Blueberry French Toast Casserole – My Baking Habit

Made with recent, 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 evening earlier than and bake it the subsequent 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 the entire 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 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 understand that for me, meaning incorporating two of my favourite components: recent 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, recent 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 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 evenly candy custard.

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

Even higher, you possibly can assemble it the evening 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 whole lot of eggs. But it surely additionally makes a giant pan, so that you’re in a position to feed a crowd of individuals!

How one can 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 recent or frozen blueberries 
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• ⅔ cup evenly 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. When you can’t discover brioche, challah would work rather well, too. 

You should utilize recent blueberries, however frozen blueberries work simply as nicely. When 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  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 along with your fingertips, rubbing the zest into the sugar till it’s nicely mixed and aromatic.

It is a small step that can 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.

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

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

Serving recommendations

You’ll be able to 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! Attempt 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 may even high it with some lemon curd if you would like extra lemon taste.

Continuously requested questions