Description
Creamy blueberry & cream cheese french toast casserole delivers weekend breakfast magic with minimal morning effort. Rich layers of tender bread, tangy cream cheese, and juicy blueberries promise pure comfort when sweet cravings call.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf (about 1 lb / 450 g) French bread or brioche, cubed
- 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 2 cups (300 g) fresh or frozen blueberries
- 8 large eggs
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) milk
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry and Topping Ingredients:
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Assemble the foundational layer by generously coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with non-stick spray. Distribute half the bread cubes uniformly across the surface, creating an initial mosaic of texture.
- Strategically scatter cream cheese fragments and a generous handful of blueberries across the initial bread layer. Carefully crown this with the remaining bread cubes and additional blueberries, constructing a delectable architectural base.
- Craft the luxurious custard fusion by whisking eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a spacious mixing bowl. Ensure each ingredient harmonizes into a silky, uniform liquid.
- Gently cascade the custard mixture over the layered bread landscape, delicately pressing downward to guarantee complete moisture absorption. Envelop the dish with protective wrap and allow it to rest and meld flavors in the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours.
- Fabricate the streusel crown by combining flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Integrate cold butter using fingertips or a pastry tool until the mixture transforms into rustic, uneven crumbs.
- Remove the casserole from cold storage and permit it to acclimate to room temperature for approximately 20 minutes. Liberally dust the streusel across the surface, creating a textural canvas.
- Heat the oven to 350F and position the casserole centrally. Bake uncovered until the top achieves a golden, crisp complexion and the custard sets firmly, approximately 45-50 minutes.
- After removing from the oven, allow the casserole a brief rest of 10 minutes. Embellish with a delicate snowfall of powdered sugar and accompany with maple syrup or a cloud of whipped cream for an indulgent finale.
Notes
- Optimize soaking time by letting the bread absorb the custard overnight, which guarantees maximum flavor and perfect texture.
- Substitute challah or brioche for standard bread to elevate the richness and create a more luxurious breakfast experience.
- Experiment with alternative berries like raspberries or mixed frozen fruits for diverse flavor profiles and seasonal adaptations.
- Reduce sugar content by using low-fat cream cheese and replacing some sugar with monk fruit sweetener for a lighter, diabetic-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 345 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 187 mg