This easy blueberry overnight French toast bake is a beautiful choice for feeding a breakfast or brunch crowd. Prepared the night before, all you need to do the next morning is pop it in the oven to bake. Cutting the bread into cubes makes this an even easier option than using full slices of bread.
Dig out that 9 x 13 casserole pan and cube a loaf of French bread for this easy French toast bake. All you need are some eggs, blueberries and cream cheese, enough room in the refrigerator to let it set overnight and a hot oven the next morning and you’ve got a delicious indulgent breakfast. Let’s read more about its story.
This past week, our local South Metro Denver Board of Realtors held its 13th Annual “Trim-A-Tree For Charity” Christmas Breakfast. The purpose of the event was to collect as many toys as we could for families in need. The toys were donated to Interfaith Community Services, a charity who supports families in the South Metro Denver area.
About 50 of us on the committee plan the event each year. We invite the entire real estate community to attend a breakfast where we cook pancakes, bacon, sausage and eggs. Admittance to the event is simply an unwrapped toy for a child whose family has fallen on hard times and who might not have a Christmas tree, let alone gifts under that tree.
Santa is always invited to help spread the cheer and visit with the children in attendance…which by the way are children of attendees. Board members from Interfaith Community Services are invited along with a big truck to transport the toys back to their facility where they sort and distribute to needy families. We raised around $10,000 this year, a record for us.
Brian Counterman, Allstate Insurance, one of our committee members is also a professional jazz musician. He generously donates his time each year to provide us with Christmas music. Brian is on the right.
A Christmas brunch party wouldn’t be a party without Mimosas. While serving mimosas to the crowd, Nikki Christiansen from Internet Media Consultants (far right) asked me if I had ever prepared Blueberry Stuffed French Toast from the Colorado Collage Junior League Cookbook. I replied no, and she began this long description of the dish that had my mouth watering as soon as she mentioned the cream cheese.
So back to this easy French toast casserole. This recipe includes a blueberry syrup which I altered a bit by adding some lemon oil to make it a blueberry-lemon syrup. I also served some pure maple syrup at the table and we thought both were really good, obviously each changing the mood of the dish considerably. You’re absolutely going to love this make ahead French toast casserole and you’ll want to make it over and over.
And nestled beside a couple patties of Jimmy Dean Original Pork Sausage, it was a great combination of flavors.
So, if you’re looking for a beautiful French toast casserole recipe to serve for the holidays, consider this beautiful dish. It’s easy and it’s impressive.
Recipe For Blueberry Overnight French Toast Bake
I hope you try these blueberry breakfast casserole, and if you do, please come back and let me know how you liked it and give the recipe a star rating. Your feedback is valuable to me for developing future recipes.
This easy blueberry overnight French toast bake is a beautiful choice for feeding a breakfast or brunch crowd. Prepared the night before, all you need to do the next morning is pop it in the oven to bake. Cutting the bread into cubes makes this an even easier option than using full slices of bread.
- 12 slices french bread I used a 12 ounce baguette, cut into 1-inch cube.
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese chilled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups fresh blueberries rinsed and drained
- 12 large eggs
- 1/3 Cup maple syrup
- 2 Cup milk
- Blueberry Syrup
- 1 Cup sugar
- 2 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 Cup water
- 1 Cup fresh blueberries rinsed and drained
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 - 3 drops pure lemon oil optional
- Grease 13 x 9 baking pan. Place half the bread cubes evenly in prepared pan. Scatter cream cheese cubes over bread and sprinkle with 2 cups blueberries. Arrange remaining bread cubes over blueberries.
- In a large bowl combine eggs, maple syrup, and milk and whisk to blend. Pour evenly over reserved bread mixture. Cover with foil and chill overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake, covered with foil, in middle of oven 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking 30 minutes longer. Or until puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let set about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and water over medium high heat. Cook stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until thickened. Stir in 1 cup blueberries and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until most berries burst. Add butter and lemon oil (if using) and stir until butter is melted. You may prepare this up to 1 day in advance, refrigerate and gently reheat. Transfer to serving bowl.
- Plate French Toast on individual serving plates and offer with both blueberry and maple syrups.
Ali says
December 12, 2012 at 8:42 amThis would be amazing for a Christmas breakfast. Thanks for such a great recipe 🙂
Lea Ann says
December 12, 2012 at 4:12 pmYou’re so welcome Ali.
pam says
December 12, 2012 at 10:49 amSounds like a winner! And I love your cute bowl!
Lea Ann says
December 12, 2012 at 4:12 pmPam, I’ve got a set of those bowls/plates/etc. Depression glass that my mom collected for years. I think it’s beautiful.
Sophie33 says
December 12, 2012 at 10:58 amMMMMMM! What a lovely read too!
Lea Ann says
December 12, 2012 at 4:11 pmThanks for stopping by and the comment Sophie. Always fun to hear from someone new. Heading over to check out your blog.
Larry says
December 12, 2012 at 11:11 amThat’s one lucky Santa if all you hot women sat on his lap.
Lea Ann says
December 12, 2012 at 4:10 pmSanta got a lot of kisses that day.
Larry says
December 12, 2012 at 11:17 amSorry I forgot to comment on the french toast thinking about being that santa.
Lea Ann says
December 12, 2012 at 4:10 pmYou’re too funny. Yes, there was a recipe involved.
Karen says
December 12, 2012 at 12:10 pmGreat thing to do for the community! The french toast sounds decadent.
Lea Ann says
December 12, 2012 at 4:07 pmIt really doesn’t seem too rich when you’re eating it. I was surprised how light and fluffy it was.
Nancy says
December 12, 2012 at 3:49 pmI am quite fond of every ingredient in this…passing on to my chef. Looks delicious! I’m sure the blueberries make it very healthy.
Lea Ann says
December 12, 2012 at 4:07 pmYes, the blueberries make it healthy food… that’s my story and I’m stickin to it. 🙂
Nancy says
December 13, 2012 at 9:57 amLOL – we have yogurt, granola and blueberries for breakfast almost every day…I think this is just a variation on that, right? 😉
Lea Ann says
December 15, 2012 at 10:18 amYes, and healthier 😉
Nancy says
December 15, 2012 at 5:06 pmI value your expertise.
Vickie says
December 12, 2012 at 4:06 pmWhat a wonderful event – so very nice to help others during the holidays. That dish sounds as decadent as all get out. 😀 Another fun use of the lemon oil, too. Of course MY mouth is watering over the hobnail dish and vintage spoon. Merry Christmas!
Holly says
December 12, 2012 at 4:38 pmWhat a special event! The blueberry dish is just what I’d love on Christmas morning. My kids are not as willing to step away from their usual cereal so I might cut your recipe in half and make some individual dishes just for me!
Lea Ann says
December 15, 2012 at 10:20 amLet me know if you like it Holly. It’s so easy and scrumptious.
Jenn's Food Journey says
December 13, 2012 at 5:13 amWhat a fantastic charity event!! And the stuffed French toast looks even more fantastic!!
Lea Ann says
December 15, 2012 at 10:19 amThanks Jenn.
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
December 13, 2012 at 5:50 amCongratulations on your fund raiser. What a nice event that helps children at Christmas time. Your blueberry French toast sounds like just the perfect breakfast for house guests. Who wouldn’t want to rise and shine for this?
Sam
Lea Ann says
December 15, 2012 at 10:19 amThanks Sam. I just got done reading your chicken recipe…still reeling over that one.
Susan says
December 13, 2012 at 11:08 amWhat a fun event and so worthwhile too. This recipe would be very worthwhile in my home over the holidays 🙂
Lea Ann says
December 15, 2012 at 10:18 amThat’s why I ran home and made it. It just sounded like a recipe people might be looking for over the Holiday.
Jane says
December 13, 2012 at 5:32 pmWow, that sounds so good! Sometimes I don’t like French Toast if it is too bready, but cutting the bread in cubes is a great idea!!
Lea Ann says
December 15, 2012 at 10:17 amI don’t think I’ve had French Toast in 20 years. I thought this sounded moist, yummy and full of flavor.
Rhonda says
December 13, 2012 at 10:35 pmAll I need for Christmas is that stuffed French toast!
Lea Ann says
December 15, 2012 at 10:17 amYES! 🙂
Barb | Creative Culinary says
December 14, 2012 at 2:41 pmWhat a lovely event Lea Ann; this time of year it’s nice to remember those who are really in need.
Maybe your mouth was watering because you had this dish before? I served it at our very first Food Blogger event almost 2 years ago. I’ve loved this dish for years; it never fails to disappoint. Now I’m the one craving a taste!
Lea Ann says
December 15, 2012 at 10:17 amThanks Barb. And ohmygosh, I had forgotten about you making this wonderful dish. Don’t we just love our Jr. League Cookbooks.
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
December 14, 2012 at 2:47 pmCongratulations on raising so much money -that’s great! The French toast sounds perfect for the holidays. I could also eat if for dessert.: )
Lea Ann says
December 15, 2012 at 10:16 amIt was a record for us Nancy. And how fun do you think it was going shopping for toys with that much money. 6 of us had a ball.
Lea Ann says
December 15, 2012 at 10:20 amDon’t you love the look on his face?? He’s a great little Santa. and ah shucks, thanks for the compliment Ansh
Chris says
December 16, 2012 at 4:10 pmI saw Coey kisssssing Santa Claus…..
Sorry, I sing horribly;)
Lea Ann says
December 17, 2012 at 7:09 amhi-jinx at the Christmas party. 🙂
Lori Brown says
December 22, 2012 at 7:00 pmLea Ann,
Thank you so much for posting this recipe on-line because I lost mine from my ex-SIL and this is the best stuffed french toast ever. Love all the recipes from the Colorado Collage Jr. League Cookbook. Merry Christmas.