If you’re looking for a showstopping brunch dish that’s as easy as it is irresistible, the Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is your new best friend. Imagine pillowy cubes of French bread, lush pockets of cream cheese, and juicy bursts of blueberry, all soaked in a sweet vanilla custard and crowned with a buttery cinnamon crumb. Whether you prep it the night before or whip it up for a special gathering, this casserole delivers comfort and celebration in every bite. It’s a recipe destined to become a family favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is how simple, familiar ingredients come together to create something truly special. Each component plays its part—think rich creaminess, gentle sweetness, and a pop of color that makes every forkful memorable.
- French bread: Sturdy and crusty, French bread soaks up the custard without turning soggy, giving you the best texture.
- Cream cheese: Cubed for little pockets of tangy, melty goodness throughout the casserole.
- Fresh or frozen blueberries: Blueberries add vibrant color and bursts of sweet-tart flavor—use frozen if fresh aren’t in season!
- Eggs: The backbone of the custard, eggs bind everything together and add richness.
- Whole milk: Whole milk brings the right balance of creaminess to the custard base.
- Heavy cream: For an extra-luxurious texture and flavor that makes this casserole feel indulgent.
- Granulated sugar: Adds gentle sweetness to the custard without overpowering the berries.
- Maple syrup: A touch of maple syrup deepens the flavor and hints at classic breakfast vibes.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla enhances all the other flavors and adds warmth to the custard.
- Ground cinnamon: A sprinkle of cinnamon brings cozy spice to both the custard and topping.
- Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and make every bite pop.
- All-purpose flour (for topping): Flour gives structure to the crumbly, sweet topping.
- Brown sugar (for topping): Adds a caramel note and a lovely golden color to the top crust.
- Cold butter (for topping): Cold, cubed butter creates those irresistible, buttery crumbs on top.
How to Make Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
Step 1: Prep the Baking Dish and Bread Layers
Start by greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make serving a breeze. Place half of your bread cubes in the bottom, then evenly sprinkle the cubes of cream cheese and blueberries over the bread. Top with the remaining bread cubes, ensuring you get an even distribution so every bite feels balanced.
Step 2: Mix Up the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until everything is smooth and well combined. This custard is what gives the Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole its signature creamy, decadent texture.
Step 3: Soak and Chill
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and berry layers, pressing down gently on the bread cubes to help them absorb all that rich custard. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours—overnight is even better, letting all the flavors meld and the bread fully soak up the goodness.
Step 4: Prepare the Crumb Topping
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This crumbly topping is what sets this casserole apart, adding texture and a sweet, buttery finish.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set. Let the casserole cool slightly before serving—it’ll slice more easily and the flavors will settle beautifully.
How to Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
Garnishes
For a truly eye-catching (and mouthwatering) finish, sprinkle a handful of fresh blueberries over the top just before serving. Add a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of warm maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness and brunch-worthy flair.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs beautifully with savory sides like crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or a fresh fruit salad. A simple green salad can also provide a lovely contrast if you’re serving this for brunch or a special gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re hosting a crowd, cut the Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole into neat squares and serve on a tiered platter. For a more casual breakfast, scoop it into bowls and let everyone top their own with syrup, extra berries, or even a dollop of whipped cream.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just cover the baking dish tightly with foil or transfer individual portions to airtight containers for easy reheating.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? Cool the casserole completely, then wrap individual pieces or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For best texture, reheat slices in a 350°F oven covered with foil until warmed through—about 20 minutes. You can also microwave individual servings for a quick breakfast, but the oven keeps the topping crispier.
FAQs
Can I use different types of bread?
Absolutely! While French bread is classic for this recipe, brioche or challah will make the Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole even richer and more custardy. Just be sure to use a sturdy loaf that can hold up to the soaking process.
Is it okay to use frozen blueberries?
Yes, frozen blueberries work perfectly and make this casserole a year-round treat. There’s no need to thaw them first—just scatter them in as you would with fresh berries.
Can I make this ahead of time?
This casserole is designed for make-ahead magic! Assemble it the night before, let it soak in the fridge, then simply bake in the morning for stress-free entertaining or holiday breakfasts.
How do I know when the casserole is done baking?
The casserole is ready when the top is golden and the center feels set—not liquidy—when you gently press it. A knife inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean, with just a touch of custard clinging to it.
What other fruits can I use?
Feel free to swap the blueberries for raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, or even a mix. Each brings its own flavor and color, so you can customize the Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole to match the season or your mood.
Final Thoughts
This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is the kind of recipe you’ll reach for every time you want to make breakfast or brunch feel extra special. It’s comforting, crowd-pleasing, and honestly, just a whole lot of fun to share. Give it a try—you’re about to fall in love with your new favorite breakfast bake!
Print
Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes plus at least 2 hours chilling time
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make baked breakfast dish that combines the rich flavors of cream cheese, fresh blueberries, and a cinnamon-scented custard. Perfect for a make-ahead brunch or a special weekend breakfast, this casserole is fluffy, creamy, and bursting with fruity sweetness, topped with a crumbly brown sugar and cinnamon streusel for extra texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Arrange half of the cubed French bread evenly in the dish to create the base layer for the casserole.
- Add Cream Cheese and Blueberries: Distribute the cream cheese cubes and blueberries evenly over the bread layer, ensuring every bite will have flavorful pockets of creaminess and fruit.
- Top with Remaining Bread Cubes: Cover the cream cheese and blueberries with the rest of the bread cubes, creating the top layer of your casserole.
- Make the Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until smooth and fully combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread, pressing down gently to help the bread absorb all the custard. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, for best results.
- Prepare the Topping: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or fork until mixture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the soaked casserole. Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with additional maple syrup on the side if desired for extra sweetness.
Notes
- This casserole can be assembled the night before and refrigerated, making it perfect for a make-ahead breakfast.
- Feel free to substitute blueberries with raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries for a different fruit flavor.
- Leftovers should be stored covered in the refrigerator and can be reheated within 3 days.
- Use stale or day-old French bread for better absorption of the custard mixture.
- If desired, add a pinch of nutmeg to the custard for extra warmth and spice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of casserole
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
