Description
This Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast is a luscious breakfast casserole featuring layers of brioche bread, cream cheese, and fresh strawberries soaked in a sweet vanilla- and maple-infused custard, baked to golden perfection for a decadent morning treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) loaf brioche bread, cubed
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
- 1 pound strawberries, diced and divided
Custard Mixture
- 12 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups whole milk
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Topping
- 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish and layer bread: Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Arrange a layer of the cubed brioche bread evenly in the dish. Add cream cheese cubes and half of the diced strawberries evenly over the bread. Layer the remaining bread cubes on top to cover the filling completely.
- Mix custard and soak: In a large glass measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, whole milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and kosher salt until well combined. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the layered bread in the baking dish. Cover the dish and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight so the bread absorbs the custard.
- Preheat oven and rest: Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake the French toast: Place the covered baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and continue baking for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set and firm.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the French toast from the oven and sprinkle the remaining diced strawberries and confectioners’ sugar on top. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For best results, soak the casserole overnight to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard mixture.
- You can substitute brioche with challah bread if brioche is not available.
- Use fresh strawberries for optimal flavor; frozen strawberries may release extra moisture and affect texture.
- Serving with a drizzle of additional maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream can enhance the experience.
- Let the casserole cool slightly before slicing for neater pieces.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
