With cream cheese and a maple syrup custard, this easy overnight blueberry French Toast Bake is irresistible with flavor. And a beautiful choice for feeding a breakfast or brunch crowd. This is a make ahead recipe, prepared the night before, all you need to do is pop it in the oven the next morning.
It’s no secret that we love a good breakfast around here, and having a few easy make-ahead breakfast recipes to serve guests sure comes in handy. Some of my favorites are Overnight Make Ahead Breakfast Burrito Casserole, Pheasant Hunter’s Sausage Egg Cheese Casserole, and Hatch Green Chile Quiche with Bacon.
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. Once baked you’ve got a delicious indulgent breakfast.
Why You’re Going To Love This Overnight Blueberry French Toast
- It’s made with chunks of crusty French Bread to soak up an easy egg-y maple syrup custard.
- It’s full of sweet fresh blueberries.
- It’s a make ahead overnight blueberry french toast, which means you have time to spend with guests or family while it bakes the next morning.
- It makes enough to feed the entire family … and then some.
- This recipe is ridiculously easy to prep and prepare.
- Cutting French bread into cubes makes this an easier option than using full slices of bread.
- Soft and fluffy on the inside with a little crunch-y crust on the top = texture perfect.
- With 2 bars of cream cheese, this casserole is creamy decadent treat. You’ll savor every bite.
- This French toast is drizzled with homemade blueberry syrup. It’s incredible. And easy to make.
- No matter what your ability level is in the kitchen, this is a recipe that is easy to make and will impress your guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- One dozen large eggs.
- Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup please.
- Milk: Full fat or 2%
- Cream Cheese: 2 8-ounce blocks.
- Blueberries: Fresh is best.
- French Bread
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1: Cut bread into chunks and add half to a greased 9 x 13 x 2 casserole dish. Sprinkle in the blueberries and cubed cream cheese.
- Step 2: Top with the remaining half of the French bread cubes.
- Step 3: Make the custard: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, maple syrup and milk. Using a whisk, mix until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the maple syrup custard over the bread, cream cheese and blueberries. It’s ready to cover with foil and refrigerate over night.
- Step 5: The next morning, bake according to directions. While the casserole is baking, make the easy homemade blueberry syrup.
Ingredients to Make Homemade Blueberry Syrup
- Fresh Blueberries
- Sugar
- Cornstarch
- Butter
- Water
To make the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and 1 cup water over medium high heat. Cook stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until thickened. Stir in 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until most berries burst. Add butter and stir until butter is melted.
You may prepare this syrup up to 1 day in advance, refrigerate and gently reheat in the microwave before serving.
Pro Tips:
- Use day-old bread. If the bread is too fresh (soft), the casserole may be a little mushy in texture.
- To make easy work of cutting cream cheese into cubes, wait until the last minute to remove it from the refrigerator. And even a 15 minute rest in the freezer will make it easier to cube.
- Add a little squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lemon zest to the Blueberry syrup. It will brighten the flavor.
- Serve both the homemade blueberry syrup and maple syrup for a choice for guests to drizzle over the casserole.
FAQs
I like a crusty french bread baguette. Buy the bread a day or two in advance so the bread isn’t too soft. In France, French bread is usually served daily in the household. To avoid throwing out bread, the French would make French toast. Brioche or challah bread are a very popular choice for French toast. They are sturdy enough for the custard. Don’t use a soft white bread such as a commercially packaged and sliced white bread.
The bread you used was probably not old enough. Again, its best to use a stale bread that’s had a day or two to dry out. A dryer bread will hold the custard better.
Yes. Blueberries are a delicate fruit. You can add them frozen or thawed.
How To Store and Freeze
- Place any left over casserole in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to three days.
- This blueberry French toast will also freeze well. Wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap or place in an air-tight container. Freeze for up to two months. As with any freezer foods, let the casserole thaw overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat, place the casserole in a 300 degree oven and let it gently reheat. A microwave also works to reheat individual servings. I really like using a 50% power setting on the microwave to reheat anything.
Recipe for Blueberry French Toast Casserole
This easy and impressive overnight blueberry French toast is about to make you very popular and you’ll want to make it over and over again.
This sweet and savory casserole is a natural flavor combo alongside salty bacon or better yet, Homemade Turkey Breakfast Sausage.
More Breakfast Recipes You May Enjoy
- Home Fried Potatoes with Ham
- Mango Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast
- Creamy Scrambled Eggs with Rosemary and Capers
- Fried Biscuits with Sausage
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If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. And write a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback.
Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 12 ounces French bread Cut into 1-inch cube.
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese chilled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 cups fresh blueberries rinsed and drained, divided. You'll need one cup to make homemade blueberry syrup.
- 12 large eggs
- 1/3 Cup maple syrup
- 2 Cup milk whole fat works best
- For Homemade Blueberry Syrup
- 1 Cup sugar
- 2 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 Cup water
- 1 Cup fresh blueberries rinsed and drained
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lemon zest optional, to brighten flavor
Instructions
- 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.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl combine eggs, maple syrup, and milk. Whisk to blend. Pour evenly over the bread, blueberry, cream cheese mixture in the casserole pan.
- Cover with foil and chill overnight.
- To Bake: 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 before serving.
- To Make Syrup: 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 juice or zest (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. Serving this with bacon and sausage makes a complimentary meal.
Notes
- Use day-old bread. If the bread is too fresh (soft), the casserole may be a little mushy in texture.
- To make easy work of cutting cream cheese into cubes, wait until the last minute to remove it from the refrigerator. And even a 15 minute rest in the freezer will make it easier to cube.
- Add a little squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lemon zest to the Blueberry syrup. It will brighten the flavor.
- Serve both the homemade blueberry syrup and maple syrup for a choice for guests to drizzle over the casserole.
- Place any left over casserole in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to three days.
- This blueberry French toast will also freeze well. Wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap or place in an air-tight container. Freeze for up to two months. As with any freezer foods, let the casserole thaw overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat, place the casserole in a 300 degree oven and let it gently reheat. A microwave also works to reheat individual servings.
Nutrition
Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole … It’s Whats For A Holiday Breakfast
Why Trust These Recipes? Lea Ann Brown has lived, worked and played in Colorado for 45 years. She has immersed herself in the Colorado Culinary space, is a Culinary School Graduate and publishes her Colorado food Blog, Cooking On The Ranch.
We have enjoyed French toast casserole in the past and I know we would love this one. I like the idea of make ahead for an easy, delicious breakfast.
Lea 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.
I saw Coey kisssssing Santa Claus…..
Sorry, I sing horribly;)
hi-jinx at the Christmas party. 🙂
Don’t you love the look on his face?? He’s a great little Santa. and ah shucks, thanks for the compliment Ansh
Congratulations on raising so much money -that’s great! The French toast sounds perfect for the holidays. I could also eat if for dessert.: )
It 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.
What 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!
Thanks Barb. And ohmygosh, I had forgotten about you making this wonderful dish. Don’t we just love our Jr. League Cookbooks.
All I need for Christmas is that stuffed French toast!
YES! 🙂
Wow, 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!!
I don’t think I’ve had French Toast in 20 years. I thought this sounded moist, yummy and full of flavor.
What a fun event and so worthwhile too. This recipe would be very worthwhile in my home over the holidays 🙂
That’s why I ran home and made it. It just sounded like a recipe people might be looking for over the Holiday.
Congratulations 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
Thanks Sam. I just got done reading your chicken recipe…still reeling over that one.
What a fantastic charity event!! And the stuffed French toast looks even more fantastic!!
Thanks Jenn.
What 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!
Let me know if you like it Holly. It’s so easy and scrumptious.
What 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!
I am quite fond of every ingredient in this…passing on to my chef. Looks delicious! I’m sure the blueberries make it very healthy.
Yes, the blueberries make it healthy food… that’s my story and I’m stickin to it. 🙂
LOL – we have yogurt, granola and blueberries for breakfast almost every day…I think this is just a variation on that, right? 😉
Yes, and healthier 😉
I value your expertise.
Great thing to do for the community! The french toast sounds decadent.
It really doesn’t seem too rich when you’re eating it. I was surprised how light and fluffy it was.
Sorry I forgot to comment on the french toast thinking about being that santa.
You’re too funny. Yes, there was a recipe involved.
That’s one lucky Santa if all you hot women sat on his lap.
Santa got a lot of kisses that day.
MMMMMM! What a lovely read too!
Thanks for stopping by and the comment Sophie. Always fun to hear from someone new. Heading over to check out your blog.
Sounds like a winner! And I love your cute bowl!
Pam, I’ve got a set of those bowls/plates/etc. Depression glass that my mom collected for years. I think it’s beautiful.
This would be amazing for a Christmas breakfast. Thanks for such a great recipe 🙂
You’re so welcome Ali.