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Easy Baked French Toast Casserole with Berries

baked french toast casserole with berries - featured image
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A simple and delicious baked French toast casserole featuring thick-cut bread soaked in a rich custard with fresh berries, perfect for brunch or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups thick-cut bread cubes (day-old brioche or challah recommended)
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk (or almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk as a substitute)
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 cups mixed fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries)
  • Optional: 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey to drizzle over berries
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • Optional: chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch

Instructions

  1. Cube the bread into roughly 1-inch pieces. Toss the berries gently with maple syrup or honey if using, then set aside. If bread is fresh, toast lightly for 5 minutes to help it hold up better.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
  3. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread half the bread cubes evenly on the bottom. Scatter half the berries over the bread. Pour half the custard over the layer, gently pressing the bread down to absorb the liquid. Repeat with remaining bread, berries, and custard.
  4. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly over the casserole. Add chopped nuts if desired.
  5. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours to soak (optional but recommended).
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes until custard is set and top is golden brown and slightly crisp. Insert a knife into the center; it should come out clean but moist. Tent with foil if top browns too fast.
  7. Let the casserole cool slightly for 5 minutes before serving to set and slice cleanly.

Notes

Use day-old brioche or challah bread for best texture. Letting the casserole soak overnight improves creaminess and flavor. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil. For dairy-free, substitute milk and cream with almond or coconut milk. For vegan, replace eggs with flax eggs (texture will differ). Frozen berries can be used if thawed and drained. Leftovers store well refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked french toast casserole, breakfast casserole, brunch recipe, berries, easy breakfast, custard bake, family breakfast

Find it online: https://islatable.com/easy-baked-french-toast-casserole-with-berries-recipe-for-perfect-breakfast/