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Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast Recipe

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3.9 from 33 reviews

This Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast is a luscious breakfast casserole featuring layers of brioche bread, creamy cream cheese, and fresh diced strawberries. The custard-soaked bread bakes to a golden perfection for a warm, sweet, and tangy dish perfect for a special brunch or holiday morning.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Bread and Filling

  • 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
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Topping

  • 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking dish and layering: Lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Place a layer of cubed brioche bread evenly into the dish. Distribute the cubed cream cheese and half of the diced strawberries evenly over the bread. Top with the remaining bread cubes to cover the filling completely.
  2. Make and pour the custard: In a large glass measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, whole milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and kosher salt until well combined. Pour this mixture evenly over the layered bread cubes, ensuring they are thoroughly soaked. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
  3. Bring to room temperature: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking.
  4. Bake the French toast casserole: Place the covered baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the cover and continue baking for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is firm and fully set.
  5. Serve with fresh strawberries and sugar: Once baked, serve immediately. Sprinkle the remaining fresh diced strawberries and confectioners’ sugar on top for a delightful finishing touch.

Notes

  • For best results, use brioche bread for its buttery texture and sweetness, but challah or another soft bread can be substituted.
  • Soaking the casserole overnight enhances flavor and texture, but a minimum of 2 hours is necessary for proper soaking.
  • You can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone or ricotta for a different creamy profile.
  • Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup or adding a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard mixture.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in a warm oven or microwave.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/baked-strawberries-and-cream-french-toast-recipe/