Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
This Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a decadent, creamy breakfast dish that combines luscious cream cheese, juicy blueberries, and custardy soaked French bread. Prepared the night before, it lets the flavors meld and the bread soak up the rich egg and milk mixture, resulting in a warm, tender, and flavorful casserole. Baked until golden and bubbly, it’s perfect for family gatherings or weekend brunches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes (including overnight refrigeration)
- Yield: 10 to 12 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup blueberries
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (preferably Philadelphia Cream Cheese)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract (divided: half for cream cheese mixture, half for egg mixture)
- 2 tbsp whole milk
Bread Layers
- 2 loaves cubed French bread (day-old preferred for soaking)
Egg Mixture
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups milk (whole milk recommended for richness)
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gently fold in 1 cup of blueberries to evenly distribute them within the creamy base.
- Assemble Bread Layers: In a 10×14-inch baking dish, spread an even layer of cubed French bread at the bottom. Carefully spread the cream cheese and blueberry mixture over this bread layer. Then, top with the remaining French bread cubes to create a layered structure.
- Mix Egg Mixture & Soak: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of milk, 8 eggs, the remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until thoroughly combined. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the layered bread and cream cheese in the baking dish, making sure the bread is fully soaked. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of blueberries evenly on top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and bread to absorb the custard.
- Preheat Oven: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before baking to let it come to room temperature. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while you wait.
- Bake Covered: Place the foil-covered baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. This initial baking sets the custard and warms the dish through.
- Bake Uncovered: After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes or until the center is set and the top turns a lovely golden brown. The total baking time should be about 75 minutes.
- Cool & Serve: Once finished baking, remove the casserole from the oven. Allow it to cool slightly for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy the creamy, blueberry-infused French toast casserole warm.
Notes
- Using day-old French bread helps ensure the bread soaks up the custard nicely without becoming too soggy.
- Whole milk adds richness, but you can substitute with any milk depending on dietary needs.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar or maple syrup when serving.
- Covering and refrigerating overnight enhances the custardy texture and flavor infusion.
Keywords: blueberry, French toast casserole, breakfast casserole, cream cheese, overnight soak, baked French toast, brunch recipe, blueberry breakfast
