It’s a cozy evening, you’re craving something delicious, but you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
That’s when it hit me – why not have a breakfast-for-dinner meal?
It’s been ages since I last had one, and I can’t understand how I let it slip off my radar.
So, let me take you on a journey with my delightful Berry Baked French Toast Casserole – a recipe that’s perfect for satisfying your taste buds.
This recipe came to life on one of those evenings when I noticed an abundance of berries in my fridge leftovers from Memorial Day weekend.
It seemed like the perfect opportunity to experiment with my favorite baked French toast recipe, and the result was nothing short of pure decadence!
The result was pure decadence! I will definitely be making this on purpose again. The berries bake into a wonderful pie-like consistency, adding great summertime flavor to the whole dish.
Definitely a winner!
Tips
Plan Ahead
To get the best results, assemble the casserole the night before and let it sit in the fridge for at least 6 hours. This allows the bread to soak up all the delicious flavors and helps create that perfect texture.
Equipment
- 13×9 casserole dish
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Mixing bowl
Serving Suggestions
While this casserole makes an amazing dinner, it’s also a welcome and impressive addition to any breakfast or brunch spread. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup for an extra indulgence.
Substitutions
Feel free to mix and match your favorite berries or use frozen berries if fresh ones aren’t available. You can substitute the cream cheese with mascarpone for a richer, creamier taste.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought bread?
Absolutely! Day-old French or Italian bread works best for this recipe, absorbing the egg mixture better and maintaining its structure during baking. Bakery markdowns are a budget-friendly option that works great for this dish.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free bread instead of regular bread.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes. Allow it to cool completely, cut it into individual servings, and wrap each piece in plastic or foil. Store the wrapped pieces in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Can I use non-dairy milk?
Yes, you can use almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk as a substitute for the milk in this recipe. The casserole may have a slightly different flavor depending on the milk you choose, but it will still be delicious.
Berry Baked French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf day old French or Italian bread (bakery markdowns are perfect!)
- 4 cup fresh berries (I used a combination of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and sliced strawberries.)
- 6 eggs
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp almond extract, optional
- 3 oz cream cheese, cut into small chunks
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Cut bread into slightly bigger than bite-sized cubes.
- Place a layer of bread cubes into a greased 13×9 casserole dish. Top with 3 cups of the berries.
- Add remaining bread cubes to the casserole dish. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and extract(s). Evenly pour over all the bread cubes. Top with remaining berries and dot with the cream cheese cubes. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours.
- Remove casserole dish from the refrigerator while preheating the oven to 375 degrees. Also while preheating, melt butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and stir until melted and smooth, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in cinnamon. Drizzle over the entire top of the casserole.
- Cover dish with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 35-45, until golden brown and eggs are set. Let sit for 5 minutes before cutting.
Notes
This made an awesome dinner, but it would definitely be a welcome and impressive addition to any breakfast or brunch.Stop by Designs by Gollum for more Foodie Friday.