If you’re on the hunt for a breakfast dish that’s bursting with warmth, sweetness, and a touch of elegance, this Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe is absolutely the one to try. It brings together the tender richness of day-old French bread and the vibrant juiciness of blueberries, all soaked in a luscious custard that bakes to golden perfection. This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser — perfect for leisurely weekend mornings or special occasions when you want an effortless yet impressive breakfast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe is wonderfully straightforward, yet each element plays a crucial role. From the creamy custard base to the crunchy sweet topping, every ingredient adds layers of flavor, texture, and inviting color that make this casserole irresistible.
- Day-old French bread (12 to 14 cups, 1-inch cubes): Using slightly stale bread ensures it soaks up the custard without turning mushy.
- Fresh or frozen blueberries (1 1/2 cups): Bursting with natural sweetness and tang, blueberries add a lovely pop of color.
- Large eggs (8): Provide the rich, silky custard base that binds everything together.
- Whole milk (2 cups): Adds creaminess for a tender, soft bake.
- Heavy cream (1/2 cup): Enhances the custard’s richness and depth.
- Granulated sugar (2/3 cup): Sweetens the custard for just the right balance.
- Light brown sugar, packed (1/4 cup): Adds subtle molasses notes and moistness to the custard.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Flavors the custard with a fragrant, warm sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Infuses the dish with comforting spice.
- Ground nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a hint of nutty warmth.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances and enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter, melted (2 tablespoons): Used for greasing the baking dish to ensure easy removal and add a touch of richness.
- All-purpose flour (1/4 cup): Creates the crumbly topping that gives a delightful crunch.
- Light brown sugar for topping (1/4 cup): Brings sweetness and caramelization to the topping.
- Cold unsalted butter, cubed (1/4 cup): Cut into the flour and sugar for a buttery, crisp topping.
How to Make Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bread and Blueberries
Start by greasing a 9×13 inch baking dish with the melted butter to prevent sticking while adding richness. Layer half of the cubed French bread evenly in the dish, then sprinkle half of the blueberries on top. Repeat by adding the remaining bread cubes and scattering the remaining blueberries over the top. This layering ensures even bursts of juicy blueberry goodness throughout the casserole.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This custard is the heart of the casserole, offering a luscious creaminess that soaks into the bread and perfectly complements the tangy blueberries.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Pour the custard evenly over the layered bread and blueberries. Gently press the bread down with a spatula or your hands so it absorbs the custard mixture thoroughly. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and pop it into the refrigerator to soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. This slow soak allows every cube to become infused with custard goodness, ensuring a tender, flavorful bite.
Step 4: Prepare the Topping and Bake
When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Combine the flour and brown sugar in a small bowl, then cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until coarse crumbs form. Sprinkle this crumbly topping evenly over the soaked casserole. Bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the center is set and the topping is a gorgeous golden brown. Let the casserole stand for about 10 minutes before slicing — this helps it firm up for perfect portions.
How to Serve Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
To take this casserole from delicious to dazzling, garnish it with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for a snowy, sweet finish or drizzle with pure maple syrup for that classic touch. Fresh mint leaves or a scattering of additional fresh blueberries make for a colorful, fresh touch that invites you in for another bite.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs beautifully with crispy bacon or savory sausage links to balance the sweetness and create a well-rounded breakfast spread. For lighter sides, serve alongside a fresh fruit salad or a dollop of Greek yogurt for tang and creaminess that complements the rich casserole.
Creative Ways to Present
Create a brunch centerpiece by baking the casserole in mini ramekins for elegant individual servings. Or layer it in a clear glass baking dish so guests can admire the beautiful swirls of blueberries and custard. For a festive celebration, add a handful of toasted pecans on top before baking for a crunchy, nutty surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe leftovers will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just cover tightly to preserve moisture and freshness without the topping becoming soggy.
Freezing
If you want to prepare in advance or save leftovers longer, this casserole freezes wonderfully. After baking, allow it to cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil before placing in the freezer. It can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through. Alternatively, microwave individual slices on medium power until warm, but baking helps maintain the crisp topping best.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries in the Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen blueberries work just as well and can be added directly from the freezer. This helps prevent excess moisture and keeps your casserole from getting soggy.
Do I have to use day-old bread?
Day-old bread is preferred because it’s drier and absorbs the custard without falling apart. If you only have fresh bread, you can toast it lightly to dry it out before using.
Can I make this casserole dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the milk and cream with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk and use dairy-free butter for greasing and topping. The texture might vary slightly but will still be delicious.
How long should the casserole soak before baking?
For the best texture, soak the casserole for at least 8 hours or overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, resulting in a moist and flavorful dish.
Can I add other fruits or nuts?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in sliced strawberries, raspberries, or chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor variations.
Final Thoughts
This Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe is a tried-and-true favorite for good reason. It’s easy to prepare ahead, filled with comforting flavors, and impressive enough to serve guests or treat yourself on a relaxing morning. I can’t wait for you to try it and enjoy how those juicy blueberries and tender custardy bread come together in every delicious bite!
Print
Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 9 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a delightful, make-ahead breakfast perfect for busy mornings or special brunches. Featuring cubes of day-old French bread soaked in a rich custard with fresh or frozen blueberries and warm spices, it bakes up golden and topped with a buttery crumbly topping. Easy to prepare the night before, this classic American breakfast casserole offers a perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and fruity flavors with a tender, custardy texture.
Ingredients
Base
- 1 loaf day old French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes (about 12 to 14 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Custard
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Other
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly with melted unsalted butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Layer the Bread and Blueberries: Spread half of the cubed bread evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bread. Add the remaining bread cubes on top and then the remaining blueberries, creating two layers of bread and berries.
- Make the Custard Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the custard evenly over the layered bread and berries. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula or your hands to help absorb the custard fully. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and the bread to soften.
- Prepare the Topping: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, combine the flour and light brown sugar for the topping. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold cubed butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Bake the Casserole: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and evenly sprinkle the crumb topping over it. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until the custard is set in the center, and the top is golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with optional maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness.
Notes
- Frozen blueberries can be used directly without thawing to prevent excess moisture from making the casserole soggy.
- For a brighter, more complex flavor, add 1 tablespoon of freshly grated lemon zest to the custard mixture before soaking the bread.
- Serve with maple syrup or a light dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness and presentation.
