If you’re looking to brighten up your breakfast table with a dish that feels like a warm hug, this Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe is pure magic. Imagine layers of tender, custardy bread mingling with juicy, vibrant berries, all baked to golden perfection, topped with a buttery crumb topping that adds just the right crunch. It’s a breakfast everyone will rave about, perfect for cozy weekend mornings or special occasions when you want to impress without stress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Bringing this Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe to life is wonderfully simple, thanks to a handful of everyday ingredients that each play a starring role. From the rich custard that soaks the bread to the fresh burst of mixed berries, every component adds its own texture, flavor, and color—creating a balanced and inviting breakfast masterpiece.
- Day-old bread (brioche, challah, or French bread): Firm, slightly stale bread soaks up the custard perfectly without falling apart.
- Mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries): Provides a sweet and tart freshness with beautiful pops of color throughout the casserole.
- Large eggs: The foundation of the custard, giving it richness and helping it set beautifully.
- Milk (whole or 2%): Adds creaminess and balances the custard’s texture.
- Heavy cream: Elevates the custard’s richness for a velvety smooth bite.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the custard and crumb topping for perfectly balanced flavors.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses warmth and a hint of sweetness that ties the flavors together.
- Cinnamon: Adds a subtle spice that complements the berries and sweet bread.
- All-purpose flour: Essential for creating the buttery crumb topping that adds texture.
- Unsalted butter, cold and cubed: Combines with flour and sugar to make a lusciously crisp topping.
- Powdered sugar: A light dusting for finishing touches and extra sweetness.
- Maple syrup: The classic drizzle that brings the whole dish together beautifully.
How to Make Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bread and Berries
Start by cubing your day-old bread into bite-sized pieces, making sure it’s all roughly the same size for even soaking. Layer the cubed bread in your casserole dish and sprinkle the mixed berries evenly on top—this layering ensures every bite gets a delicious berry surprise.
Step 2: Make the Custard Mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until fully combined and silky-smooth. This custard will soak into the bread, transforming it into a rich and tender treat packed with flavor.
Step 3: Assemble and Refrigerate Overnight
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and berries, pressing down gently to help the bread absorb all that creamy goodness. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or even overnight, giving the flavors time to meld and the bread time to soak deeply.
Step 4: Prepare the Crumb Topping
Just before baking, mix together flour, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This topping will bake into a golden, buttery crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft casserole underneath.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven and sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the soaked casserole. Bake until the custard is set and the topping is golden brown and crisp, about 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the edges are bubbly and the middle feels firm when gently pressed.
How to Serve Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of charm and flavor, dust the casserole lightly with powdered sugar right before serving. Add a few fresh berries on top for a fresh, colorful finish. A drizzle of warm maple syrup rounds out the flavors and adds a lovely sweetness that everyone will appreciate.
Side Dishes
This Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe stands beautifully on its own but pairs wonderfully with crispy bacon or sausage for savory contrast. A simple green salad or fresh fruit salad can also brighten the meal for those looking to add more fresh bites to their plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your casserole family-style on a large platter to show off those vibrant berries and crumbly topping or dish it out in rustic ramekins for individual servings that feel extra special. You can even sprinkle some toasted nuts or a dollop of whipped cream on top for a bit of indulgence and texture.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The casserole tastes great cold or warmed up, making it a convenient breakfast or snack option.
Freezing
If you want to make this Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe ahead for busy mornings, you can freeze the assembled casserole (before baking) wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to 1 month. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and then bake as usual.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, about 1-2 minutes, or warm a larger portion in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes. This helps restore some crispness to the crumb topping.
FAQs
Can I use fresh bread instead of day-old bread?
Day-old bread works best for this Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe because it’s slightly dried out and can soak up the custard without turning mushy. If you only have fresh bread, you can dry it out in the oven for a few minutes beforehand.
Which berries work best in this casserole?
A mix of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries creates a lovely balance of sweetness and tartness. Feel free to use just one type if you prefer, but a combination gives the dish more color and depth.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use your favorite plant-based milk like almond or oat milk and substitute dairy-free butter in the crumb topping. The casserole will still be rich and delicious with these swaps.
Is it okay to prepare the casserole the night before?
Yes! In fact, refrigerating the Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe overnight helps the flavors meld and the bread soak better, giving you a more luscious final dish.
How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?
The casserole is done when the custard is set and no longer jiggly in the middle, the topping is golden brown, and the edges are bubbly. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few soft crumbs.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about waking up to a warm, berry-studded French toast casserole that tastes like it was made with love. This Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe is a personal favorite for good reason— it’s easy to prepare, bursting with flavor, and perfect for sharing with family and friends. Give it a try and watch it become a staple in your breakfast rotation as well!
Print
Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 65 minutes (including soaking time)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Berry French Toast Casserole is a decadent and delightful brunch dish featuring cubed day-old bread soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla custard, layered with juicy mixed berries, and topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup for an irresistible start to your day.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 1 loaf day-old bread (brioche, challah, or French bread), cubed
- 2 cups mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries)
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
To Serve:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Maple syrup, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread and Berries: Cube the day-old bread into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Rinse and gently pat dry the mixed berries so they’re ready to layer into the casserole.
- Make the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble the Casserole: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half of the cubed bread evenly. Sprinkle half of the mixed berries over the bread. Repeat with the remaining bread and berries, creating two layers.
- Pour the Custard: Slowly pour the custard mixture over the layered bread and berries, pressing down gently to ensure the bread soaks up the custard.
- Chill to Soak: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight. This soak allows the bread to absorb the custard fully, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Prepare the Streusel Topping: Before baking, mix together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the cold, cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture is crumbly.
- Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) about 30 minutes before baking.
- Add Topping and Bake: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator, sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top, and bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the custard is set and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 10-15 minutes after baking. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with a generous drizzle of maple syrup.
Notes
- Using day-old bread ensures the casserole doesn’t become too mushy during soaking.
- Feel free to customize the berries based on seasonality or preference.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and cream with almond or oat milk and use a vegan butter alternative for the streusel.
- This casserole can be assembled the night before and baked fresh in the morning.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
