Blueberry French Toast Casserole – My Baking Dependancy

Made with contemporary, plump blueberries and a touch of lemon, blueberry french toast casserole is a simple approach to make wealthy, custardy french toast for a crowd. Prep this casserole the evening 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 an enormous fan of breakfast casseroles. My make-ahead breakfast casserole and Christmas morning casserole get made the entire time over right here.

And never only for a vacation breakfast or brunch! Typically I’ll make one among my breakfast casserole recipes on a Sunday night so we have now breakfast able to reheat all through the week.

Not too long ago 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 recognize that for me, meaning incorporating two of my favourite components: 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. 

It is a french toast casserole for anybody who desires one thing that isn’t overly candy. You’ll be able to at all times prime it with maple syrup or powdered sugar so as to add extra sweetness, however the taste of the casserole is effectively balanced between the fruity blueberries, brilliant lemon, and calmly candy custard.

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

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

And sure, this recipe does use plenty of eggs. Nevertheless it additionally makes an enormous pan, so that you’re in a position to feed a crowd of individuals!

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 massive eggs
• 1 cup entire 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. If you happen to can’t discover brioche, challah would work rather well, too. 

You should use contemporary blueberries, however frozen blueberries work simply as effectively. If you happen to’re utilizing frozen, don’t thaw them earlier than including them.

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

I like to recommend utilizing entire 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 prime with half of the blueberries.

Evenly prime 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 along with your fingertips, rubbing the zest into the sugar till it’s effectively mixed and aromatic.

It is a small step that may assist infuse the flavour of the zest into each single chunk, identical 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 no less than 4 hours, or as much as 12 hours.

While 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 an additional 10-Quarter-hour. It’s completed when the french toast is evenly puffed and the custard within the heart is cooked by.

Serving strategies

You’ll be able to go completely traditional 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! Attempt including a dollop of whipped cream to make it extra dessert-like, or prime it with home made blueberry sauce for much more blueberry goodness. 

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

Ceaselessly requested questions