Dreamy Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe for Brunch Bliss

Lazy weekend mornings call for a delightful berry French toast casserole that turns ordinary breakfast into a celebration of flavors.

Soft, pillowy bread soaks up a creamy custard mixture, creating a mouthwatering dish packed with sweet berries.

Layers of fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries nestled between buttery bread slices promise a decadent morning treat.

The aroma of cinnamon and vanilla wafts through the kitchen, tempting everyone to the breakfast table.

Baked until golden and puffy, this casserole delivers a perfect balance of crisp edges and tender center.

Topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup, this breakfast masterpiece will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to impress and indulge in a breakfast that feels like pure comfort.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 8

Berry French Toast Casserole Shopping List

• Bread Cubes: Sturdy bread provides the foundation, absorbing the creamy custard and creating a delightful texture; day-old brioche or challah works best for maximum flavor absorption.
• Mixed Berries: Bursting with natural sweetness and vibrant color, these berries add a fresh, juicy element to the casserole; choose ripe, seasonal berries for maximum flavor.

• Eggs: Binding agent that creates rich, smooth texture and provides protein structure.
• Milk, Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious creaminess and helps bread absorb liquid perfectly; whole milk ensures a more decadent result.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens the dish and caramelizes during baking for deeper flavor complexity.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth and enhances overall sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Brings warm, comforting spice that complements berry and bread flavors.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other ingredients' flavors.

• Flour: Creates crumbly texture and helps topping bind together.
• Brown Sugar: Provides caramel-like sweetness and helps topping brown beautifully.
• Cinnamon: Reinforces warm spice notes throughout the dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps topping become crispy and golden.
• Sliced Almonds, Pecans: Optional crunchy element that introduces nutty complexity to the topping.

Prep Tools for Berry French Toast Casserole

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for layering bread and berries, perfect size for this casserole.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for whisking custard ingredients thoroughly.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending eggs, milk, and other custard components smoothly.
• Small bowl: Used for preparing the crumbly topping mixture.
• Pastry cutter or fingers: Helps mix flour, sugar, and butter into a crumbly texture.
• Plastic wrap: Covers the casserole during refrigeration to prevent drying.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

How to Bake Berry French Toast Casserole Perfectly

• Create Berry Base

Grab a baking dish and gently coat it with cooking spray. Layer bread cubes and scattered berries in delicious alternating sections, making sure each piece gets some fruity goodness.

• Whip Up Creamy Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, crack eggs and blend with milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir until everything combines into a smooth, silky liquid.

• Soak and Chill

Pour the creamy mixture over bread and berries, gently pressing down so every bread cube gets saturated. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to let flavors mingle and deepen.

• Craft Crunchy Topping

Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter with your fingers until it becomes a crumbly, delightful mixture. Sprinkle in chopped nuts for extra crunch and texture.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Heat oven to 350F. Uncover the casserole and sprinkle the nutty topping evenly. Bake until the surface turns golden and the center sets, around 40-50 minutes.

• Serve and Enjoy

Let the casserole rest briefly, then dust with powdered sugar. Drizzle maple syrup and garnish with fresh berries for a stunning breakfast centerpiece.

Make Berry French Toast Casserole Your Own

• Berry Toast Treasure Tricks
• Prepare this casserole the night before for stress-free morning entertaining. The longer it soaks, the more flavor and creaminess the bread absorbs.
• Mix different berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a vibrant color palette and complex flavor profile. Fresh or frozen berries work wonderfully.
• Swap regular bread with gluten-free bread cubes to accommodate dietary restrictions. Choose a sturdy variety that holds its shape during soaking.
• Add a layer of cream cheese between bread layers or sprinkle chopped nuts for extra protein and texture. Sliced almonds or chopped pecans work perfectly.
• Replace heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a delicious dairy-free version. Use dairy-free butter alternative in the crumble topping for a complete plant-based transformation.

Present Berry French Toast Casserole Beautifully

• Brunch Brilliance: Serve this French toast casserole as the star of a weekend brunch gathering with friends and family, creating a delightful centerpiece that everyone will love.
• Dessert Transformation: Elevate the dish into a decadent dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, turning it into an irresistible sweet treat.
• Breakfast Companion: Pair the casserole with crispy bacon, fresh fruit salad, or a light yogurt parfait to create a well-rounded morning meal that satisfies every taste bud.
• Make-Ahead: Prepare the casserole the night before, allowing it to sit in the refrigerator overnight, which makes breakfast preparation a breeze and enhances the flavors.

Best Ways to Store Berry French Toast Casserole

• Store the assembled casserole tightly wrapped in plastic film in the refrigerator for up to 3 days before baking. The longer it sits, the more flavorful the bread becomes as it absorbs the delicious custard mixture.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 45-60 seconds or reheat the entire casserole in a 325F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
• Prepare the entire casserole, wrap securely in double layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed in the original recipe.
• Keep extra fresh berries separate in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Add them just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and prevent soggy texture. Consume additional berries within 2-3 days for optimal taste and quality.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh ones?

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

• Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute the bread with gluten-free bread cubes and use a gluten-free flour for the topping.

• How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?

The casserole is done when the top is golden brown and the center is set but slightly jiggly. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean.

• Can I prepare this casserole in advance for a brunch?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate it. Just add the crumb topping right before baking to keep it crisp.

Ultimate Berry French Toast Casserole

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delicious Berry French Toast Casserole brings together creamy textures and fruity flavors from classic breakfast traditions. Layers of bread, berries, and custard create a simple yet elegant morning meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 loaf French bread or brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) mixed fresh berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsps (45 g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup (60 g) sliced almonds or pecans
• Powdered sugar
• Maple syrup
• Additional fresh berries

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a non-stick foundation for the casserole.
2. Layering: Systematically arrange bread cubes in two even layers, interspersing mixed berries between each stratum to maximize flavor distribution.
3. Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until seamlessly blended, eliminating any potential lumps.
4. Moisture Infusion: Delicately pour custard over bread and berries, gently pressing to ensure complete liquid absorption and uniform flavor integration.
5. Refrigeration: Envelop the dish in plastic wrap and chill for at least 3 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and develop complex taste profiles.
6. Crumble Preparation: Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter, working the mixture until it achieves a loose, granular consistency. Fold in sliced almonds or pecans for textural contrast.
7. Thermal Processing: Preheat oven to 350F (175C), remove casserole from refrigeration, and distribute nutty crumble topping evenly across the surface.
8. Baking: Cook uncovered for 40-50 minutes, monitoring until the top achieves a rich golden-brown hue and the custard sets completely.
9. Finishing Touches: Allow casserole to rest 5-10 minutes post-baking, then elegantly garnish with powdered sugar, maple syrup drizzle, and fresh berry accents.

Notes

• Optimize Overnight Soaking: Let the casserole rest in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to allow bread to fully absorb the custard and develop deeper flavor complexity.
• Prevent Soggy Texture: Use day-old or slightly stale bread to help absorb the custard without becoming overly mushy, ensuring a perfect balance between softness and structure.
• Customize Berry Selection: Mix different berry varieties like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for enhanced flavor depth and vibrant color contrast in the final dish.
• Adjust Dietary Needs: Substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk for lactose-free version, and use gluten-free bread to make the casserole accessible to more dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg