Description
Comfort breakfast Raspberry Cheesecake French Toast Casserole blends creamy cheesecake layers with sweet raspberry notes. Delightful weekend brunch perfection awaits when you indulge in this rich, satisfying morning treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 cups cubed French bread (about 1 large loaf)
- 10 eggs
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups raspberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 ⅔ cups (397 ml) milk
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar
- ⅓ cup (66 g) sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Dish Preparation: Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent adhesion.
- Bread Layering: Cube French bread into rustic 1½-inch pieces, creating a foundational layer covering two-thirds of the dish. Distribute cream cheese mixture in uneven dollops across the bread, ensuring varied texture and flavor distribution.
- Raspberry Incorporation: Sprinkle fresh raspberries over the cream cheese-covered bread cubes, then complete the layering with remaining bread cubes.
- Custard Creation: Whisk eggs until light and frothy, blending milk, sugar, and vanilla extract into a harmonious liquid base. Gently pour custard over the stratified bread, pressing downward to maximize liquid absorption.
- Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate the assembled casserole overnight, allowing ingredients to meld and bread to fully soak.
- Thermal Transformation: Preheat oven to 350°F with rack positioned centrally. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F and surface achieves a golden-brown complexion.
- Finishing Touches: Remove from oven and let rest briefly. Optionally dust with powdered sugar and serve alongside maple syrup for an indulgent presentation.
Notes
- Overnight Soak Matters: Letting the casserole rest in the refrigerator overnight allows bread to absorb custard completely, creating a decadent texture and deeper flavor profile.
- Temperature Check Essential: Use a food thermometer to ensure the casserole reaches 160°F, guaranteeing safe egg cooking and perfect doneness.
- Bread Selection Impacts Texture: Choose day-old French bread for better absorption and a more structured consistency that prevents soggy results.
- Cream Cheese Distribution Technique: Dollop cream cheese mixture unevenly for surprising pockets of creamy richness throughout each serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 7.5 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg