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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a non-stick foundation for the casserole.
- Layering: Systematically arrange bread cubes in two even layers, interspersing mixed berries between each stratum to maximize flavor distribution.
- Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until seamlessly blended, eliminating any potential lumps.
- Moisture Infusion: Delicately pour custard over bread and berries, gently pressing to ensure complete liquid absorption and uniform flavor integration.
- Refrigeration: Envelop the dish in plastic wrap and chill for at least 3 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and develop complex taste profiles.
- 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.
- Thermal Processing: Preheat oven to 350F (175C), remove casserole from refrigeration, and distribute nutty crumble topping evenly across the surface.
- Baking: Cook uncovered for 40-50 minutes, monitoring until the top achieves a rich golden-brown hue and the custard sets completely.
- 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