Description
Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast dish featuring custardy brioche bread layered with fresh blueberries and a hint of lemon. Prepared ahead of time and baked to golden perfection, it’s perfect for serving a crowd with a touch of maple syrup or powdered sugar.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Fruit
- 16 ounces brioche bread
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
Custard Mixture
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ⅔ cup lightly packed light brown sugar
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cube Bread and Layer: Slice the brioche bread into 1-inch cubes using a serrated knife. Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bread. Add the remaining bread cubes on top, then finish with the remaining blueberries, evenly distributing them.
- Mix Lemon Sugar: In a large bowl, add the lemon zest and light brown sugar. Use your fingertips to rub the zest into the sugar until fragrant and well combined.
- Make Custard: To the lemon sugar mixture, add the eggs, whole milk, melted and cooled butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Combine and Refrigerate: Slowly pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread and blueberries. Cover the pan tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours to allow the custard to soak into the bread.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F and remove the casserole from the fridge, allowing it to come to room temperature while the oven warms.
- Bake Covered: Place the covered baking dish in the oven and bake for 45 minutes to cook the custard and soften the bread.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the french toast casserole is puffed, golden, and the custard center is cooked through.
- Serve: Serve warm topped with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness and presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen blueberries; if using frozen, do not thaw to prevent excess moisture.
- Letting the casserole soak in the fridge overnight enhances flavor and texture.
- Try substituting brioche with challah or another rich bread for similar results.
- Ensure melted butter is cooled before mixing in to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
- Serve with additional toppings like whipped cream or chopped nuts for extra texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (without syrup)
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 296 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 211 mg
