Description
This Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast is a luscious twist on the classic breakfast favorite. Cubed brioche soaked in a creamy mixture of eggs, milk, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla, topped with fresh strawberries, and baked to golden perfection. Perfectly tender with a sweet fruity flair, this recipe serves six and makes for a delightful morning treat or weekend brunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf of brioche bread, cubed
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Butter for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking temperature for the French toast casserole.
- Grease Dish: Generously butter a baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor to your baked French toast.
- Prepare Bread Base: Place the cubed brioche bread evenly in the greased baking dish, forming the base layer for the casserole.
- Add Strawberries: Spread the sliced fresh strawberries evenly over the cubed brioche, distributing the fruit for balanced sweetness in every bite.
- Mix Custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until a smooth custard forms.
- Combine: Pour the prepared custard mixture evenly over the bread and strawberries in the baking dish, ensuring all pieces are well soaked.
- Soak: Allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for 15 minutes, giving the bread time to absorb the custard for a moist, flavorful result.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the baked French toast warm, optionally with extra strawberries or maple syrup.
Notes
- Using brioche bread adds a rich, buttery flavor and absorbs the custard beautifully.
- Softened cream cheese can be beaten beforehand for easier mixing into the custard.
- Letting the bread soak for 15 minutes ensures a custardy, tender texture inside.
- You can substitute cream cheese with mascarpone for a slightly different creaminess.
- To make ahead, prepare the dish, cover with foil, refrigerate overnight, and bake fresh in the morning.
- Optional toppings include powdered sugar, whipped cream, or maple syrup.
- Keep an eye on the baking time to avoid drying out; the custard should be set but moist.
