Description
Overnight blueberry French toast casserole is a decadent, make-ahead breakfast layered with blueberry-studded cream cheese, soft bread, and spiced custard baked to golden perfection. Perfect for holidays, brunches, or stress-free mornings. Easily made gluten-free or vegan.
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
– 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
– 1 tbsp vanilla extract
– 2 tbsp milk
– 1 cup fresh blueberries
For the Bread and Custard:
– 2 loaves (about 16 cups) day-old French bread, cubed (½–1-inch pieces)
– 8 large eggs
– 2 cups (480ml) milk
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– ½ tsp ground nutmeg
For Topping:
– 1 cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
- Gently fold in 1 cup blueberries. Set aside.
- Grease a 10×14-inch (or 9×13-inch) baking dish.
- Spread half the bread cubes in the bottom of the dish.
- Spoon cream cheese mixture evenly over the bread.
- Top with remaining bread cubes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well blended.
- Pour custard evenly over bread layers, pressing down gently to help bread absorb liquid.
- Sprinkle 1 cup blueberries over the top.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Remove from fridge 30–60 minutes before baking.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake covered for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake 30 more minutes, until center is set and top is golden.
- Let rest 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
– Use stale or day-old bread fresh bread becomes too soggy.
– Frozen blueberries? Thaw and pat dry to avoid excess moisture.
– Gluten-free: Use certified GF bread (brioche-style works best).
– Vegan option: Use flax eggs (8 tbsp ground flax + 20 tbsp water), plant-based milk, and dairy-free cream cheese.
– Bread alternatives: Brioche, challah, or Texas toast work beautifully.
– Make ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance; bake when ready.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ overnight chilling)
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Brunch
- Method: Baking (Make-Ahead)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/12 of casserole)
- Calories: ~380
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 160mg