🫐 Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake

🍽️ Description

This dish is a cozy, oven-baked breakfast or brunch casserole made with cubes of bread soaked in a rich egg custard, layered with creamy cheese, and topped with juicy blueberries and crunchy almonds. The top becomes golden and slightly crisp, while the inside stays soft, creamy, and lightly sweet—perfect for weekends or gatherings.

🧾 Ingredients

For the casserole:

• 1 loaf brioche or challah bread (cut into cubes)
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese (cubed)
• 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups milk (whole milk preferred)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Topping:

• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 2 tbsp brown sugar

Optional:

• Maple syrup (for serving)
• Powdered sugar

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the base

• Grease a baking dish (like the one in your image).
• Spread half the bread cubes evenly.
• Add cream cheese cubes and half the blueberries.
• Top with remaining bread and blueberries.

2. Make the custard

• In a bowl, whisk:
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Heavy cream
  • Sugars
  • Vanilla
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt
• Pour evenly over the bread mixture.

3. Chill (important!)

• Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight (best results).

4. Add topping

• Mix almonds, butter, and brown sugar.
• Sprinkle on top before baking.

5. Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Bake uncovered for 40–50 minutes until golden and set.

6. Serve

• Let cool 5–10 minutes.
• Serve warm with maple syrup or powdered sugar.

❓ Q&A

❓ Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! This is actually better when made overnight. It allows the bread to fully absorb the custard.

❓ Can I use frozen blueberries?

Yes—no need to thaw. Just expect slightly more moisture.

❓ What bread works best?

• Brioche (rich & buttery)
• Challah (soft & slightly sweet)
• French bread (firmer texture)

Avoid very soft sandwich bread—it can get soggy.

❓ Can I make it less sweet?

Absolutely:

• Reduce sugar by half
• Skip the brown sugar topping
• Use unsweetened berries

❓ How do I know it’s done?

• Top is golden brown
• Center is set (not liquidy)
• Knife inserted comes out mostly clean

❓ Can I add other ingredients?

Yes! Try:

• Strawberries or raspberries
• Pecans or walnuts
• Lemon zest (bright flavor boost)

❓ How do I store leftovers?

• Refrigerate up to 3 days
• Reheat in oven (best) or microwave

💡 Pro Tips

• Slightly stale bread works best—it absorbs more custard.
• Don’t skip resting time; it’s key for texture.
• For extra crispness, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.