Blueberry French Toast Casserole: A Delicious and Easy Breakfast Recipe

Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a delightful dish that brings together the comforting flavors of breakfast in a convenient, make-ahead format. Imagine waking up to the sweet aroma of fresh blueberries and warm cinnamon wafting through your kitchen, inviting you to indulge in a slice of this heavenly casserole. This recipe has its roots in traditional French toast, but it elevates the classic dish by transforming it into a luscious, baked delight that is perfect for brunch gatherings or cozy family breakfasts.

People love Blueberry French Toast Casserole not only for its irresistible taste and fluffy texture but also for its convenience. You can prepare it the night before, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully, and simply pop it in the oven the next morning. The combination of juicy blueberries and creamy custard creates a mouthwatering experience that is both satisfying and comforting. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or just a leisurely weekend breakfast, this casserole is sure to impress and become a beloved staple in your home.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of day-old French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 cups fresh blueberries (you can also use frozen, but fresh is best)
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (plus more for serving)
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
• Butter for greasing the baking dish

Preparing the Casserole

Let’s get started on this delicious Blueberry French Toast Casserole! The first thing we need to do is prepare our ingredients and the baking dish.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that your casserole bakes evenly and comes out perfectly golden brown.
2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. This will help prevent the casserole from sticking and make for easier serving later on.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed French bread and fresh blueberries. Gently toss them together so that the blueberries are evenly distributed among the bread cubes. Set this aside for now.

Making the Custard Mixture

Now, let’s whip up the custard that will soak into our bread and blueberries, creating that rich, creamy texture we all love.

4. In another large bowl, crack the 6 large eggs and whisk them until they are well beaten.
5. Add in the 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream. Whisk these together until they are fully combined.
6. Next, add the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk everything together until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
7. Finally, stir in the 1/4 cup of maple syrup. This will add a lovely sweetness to the custard.

Combining the Bread and Custard

Now that we have our custard ready, it’s time to bring everything together.

8. Pour the custard mixture over the bread and blueberry mixture in the baking dish. Make sure to cover all the bread cubes evenly.
9. Using a spatula or your hands, gently press down on the bread cubes to ensure they soak up the custard. You want to make sure every piece of bread is saturated.
10. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and let it sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. If you have time, letting it sit in the refrigerator overnight will allow the flavors to meld even more.

Baking the Casserole

Once the casserole has soaked up all that delicious custard, it’s time to bake it!

11. Remove the cover from the baking dish and place it in the preheated oven.
12. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
13. Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This will help it set a bit more and make it easier to cut into squares.

Serving the Casserole

Now comes the best part—serving and enjoying this delightful dish!

14. Using a sharp knife, cut the casserole into squares and serve warm.
15. Drizzle with additional maple syrup for that extra touch of sweetness.
16. If you like, dust the top with powdered sugar for a beautiful presentation.
17. Feel free to add a dollop of whipped cream

    Conclusion:

    In summary, this Blueberry French Toast Casserole is an absolute must-try for anyone looking to elevate their breakfast game. The combination of fluffy bread soaked in a rich custard, paired with the sweet burst of blueberries, creates a delightful dish that is perfect for any occasion—be it a cozy family brunch or a festive holiday gathering. For serving suggestions, consider drizzling a warm maple syrup over the top or adding a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence. You can also experiment with variations by swapping out blueberries for other fruits like strawberries or peaches, or even adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor. I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this Blueberry French Toast Casserole a try. I promise it will become a favorite in your household! Once you’ve made it, I’d love to hear about your experience. Share your thoughts, any tweaks you made, or even a photo of your delicious creation. Let’s spread the joy of this delightful dish together! Print
    

    Blueberry French Toast Casserole: A Delicious and Easy Breakfast Recipe

    ---

    • Author: Dottie
    • Total Time: 75 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x

    Print Recipe

    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Enjoy a delicious Blueberry French Toast Casserole, featuring custard-soaked bread and fresh blueberries. Perfect for brunch or breakfast, this easy-to-make dish can be prepared ahead of time for a hassle-free morning treat.

    ---

    Ingredients

    Scale 1x2x3x

    • 1 loaf of day-old French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 2 cups fresh blueberries
    • 6 large eggs
    • 2 cups whole milk
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 cup maple syrup (plus more for serving)
    • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
    • Butter for greasing the baking dish

    ---

    Instructions

    “`html

    1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
    2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
    3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed French bread and fresh blueberries. Gently toss to distribute the blueberries evenly among the bread cubes. Set aside.
    4. In another large bowl, crack the 6 large eggs and whisk until well beaten.
    5. Add the 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream. Whisk until fully combined.
    6. Add the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
    7. Stir in the 1/4 cup of maple syrup.
    8. Pour the custard mixture over the bread and blueberry mixture in the baking dish, ensuring all bread cubes are covered.
    9. Gently press down on the bread cubes with a spatula or your hands to ensure they soak up the custard.
    10. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and let it sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. For best results, refrigerate overnight.
    11. Remove the cover from the baking dish and place it in the preheated oven.
    12. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. If browning too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes.
    13. Once baked, let the casserole cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
    14. Cut the casserole into squares and serve warm.
    15. Drizzle with additional maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar if desired. Optionally, add a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.

    “`

    Notes

    • For a richer flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the custard mixture.
    • This casserole can be prepared the night before and baked in the morning for a convenient breakfast option.

    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 45-55 minutes