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Easy Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake

Easy blueberry cream cheese French toast bake slice on a white plate.
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This overnight French toast bake is the ultimate make-ahead brunch. Layers of challah, cream cheese, and blueberries soak in a rich custard, then bake with a buttery streusel topping for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (12-16 oz) loaf day-old challah, brioche, or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 oz block cream cheese, softened and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw if frozen)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • Maple syrup or powdered sugar, for serving

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the bread cubes in an even layer. Scatter the cubed cream cheese and blueberries evenly over the bread. Top with the remaining bread cubes.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt until smooth. Slowly and evenly pour this custard over the layered bread, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure all pieces are soaked.
  3. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or up to 24 hours.
  4. Just before baking, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Make the streusel topping by mixing the flour, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter, fork, or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the soaked bread.
  5. Bake, uncovered, for 45-55 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crisp, the center is set (no liquid jiggle), and blueberries are bubbling at the edges. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving with maple syrup or powdered sugar.

Notes

Using day-old bread is crucial for the best texture. Do not skip the overnight chilling step, as it allows the bread to fully absorb the custard. For a dairy-light version, use almond milk and plant-based cream cheese. Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or oven.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.stacksipsnack.com/easy-blueberry-cream-cheese-french-toast-bake/