Blueberry French Toast Casserole – My Baking Dependancy

Made with contemporary, plump blueberries and a touch of lemon, blueberry french toast casserole is a straightforward approach to make wealthy, custardy french toast for a crowd. Prep this casserole the night time earlier than and bake it the following morning to make it even simpler!

Anybody who is aware of me is aware of that I’m a giant fan of breakfast casseroles. My make-ahead breakfast casserole and Christmas morning casserole get made all the time over right here.

And never only for a vacation breakfast or brunch! Generally I’ll make certainly one of my breakfast casserole recipes on a Sunday night so we’ve got breakfast able to reheat all through the week.

Lately I used to be craving my in a single day french toast casserole, however wished to provide it extra of a spring twist. And you already know that for me, which means incorporating two of my favourite substances: contemporary berries and lemon.

Why you’ll love this blueberry french toast casserole recipe

My blueberry french toast casserole combines wealthy brioche bread, an eggy custard, contemporary blueberries, and a little bit of lemon zest. 

This can be a french toast casserole for anybody who needs one thing that isn’t overly candy. You may all the time high it with maple syrup or powdered sugar so as to add extra sweetness, however the taste of the casserole is nicely balanced between the fruity blueberries, vivid lemon, and calmly candy custard.

It’s much like my blueberry bread pudding however is just a bit much less wealthy—good for breakfast! 

Even higher, you possibly can assemble it the night time earlier than and bake it within the morning. An actual win, since I’m not in a position to perform within the morning earlier than I get a cup of espresso or iced shaken espresso in my system. 

And sure, this recipe does use a number of eggs. However it additionally makes a giant pan, so that you’re in a position to feed a crowd of individuals!

Find out how to make my blueberry french toast casserole

There’s nothing sophisticated right here—that is only a easy recipe that seems completely scrumptious.

Elements you’ll want

• 16 ounces brioche bread 
• 2 cups contemporary or frozen blueberries 
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• ⅔ cup calmly packed gentle brown sugar
• 8 giant eggs
• 1 cup complete milk
• 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Brioche bread is my go-to for making french toast casserole. It soaks up the custard rather well and provides richness with out having to make use of heavy cream within the recipe.

16 ounces is about 1 loaf of brioche. In the event you can’t discover brioche, challah would work rather well, too. 

You should use contemporary blueberries, however frozen blueberries work simply as nicely. In the event you’re utilizing frozen, don’t thaw them earlier than including them.

Out of brown sugar? Make a straightforward brown sugar substitute to make use of as a substitute. In case your brown sugar hardened within the pantry, study learn how to soften brown sugar and save a visit to the shop. 

I like to recommend utilizing complete milk on this recipe, however a reduced-fat milk or non-dairy milk will work, too. 

Making this french toast casserole

Begin by chopping the bread into 1-inch cubes with a big serrated knife. Add half of the bread cubes to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and high with half of the blueberries.

Evenly high with the remainder of the bread, adopted by the remainder of the blueberries.

Now make the custard. In a big bowl, mix the lemon zest and brown sugar together with your fingertips, rubbing the zest into the sugar till it’s nicely mixed and aromatic.

This can be a small step that can assist infuse the flavour of the zest into each single chew, similar to once we make lemon raspberry muffins.

Whisk within the eggs, milk, melted butter, vanilla, and salt. Slowly pour the custard over the bread and blueberries. Cowl the pan with foil and refrigerate the casserole for at the least 4 hours, or as much as 12 hours.

Whenever you’re able to bake the french toast casserole, let the pan sit at room temperature whilst you preheat the oven to 350°F.

Bake the casserole lined for 45 minutes, then take away the foil and proceed baking for one more 10-Quarter-hour. It’s accomplished when the french toast is evenly puffed and the custard within the middle is cooked via.

Serving strategies

You may go completely basic with this blueberry french toast and serve it heat with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.

However don’t cease there! Strive including a dollop of whipped cream to make it extra dessert-like, or high it with home made blueberry sauce for much more blueberry goodness. 

You possibly can even high it with some lemon curd in order for you extra lemon taste.

Incessantly requested questions