Description
This Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast is a luscious breakfast casserole combining layers of brioche bread, cream cheese, and fresh strawberries soaked in a sweet egg and maple syrup mixture. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a creamy, fruity, and comforting start to your day, perfect for a weekend brunch or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) loaf brioche bread, cubed
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
- 1 pound strawberries, diced and divided
Custard Mixture
- 12 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups whole milk
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Topping
- 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking during baking. Layer half of the cubed brioche bread evenly across the dish. Next, distribute the cubed cream cheese and half of the diced strawberries evenly over the bread layer. Cover this with the remaining bread cubes, ensuring the filling is completely covered.
- Mix Custard: In a large glass measuring cup or a separate bowl, thoroughly whisk together the beaten eggs, whole milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and kosher salt until fully combined to create the custard mixture.
- Soak Bread and Refrigerate: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread layers in the baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
- Preheat Oven and Rest Dish: About 30 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature to take the chill off.
- Bake Covered: Place the baking dish covered (with foil or lid) in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes to set the custard and start cooking the bread evenly.
- Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the cover and continue to bake for another 25-30 minutes. This will allow the top to become golden brown and the center to firm up without being soggy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the casserole with the remaining diced strawberries and a tablespoon of confectioners’ sugar for a touch of sweetness and decoration. Serve warm for best taste.
Notes
- For best results, use day-old brioche bread to better absorb the custard without becoming too mushy.
- You can prepare this casserole the night before and bake fresh in the morning for a convenient breakfast.
- Substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a richer flavor.
- Maple syrup can be replaced with honey or agave syrup as alternatives.
- Adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard mixture can enhance the flavor.
- Covering the casserole while baking traps moisture, creating a creamier texture, while uncovering allows the top to brown beautifully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 240mg
