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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Lavishly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray, creating a smooth foundation for the casserole.
- Layering: Construct alternating strata of bread cubes and sliced strawberries, building a vibrant and textured base that ensures each bite delivers maximum flavor complexity.
- 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.
- Flavor Infusion: Pour the custard over the layered bread and strawberries, gently pressing to guarantee complete saturation and even distribution of the creamy mixture.
- Marination: Refrigerate the casserole, covered, for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight to allow ingredients to meld and develop deep, harmonious flavors.
- 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.
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F, positioning the rack centrally to ensure uniform heat circulation.
- Topping Application: Sprinkle the crumble evenly across the casserole, creating a golden, crisp exterior that will contrast beautifully with the soft interior.
- 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.
- 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