Blueberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
This Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a delightful breakfast or brunch dish featuring a custardy baked French bread base studded with juicy blueberries and infused with warm cinnamon and vanilla flavors. Easy to prepare ahead, it offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy with a golden, tender texture, ideal for family mornings or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf of French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 12 cups)
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup maple syrup, or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
- Butter, for greasing
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 9x13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cube the bread: Cut the French bread into 1-inch cubes, ensuring you have about 12 cups of bread cubes for the casserole base.
- Mix custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the 8 eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon lemon zest (if using), 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon salt until well combined and smooth.
- Assemble casserole: Place half of the bread cubes evenly into the buttered baking dish. Sprinkle half of the blueberries evenly over the bread. Repeat the layers with the remaining bread cubes and blueberries.
- Pour custard over bread: Slowly pour the custard mixture over the layered bread and blueberries, pressing down gently to help the bread soak up the custard.
- Rest before baking: Let the casserole sit for about 15 to 20 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard fully for a soft and tender bake.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm, optionally drizzled with extra maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
- You can prepare this casserole the night before by assembling it, covering, and refrigerating; then bake it fresh in the morning.
- Use fresh or frozen blueberries. If using frozen, do not thaw them before adding.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk and use a vegan egg replacer.
- Add a crunchy topping by sprinkling chopped nuts or streusel on top before baking.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup according to your preference.
