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    Home > Breakfast > Cream Cheese Blueberry French Toast Casserole

    Cream Cheese Blueberry French Toast Casserole

    Published: Dec 7, 2021 · Modified: Feb 14, 2023 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Overnight french toast casserole with blueberries and cream cheese.

    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.

    Overnight Blueberry French Toast with an egg and blueberry syrup

    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

    Ingredients to make blueberry french toast casserole
    • 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

    French bread and blueberries in a 9 x 13 casserole
    • 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.
    Cubed french bread, blueberries and cream cheese in a casserole dish.
    • Step 2: Top with the remaining half of the French bread cubes.
    Custard with eggs, milk, vanilla and maple syrup
    • Step 3: Make the custard: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, maple syrup and milk. Using a whisk, mix until smooth.
    Pouring maple syrup over make ahead blueberry french toast casserole.
    • 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.
    Baked blueberry french toast casserole in a 9 x 13 casserole pan.
    • 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

    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

    What type of bread is best for French Toast?

    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.

    Why is my French toast casserole soggy?

    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.

    Can I use frozen blueberries for this recipe?

    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

    Blueberry french toast bake with bacon and a fried egg

    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

    And, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Make it a delicious day … every day.

    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 with an egg and blueberry syrup

    Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole with Cream Cheese

    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.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast Recipes
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 451kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    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
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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

    Tips For Success: 
    • 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.
    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 256mg | Sodium: 343mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin A: 542IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

    Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole … It’s Whats For A Holiday Breakfast

    Lea Ann Brown
    Lea Ann Brown

    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.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Larry says

      December 08, 2021 at 6:21 am

      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.

      Reply
    2. Lori Brown says

      December 22, 2012 at 7:00 pm

      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.

      Reply
    3. Chris says

      December 16, 2012 at 4:10 pm

      I saw Coey kisssssing Santa Claus…..

      Sorry, I sing horribly;)

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 17, 2012 at 7:09 am

        hi-jinx at the Christmas party. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lea Ann says

      December 15, 2012 at 10:20 am

      Don’t you love the look on his face?? He’s a great little Santa. and ah shucks, thanks for the compliment Ansh

      Reply
    5. Nancy/SpicieFoodie says

      December 14, 2012 at 2:47 pm

      Congratulations on raising so much money -that’s great! The French toast sounds perfect for the holidays. I could also eat if for dessert.: )

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 15, 2012 at 10:16 am

        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.

        Reply
    6. Barb | Creative Culinary says

      December 14, 2012 at 2:41 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 15, 2012 at 10:17 am

        Thanks Barb. And ohmygosh, I had forgotten about you making this wonderful dish. Don’t we just love our Jr. League Cookbooks.

        Reply
    7. Rhonda says

      December 13, 2012 at 10:35 pm

      All I need for Christmas is that stuffed French toast!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 15, 2012 at 10:17 am

        YES! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Jane says

      December 13, 2012 at 5:32 pm

      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!!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 15, 2012 at 10:17 am

        I don’t think I’ve had French Toast in 20 years. I thought this sounded moist, yummy and full of flavor.

        Reply
    9. Susan says

      December 13, 2012 at 11:08 am

      What a fun event and so worthwhile too. This recipe would be very worthwhile in my home over the holidays 🙂

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 15, 2012 at 10:18 am

        That’s why I ran home and made it. It just sounded like a recipe people might be looking for over the Holiday.

        Reply
    10. Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says

      December 13, 2012 at 5:50 am

      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

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 15, 2012 at 10:19 am

        Thanks Sam. I just got done reading your chicken recipe…still reeling over that one.

        Reply
    11. Jenn's Food Journey says

      December 13, 2012 at 5:13 am

      What a fantastic charity event!! And the stuffed French toast looks even more fantastic!!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 15, 2012 at 10:19 am

        Thanks Jenn.

        Reply
    12. Holly says

      December 12, 2012 at 4:38 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 15, 2012 at 10:20 am

        Let me know if you like it Holly. It’s so easy and scrumptious.

        Reply
    13. Vickie says

      December 12, 2012 at 4:06 pm

      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!

      Reply
    14. Nancy says

      December 12, 2012 at 3:49 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 12, 2012 at 4:07 pm

        Yes, the blueberries make it healthy food… that’s my story and I’m stickin to it. 🙂

        Reply
        • Nancy says

          December 13, 2012 at 9:57 am

          LOL – 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 am

          Yes, and healthier 😉

        • Nancy says

          December 15, 2012 at 5:06 pm

          I value your expertise.

    15. Karen says

      December 12, 2012 at 12:10 pm

      Great thing to do for the community! The french toast sounds decadent.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 12, 2012 at 4:07 pm

        It really doesn’t seem too rich when you’re eating it. I was surprised how light and fluffy it was.

        Reply
    16. Larry says

      December 12, 2012 at 11:17 am

      Sorry I forgot to comment on the french toast thinking about being that santa.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 12, 2012 at 4:10 pm

        You’re too funny. Yes, there was a recipe involved.

        Reply
    17. Larry says

      December 12, 2012 at 11:11 am

      That’s one lucky Santa if all you hot women sat on his lap.

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 12, 2012 at 4:10 pm

        Santa got a lot of kisses that day.

        Reply
    18. Sophie33 says

      December 12, 2012 at 10:58 am

      5 stars
      MMMMMM! What a lovely read too!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 12, 2012 at 4:11 pm

        Thanks for stopping by and the comment Sophie. Always fun to hear from someone new. Heading over to check out your blog.

        Reply
    19. pam says

      December 12, 2012 at 10:49 am

      Sounds like a winner! And I love your cute bowl!

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 12, 2012 at 4:12 pm

        Pam, I’ve got a set of those bowls/plates/etc. Depression glass that my mom collected for years. I think it’s beautiful.

        Reply
    20. Ali says

      December 12, 2012 at 8:42 am

      This would be amazing for a Christmas breakfast. Thanks for such a great recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        December 12, 2012 at 4:12 pm

        You’re so welcome Ali.

        Reply
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    I'm Lea Ann, Welcome to my Colorado kitchen. I'm a Culinary School Grad with a passion to inspire you to cook as often as you can. Here you'll find Wild West Colorado inspired recipes along some Southwestern and Mexican food favorites. I also share some special recipes from school along pro cooking tips. If you're an adventurous cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of reliable, approachable, easy to follow recipes.

    More about me →

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