Magical Morning: Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe

Sweet weekend mornings call for a delightful strawberry French toast casserole that promises pure comfort.

This decadent breakfast bake blends classic French toast textures with bursts of fresh strawberries.

Every layer promises rich, custardy goodness that melts in your mouth.

Soft bread soaks up a creamy egg mixture while ripe strawberries add natural sweetness.

Crunchy edges contrast beautifully with the soft interior, creating a symphony of textures.

Weekend brunch champions will adore this simple yet impressive dish that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Serve this casserole hot and watch breakfast become the most celebrated meal of the day.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 388 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients That Make Strawberry French Toast Casserole Shine

• Bread Cubes: Soft, day-old bread ensures perfect custard absorption and rich texture.
• Strawberries: Fresh, ripe berries add vibrant sweetness and juicy bursts of flavor.

• Eggs: Provide creamy structure and rich protein base for the casserole.
• Milk: Creates smooth, tender consistency throughout the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and silky mouthfeel.
• Sugar: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, aromatic depth to the custard.
• Cinnamon: Brings warm, comforting spice notes that complement strawberries.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all flavor components.

• Flour: Creates crispy, textured layer on top of casserole.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep caramel-like sweetness and helps topping caramelize.
• Cinnamon: Reinforces warm spice undertones.
• Butter: Ensures crumbly, golden-brown topping with rich flavor.
• Sliced Almonds: Optional ingredient adding delightful crunch and nutty dimension.

Tools for Easy Strawberry French Toast Casserole Prep

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for layering bread and strawberries, perfect size for a family breakfast.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for whisking custard ingredients together smoothly.
• Whisk: Critical for blending eggs, milk, and other custard components without lumps.
• Small bowl: Used for preparing the crumble topping mixture.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: Helps combine butter into crumble topping for perfect texture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Plastic wrap or aluminum foil: Covers casserole during chilling and prevents moisture loss.

How to Bake a Strawberry French Toast Casserole the Right Way

• Prepare Baking Dish

Grab a buttery coating and spread it generously across a 9×13 inch baking pan. Create a delicious base layer by scattering bread cubes and fresh strawberry slices, repeating the process for maximum flavor.

• Create Creamy Custard

Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt into a silky smooth mixture. Gently pour this luscious liquid over the bread and strawberries, ensuring every morsel gets saturated with deliciousness.

• Chill and Soak

Cover the casserole and let it rest in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Thisal resting time allows bread to soak up all the incredible flavors.

• Craft Crunchy Topping

Mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Crumble in butter using your fingers until the mixture looks like sandy crumbs. Sprinkle in sliced almonds for extra crunch.

• Bake to Perfection

Heat the oven to 350F. Scatter the crumbly topping across the casserole. Slide into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the surface turns golden and the custard sets firmly.

• Serve and Enjoy

Let the casserole cool briefly. Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle maple syrup, and crown with fresh strawberry slices. Dive into this decadent breakfast treat that’ll make everyone smile.

Tips to Keep Your French Toast Casserole Juicy and Sweet

• Prepare the entire casserole the night before and refrigerate, allowing bread to soak up all the delicious custard for maximum flavor infusion.
• Use day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption and a more structured texture that holds up beautifully in the custard.
• Swap heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a lactose-free version that keeps the creamy consistency.
• Replace regular bread with gluten-free bread cubes and use a gluten-free flour blend for the crumble topping to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets.
• Experiment with mixed berries like blueberries or raspberries to create exciting flavor variations and add more colorful nutrition to the dish.

Serve Strawberry French Toast Casserole for Any Meal

• Berry Breakfast Bliss: Create a stunning brunch centerpiece that wows your guests with this decadent casserole.
• Sweet Morning Gathering: Perfect for family reunions or weekend get-togethers where everyone craves a memorable breakfast treat.
• Prep-Ahead Perfection: Make the entire dish the night before, then simply pop it in the oven for a stress-free morning meal that looks professionally crafted.
• Versatile Fruit Swap: Experiment with seasonal berries like blueberries or raspberries to keep the recipe exciting and fresh throughout the year.

How to Store Strawberry Casserole Like a Brunch Pro

• Store the casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Tightly wrap with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Prepare the entire casserole the night before baking, keeping it covered in the refrigerator. This allows bread to fully absorb the custard, intensifying flavors and creating a more cohesive texture.
• Wrap the unbaked casserole securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, adding 10-15 minutes to the original baking time.
• Cut individual servings and store separately. Warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in a preheated oven at 325F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Add a fresh sprinkle of powdered sugar after reheating for extra appeal.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but thaw and drain them completely before adding to the casserole to prevent excess moisture.

• How do I know if the custard is fully set?

Gently shake the baking dish – the center should be slightly jiggly but not liquid. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean.

• Is it necessary to soak the bread overnight?

While overnight soaking produces the best results, a minimum of 2 hours allows the bread to absorb the custard. The longer it sits, the more flavorful and custardy the dish becomes.

• Can I prepare this casserole in advance?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Just add the crumble topping right before putting it in the oven.

Heavenly Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

French toast casserole packed with ripe strawberries offers a delightful breakfast experience. Sweet layers of bread, creamy custard, and fresh berries make this morning treat irresistible for weekend gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups (475 milliliters / 16 fl oz) whole milk
• 1 loaf (14 oz / 400 g) brioche or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups (300 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• ½ cup (120 mL / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (70 g) brown sugar, packed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup (40 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup (75 g) sliced almonds (optional, for crunch)
• Fresh strawberries
• Maple syrup
• Powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Lavishly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray, creating a smooth foundation for the casserole.
2. Layering: Construct alternating strata of bread cubes and sliced strawberries, building a vibrant and textured base that ensures each bite delivers maximum flavor complexity.
3. Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt into a silky, uniform liquid that will infuse the bread with rich, decadent moisture.
4. Flavor Infusion: Pour the custard over the layered bread and strawberries, gently pressing to guarantee complete saturation and even distribution of the creamy mixture.
5. Marination: Refrigerate the casserole, covered, for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight to allow ingredients to meld and develop deep, harmonious flavors.
6. Crumble Assembly: Blend flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then incorporate cubed butter using fingertips until the mixture transforms into rustic crumbs. Integrate sliced almonds for an added textural dimension.
7. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F, positioning the rack centrally to ensure uniform heat circulation.
8. Topping Application: Sprinkle the crumble evenly across the casserole, creating a golden, crisp exterior that will contrast beautifully with the soft interior.
9. Baking Process: Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, monitoring for a rich golden color and set custard. If the top browns too rapidly, shield with foil to prevent burning.
10. Resting and Serving: Allow the casserole to settle for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven, then elevate the presentation by dusting with powdered sugar, drizzling maple syrup, and garnishing with fresh strawberries.

Notes

• Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old or slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for better absorption and texture, preventing a soggy result.
• Strategic Strawberry Placement: Slice strawberries uniformly and distribute evenly to ensure balanced flavor in every bite, preventing uneven fruit concentration.
• Overnight Soak Enhances Flavor: Refrigerating the casserole overnight allows bread to thoroughly absorb custard, creating a richer, more cohesive texture and deeper taste profile.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk for lactose-free version; use gluten-free bread for celiac-friendly adaptation; replace sugar with maple syrup or stevia for lower-sugar alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg