Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe
This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake is a decadent and easy-to-make breakfast casserole combining soft French bread, tangy cream cheese, and fresh blueberries, all soaked in a sweet maple-vanilla egg mixture and baked to golden perfection. Ideal for brunch or a special morning treat, it offers a delightful balance of creamy, fruity, and custardy flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
French Toast Base
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into cubes
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
Custard Mixture
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Layer the bread and cream cheese: Place half of the cubed French bread evenly into the prepared dish. Dot the bread with small spoonfuls of softened cream cheese, distributing it evenly. Sprinkle half of the fresh blueberries over the cream cheese and bread layer.
- Add remaining bread and blueberries: Top the first layer with the remaining bread cubes and then sprinkle the remaining blueberries evenly over the top.
- Mix the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Pour custard over the layers: Evenly pour the egg mixture over the bread, cream cheese, and blueberry layers in the baking dish to soak everything well.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the bake is puffed up, set in the middle, and golden brown on top.
- Cool and serve: Allow the French toast bake to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving to let it set and enhance flavors.
Notes
- Use slightly stale French bread for best texture, as it absorbs the custard better without becoming mushy.
- For a vegan version, substitute cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative and eggs/milk with plant-based options.
- Feel free to add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard mixture for extra warmth and flavor.
- This dish can be prepared the night before; cover and refrigerate, then bake in the morning adding a few extra minutes to baking time if chilled.
- Serve with extra maple syrup, fresh fruit, or a dusting of powdered sugar if desired.