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Easy Patriotic French Toast Casserole Overnight Recipe for Perfect Breakfast

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A festive and cozy French toast casserole layered with cinnamon-spiced custard and fresh berries, perfect for a slow holiday morning or casual brunch. Easy to prepare the night before and bake in the morning for a crowd-pleasing breakfast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups cubed brioche or challah bread (day-old bread works best)
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half (dairy-free milk optional)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 cup blueberries, washed and dried
  • 1 cup sliced strawberries, washed and dried
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting before serving)

Instructions

  1. Cube about 8 cups of brioche or challah bread into roughly 1-inch pieces. If bread is fresh, toast cubes lightly in the oven at 300°F for 10 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt until smooth and slightly frothy.
  3. Place bread cubes in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour custard evenly over bread, pressing down gently to help soak the bread without stirring too much.
  4. Scatter 1 cup blueberries and 1 cup sliced strawberries evenly over the soaked bread.
  5. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove cover and dot the top with 2 tablespoons melted butter.
  7. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes until the top is puffed, golden, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Tent with foil if edges brown too fast.
  8. Let rest 5-10 minutes after baking. Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve warm.

Notes

Use day-old bread or lightly toast fresh bread cubes to prevent sogginess. Avoid overmixing custard and bread to maintain texture pockets. Wash and dry berries thoroughly to avoid excess moisture. Tent casserole with foil if browning too fast. Refrigerate overnight for best custard soak and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: French toast casserole, patriotic breakfast, overnight casserole, berry breakfast, brunch recipe, easy breakfast casserole, cinnamon custard, holiday breakfast

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/easy-patriotic-french-toast-casserole-overnight-recipe-for-perfect-breakfast/