Description
Indulge in a decadent breakfast treat with this Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole. A delightful make-ahead dish that marries the richness of cream cheese with the comforting flavors of French toast, perfect for a cozy morning or special brunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Casserole:
- 1 loaf French bread (day-old, about 14–16 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 oz cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Optional Garnish:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh berries
Instructions
- Grease the baking dish: Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer the casserole: Spread half of the bread cubes in the dish, add cream cheese, then top with remaining bread.
- Prepare the custard: Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour over bread, press down, cover, and chill.
- Make the topping: Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and butter to form crumbs. Chill.
- Bake: Sprinkle topping on casserole, bake at 350°F for 45–50 minutes until golden.
- Serve: Cool slightly, garnish as desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- Enhance with fruit like strawberries, blueberries, or apples between layers.
- Casserole reheats well and can be frozen post-baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
