Waking up to the smell of warm maple syrup and bubbling fruit is the only way to start a lazy Sunday in our house; and this Blueberry French Toast Casserole is the "purple breakfast cake" Max begs for. We love how the tart, juicy blueberries burst into the rich, custardy bread; turning a standard French toast breakfast into a scoopable, comforting bake that feeds the whole family. It is our favorite family habit for holidays or slow weekends because we can prep it the night before and just pop it in the oven while the coffee brews.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Blueberry French Toast Casserole
- How To Make Blueberry French Toast Casserole
- What Pairs Well With Blueberry French Toast Casserole
- Blueberry French Toast Casserole Variations
- Equipment
- Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
- Top Tips for Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole
- Blueberry French Toast Casserole FAQs
- A Breakfast Bake Everyone Requests
- Related
- Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole
Why You Will Love This Blueberry French Toast Casserole
This dish offers a perfect balance of crispy, golden edges and a soft, pudding-like center; providing a satisfying texture that is both visually stunning and incredibly indulgent. It is an effortless way to serve a crowd without standing over a griddle flipping individual slices, working as a showstopper for Christmas Breakfast Recipe spreads or a simple Easy Brunch.
How To Make Blueberry French Toast Casserole
The Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a modern, fuss-free twist on the classic stovetop method; featuring cubed bread soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla custard and studded with berries. This specific version uses a mix of baked-in berries for jammy pockets of flavor and fresh berries on top for a pop of freshness. Originally inspired by Overnight blueberry French toast taste of Home styles, this recipe has been refined in our kitchen to ensure the bottom never gets soggy while the top stays perfectly crisp.
Blueberry French Toast Casserole Ingredients
The Base
- 1 loaf (1 lb) Brioche or French bread (cubed into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 cups Fresh blueberries (divided for baking and topping)
- 8 large Eggs
- 2 cups Whole milk
- ½ cup Heavy cream
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
The Topping & Garnish
- ¼ cup Brown sugar (for sprinkling before baking)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Maple syrup (warmed, for serving)
- Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)
Step by Step Method
Prep the bread
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter. Place the cubed bread into the dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Scatter one cup of the blueberries throughout the bread cubes, tucking some inside so they create purple swirls when baked.
Whisk the custard
- Combine the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and pale yellow.
Soak and rest
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure every piece is submerged and soaking up the liquid.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) to allow the bread to absorb the flavor.
Bake to perfection
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the top of the casserole for a crunchy crust.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is puffed and golden brown.
Garnish and serve
- Top with the remaining fresh blueberries, a heavy dusting of powdered sugar, and a sprig of fresh mint.
- Drizzle generously with warm maple syrup right before serving or on individual plates.
MAX’S REACTION
"Mom, look at the purple juice coming out! It tastes like a blueberry muffin and a pancake got married!"
What Pairs Well With Blueberry French Toast Casserole
I usually serve this sweet casserole with a side of savory bacon or sausage to balance the sugar. If you are hosting a full brunch buffet, it pairs beautifully with the savory crunch of Pizza Hut Cheese Sticks (a fun savory appetizer twist) or alongside our festive Valentine's Banana Bread. For a dessert-like addition to the table, our Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes match the fruity theme perfectly.
Blueberry French Toast Casserole Variations
Blueberry French Toast Casserole With Cream Cheese
Cut 8 ounces of cream cheese into small cubes and tuck them in with the bread before baking for pockets of cheesecake-like richness.
Healthy Blueberry French Toast Casserole
Use whole wheat bread, swap the sugar for maple syrup or honey in the custard, and use almond milk to lighten up the dish without losing moisture.
Blueberry Baked French Toast Pioneer Woman Style
Add a crumb topping made of flour, butter, and brown sugar before baking for a sweet, streusel-like crunch on top.
Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole
This is the ultimate Make-ahead blueberry French toast casserole. Prepare the entire dish the night before, keep it in the fridge, and bake it fresh in the morning for a stress-free breakfast.
Equipment
- 9x13 Baking Dish (Glass or Ceramic)
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Mom Tip: If you notice the top of the casserole browning too quickly before the center is set, loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking. This ensures a fully cooked custard without burnt bread tips!
Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
Storage Tips That Keep It Fresh
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- This casserole freezes well! Slice into individual squares, wrap in plastic, and freeze for up to two months.
Make Ahead Strategy
- Assemble the casserole completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Remove it from the fridge 20 minutes before baking to take the chill off the glass dish.
Reheating Instructions
- Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 45-60 seconds or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Top Tips for Best Blueberry French Toast Casserole
The absolute secret to that soft, custard-like texture seen in the photo is using the right bread. Brioche or Challah are best because they are rich and egg-based, allowing them to soak up the liquid without disintegrating. Don't skimp on the soak time! Letting the bread rest in the custard is what transforms it from "wet bread" to a cohesive, pudding-like cake.
Blueberry French Toast Casserole FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes, but do not thaw them first, or they will bleed too much into the batter, turning the whole casserole gray. Add them in frozen.
Why is my casserole soggy?
This happens if there is too much liquid for the amount of bread. Make sure you use a dense, sturdy bread and measure your milk carefully.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Absolutely. Swap the milk and cream for full-fat oat milk or coconut milk for a rich, dairy-free alternative.
A Breakfast Bake Everyone Requests
Serving up this golden, berry-filled dish is my favorite way to bring the family together on a Sunday morning. If you enjoyed this sweet win, you should try our Valentine's Banana Bread for another fruity baked treat. For a fun, bite-sized breakfast option, nothing beats our Strawberry Cream Cheese Heart Danishes.
Share your Blueberry French Toast Casserole! Tag us @HannahCooking with #BlueberryFrenchToastCasserole; we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!
⭐️ Rate this Blueberry French Toast Casserole recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!
Related
Looking for other recipes like Blueberry French Toast Casserole? Try these:
- Chocolate Protein Donuts22 Minutes
- Oreo Fudge Brownie Pizza45 Minutes
- The Best Protein Bars15 Minutes
- Strawberry Shortcake Fluff Salad15 Minutes
Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Baking dish (9x13 inch)
- 1 Whisk (For custard)
- 1 Mixing bowl (Large)
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Brioche bread - Cubed
- 2 cups Blueberries - Fresh or frozen
- 8 large Eggs - Room temp
- 2 cups Whole milk - Or almond milk
- ½ cup Heavy cream - For richness
- ½ cup Sugar - Granulated
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon - Ground
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla - Extract
- ¼ cup Maple syrup - For serving
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13 baking dish and arrange bread cubes and half the blueberries inside.
- Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth.
- Pour custard over bread, press down, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and sprinkle brown sugar over the top.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until golden brown and set in the center.
- Top with fresh blueberries, powdered sugar, and mint. Serve with warm syrup.
Leave a Reply