If you are searching for a cozy, crowd-pleasing breakfast that combines richness, sweetness, and a fresh fruity burst, the Strawberries & Cream French Toast Casserole Recipe is your perfect match. Imagine layers of soft challah bread soaking up a luscious custard, creamy pockets of sweetened cream cheese, and juicy strawberries that bake to tender perfection, all crowned with a buttery, cinnamon-spiced crumb topping. This dish brings together simple ingredients into an unforgettable brunch centerpiece that feels indulgent yet incredibly comforting. Whether you’re feeding a family or impressing guests, this recipe hits all the right notes every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the secret to nailing this Strawberries & Cream French Toast Casserole Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role, from the richness of the cream cheese to the bright freshness of the strawberries, and even the golden crunch of the topping. These simple elements combine seamlessly to create layers of flavor and texture you’ll adore.
- Challah or brioche bread: These soft, slightly sweet breads soak up custard beautifully without falling apart.
- Fresh strawberries: Their natural juiciness balances the creamy custard and adds a vibrant color.
- Cream cheese: Adds a luscious, tangy richness that melts into little pockets of flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard and cream cheese mixture perfectly without overpowering.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the ingredients with its warm, fragrant aroma.
- Eggs: The foundation of the custard, binding everything together with a silky texture.
- Milk and heavy cream: Create a rich, creamy custard base that soaks into the bread.
- Maple syrup: Infuses the custard with a subtle, natural sweetness and depth.
- All-purpose flour: Essential for the crumb topping’s structure and slight crispiness.
- Brown sugar: Adds caramel notes and moisture to the topping.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and spice that complements strawberries beautifully.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Cold butter creates a tender, flaky texture in the crumb topping.
How to Make Strawberries & Cream French Toast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Base Layers
Start by greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Then create the foundation by layering half of the cubed challah or brioche bread evenly across the dish, followed by half the sliced strawberries. This layering ensures every bite has a nice balance of bread and fruit.
Step 2: Add Cream Cheese Dollops
In a medium bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Then dollop spoonfuls of this luscious mixture over the strawberries and bread layer. These little pockets of cream cheese will melt slightly during baking, adding delightful bursts of creaminess.
Step 3: Add the Rest of the Bread and Strawberries
Top the cream cheese layer with the remaining bread cubes and strawberries. This creates alternating layers of bread, fruit, and cream cheese that soak up the custard beautifully, resulting in a flavorful, creamy texture throughout the casserole.
Step 4: Pour the Custard Mixture
Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, and maple syrup in a large bowl until combined. Pour this rich custard evenly over the layered bread and strawberries. Press down gently on the top to encourage the bread to soak up the custard deeply, which will make the casserole tender and luscious after baking.
Step 5: Prepare the Crumb Topping
In a small bowl, mix together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Then cut in cold pieces of butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this crumbly topping evenly over the custard-soaked casserole. The butter-rich topping will bake into a golden, crunchy contrast to the soft custard beneath.
Step 6: Chill Before Baking
Cover the prepared casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. This step allows the bread to fully absorb the custard and flavor from the cream cheese and strawberries, making the final dish wonderfully rich and cohesive.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature while the oven heats. Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the center is set but still moist. Let it cool slightly before serving to allow flavors to settle.
How to Serve Strawberries & Cream French Toast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle fresh strawberry slices and a dusting of powdered sugar on top for a pretty presentation. A drizzle of warm maple syrup or a spoonful of whipped cream makes an irresistible finishing touch, adding extra sweetness and creaminess.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs beautifully with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for a savory balance. Fresh fruit salad or a green smoothie also add brightness, making your brunch spread colorful and well-rounded.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, serve the casserole in individual ramekins with a strawberry on top. Or layer it in a trifle dish to showcase the colorful layers. You can even add a drizzle of chocolate or sprinkle toasted nuts for added texture and flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The casserole tastes fantastic cold or reheated, making it easy to enjoy later without losing flavor or texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the fully assembled casserole (before baking) after layering and topping with crumb mixture. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.
Reheating
Reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 1 to 2 minutes or until warm. For the best texture, reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes to refresh the crunchy topping and creamy interior.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, but be sure to thaw and drain frozen strawberries well to avoid excess moisture, which could make the casserole soggy. Fresh strawberries give the best texture and flavor, though.
Can I prepare this casserole the morning of serving?
The casserole needs at least 2 hours in the fridge for the custard to soak in, so preparing it the night before is ideal. But morning prep works if you allow enough chilling time before baking.
Is there a substitute for challah or brioche?
You can use any soft, sturdy bread like white sandwich bread or French bread, but challah and brioche provide a richer flavor and softer texture due to their egg and butter content.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a gluten-free bread and substitute the all-purpose flour in the crumb topping with a gluten-free flour blend. It will still be delicious.
How do I know when the casserole is fully baked?
The topping should be golden and slightly crisp, and the center should feel set but still moist. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
Final Thoughts
There really is nothing quite like waking up to a warm, fragrant batch of this Strawberries & Cream French Toast Casserole Recipe. It’s a dish that brings joy with every bite—comforting yet bright, rich but fresh, and perfectly shareable with those you love. I promise once you try it, it’ll become your go-to recipe for special mornings and brunch celebrations alike. So grab those strawberries and challah, and get ready for a sweet start to your day!
Print
Strawberries & Cream French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus 2 hours to overnight chilling
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Strawberries & Cream French Toast Casserole is a delightful breakfast dish featuring layers of soft challah or brioche bread, fresh strawberries, and a creamy cream cheese mixture, all soaked in a rich custard and topped with a buttery cinnamon crumb topping. Baked until golden and bubbly, it offers a perfect combination of fruity sweetness and creamy indulgence, ideal for a comforting weekend brunch or special occasion.
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 1 loaf challah or brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
For the Topping
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking. Layer half of the cubed challah or brioche bread evenly in the bottom of the dish, then spread half of the sliced strawberries on top of the bread layer.
- Make the cream cheese mixture: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Drop spoonfuls of this cream cheese mixture evenly over the strawberries and bread in the dish.
- Add remaining bread and strawberries: Place the remaining bread cubes over the cream cheese layer, followed by the remaining sliced strawberries, creating a layered effect.
- Prepare the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, and maple syrup until fully combined. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the layered bread and strawberries. Press down gently on the bread to help it absorb the custard evenly.
- Make the crumb topping: In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold, small pieces of butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle this crumb topping evenly over the custard-soaked casserole.
- Chill the casserole: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the casserole for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight. This step helps the bread absorb the custard fully for a perfect texture.
- Preheat the oven and prepare to bake: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while you preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake until golden and set: Bake the casserole uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is fully set. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving to let the custard firm up slightly.
Notes
- You can substitute challah or brioche with other rich, soft bread like Hawaiian bread or Texas toast if preferred.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top before serving.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Refrigerating overnight enhances the custard absorption, but at least 2 hours is sufficient if short on time.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead, making it a convenient option for holiday mornings or brunch gatherings.
