Description
Indulgent blueberry & cream cheese french toast casserole promises a delightful breakfast experience. Layers of rich bread, tangy cream cheese, and juicy blueberries create a comforting morning treat you’ll savor with pure pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf (1 lb / 450 g) brioche or French bread, cubed
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 2 cups (300 g) blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Instructions
- Preparation: Lavishly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Layer half the bread cubes uniformly, creating a textural foundation.
- Layering: Disperse cream cheese fragments and blueberries across the initial bread layer. Top with remaining bread cubes and additional blueberries, constructing a vibrant base.
- Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl until seamlessly blended into a silky liquid.
- Infusion: Pour custard over the bread landscape, gently pressing to ensure complete moisture absorption. Wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to meld flavors.
- Streusel Assembly: Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Work cold butter into the mixture using fingertips until rustic, uneven crumbs form.
- Final Preparation: Allow casserole to reach room temperature for 20 minutes. Generously sprinkle streusel across the surface, creating a textural canvas.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 350F. Position casserole centrally and bake uncovered until golden and custard sets firmly, approximately 45-50 minutes.
- Serving: Rest for 10 minutes post-baking. Dust with powdered sugar and serve alongside maple syrup or whipped cream for an indulgent presentation.
Notes
- Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old or slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for better custard absorption and richer texture. Avoid fresh, soft bread that might become too soggy.
- Cream Cheese Distribution: Cut cream cheese into small, uniform cubes to ensure even flavor and texture throughout the casserole. Cold cream cheese works best for maintaining distinct pockets.
- Overnight Marination Magic: Refrigerating the casserole for at least 2 hours (or overnight) allows bread to fully soak up the custard, creating a more cohesive and luxurious dish.
- Streusel Texture Trick: Work with cold butter and use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to create uneven, rustic crumbs. Avoid overworking the mixture to maintain a light, crispy topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg