy Bottom: Let excess liquid drip off bread slices before layering to maintain a perfect, crisp-edged casserole.
- Berry Flexibility: Swap fresh berries with frozen options, but thaw and drain excess moisture to prevent watery results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg