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Make Ahead Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake

Make ahead blueberry cream cheese French toast bake with powdered sugar.
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This is a decadent, custardy breakfast casserole that combines the best of French toast and bread pudding. With juicy blueberries and creamy cheese, it's assembled the night before for a stress-free, crowd-pleasing brunch. It bakes up golden and fragrant, perfect for special mornings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf (16 oz) challah, brioche, or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 oz block cream cheese, cut into small cubes
  • 1.5 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour (for topping)
  • 0.25 cup packed brown sugar (for topping)
  • 0.25 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (for topping)
  • 0.5 tsp cinnamon (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread half of the bread cubes in the dish.
  2. Scatter the cream cheese cubes and blueberries evenly over the bread layer. Top with the remaining bread cubes.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
  4. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread layers. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to ensure it is fully soaked.
  5. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight (8-12 hours).
  6. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). For the topping, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
  7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set (no liquid jiggle).
  8. Let the bake rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with maple syrup if desired.

Notes

Use day-old or slightly stale bread for best texture. The overnight rest is crucial for full custard absorption. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil. Leftovers reheat well.

Nutrition

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