Dreamy Blueberry & Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

Heavenly Blueberry & Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

Weekends call for indulgent breakfast treats that bring comfort and joy to your morning routine.

This blueberry and cream cheese French toast casserole delivers pure culinary magic with its rich, creamy texture and burst of fruity goodness.

Layers of soft bread, silky cream cheese, and ripe blueberries create a decadent morning masterpiece that feels like dessert for breakfast.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, guaranteed to make everyone at the table swoon.

The recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary breakfast experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with this show-stopping morning delight that turns an ordinary breakfast into an unforgettable feast.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 8

Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Ingredients

For Bread Base:
  • Bread Cubes: Sturdy white bread provides delightful texture and absorbs the luscious custard perfectly. Day-old bread works best for optimal soaking.
  • Cream Cheese: Delivers rich, tangy pockets of creamy goodness throughout the casserole. Select full-fat cream cheese for maximum flavor.
For Custard Mixture:
  • Eggs: Creates silky binding foundation for the entire dish. Fresh, room-temperature eggs blend more smoothly.
  • Milk, Heavy Cream: Generates luxurious, velvety custard base with incredible depth. Whole milk ensures richness.
  • Sugar: Provides gentle sweetness and helps caramelize the top. Granulated white sugar dissolves most effectively.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertones that elevate the entire casserole. Pure vanilla delivers superior flavor.
  • Cinnamon: Introduces warm, comforting spice that complements blueberries beautifully. Fresh ground cinnamon offers more intense flavor.
For Streusel Topping and Finishing:
  • Flour, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon: Crafts crispy, crumbly topping with deep caramel notes. Dark brown sugar provides more robust flavor.
  • Cold Butter: Creates flaky, tender streusel with distinct layered texture. Unsalted butter allows better control of overall saltiness.
  • Blueberries: Bursts of juicy, bright fruit that add natural sweetness and color. Fresh or frozen work wonderfully.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides elegant, delicate finishing touch. Sifting creates more even coating.
  • Maple Syrup: Optional drizzle that introduces rich, woody sweet.

Gear to Bake That French Toast Right

  • 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for layering bread, cream cheese, and blueberries.
  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking custard ingredients together smoothly.
  • Medium mixing bowl: Used for preparing streusel topping ingredients.
  • Whisk: Crucial for blending eggs, milk, cream, and seasonings evenly.
  • Fork or pastry cutter: Helps mix butter into streusel topping.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Knife: Needed for cutting bread and cream cheese into cubes.

How to Make This Berry-Packed Breakfast Bake

  • Create Casserole Base

Grab a baking dish and lightly coat it with cooking spray. Layer half the bread pieces across the bottom. Dot cream cheese chunks and sprinkle fresh blueberries over the bread. Cover with remaining bread and blueberries.

  • Whip Up Creamy Custard

In a large mixing bowl, blend eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth. Pour this dreamy mixture evenly over the bread, gently pressing to ensure every piece gets soaked. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for minimum 2 hours or overnight.

  • Craft Crumbly Topping

Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Work cold butter into the dry ingredients using your fingers until the mixture looks like rough pebbles. Keep refrigerated until needed.

  • Bake To Golden Perfection

Heat oven to 350F. Pull casserole from refrigerator and let sit for 20 minutes. Scatter the crumbly topping across the surface. Slide into the oven and bake 45-50 minutes until top turns golden and custard sets.

  • Serve With Flair

Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and add maple syrup or whipped cream if desired.

Variations to Sweeten Your Breakfast Casserole

  • Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, keeping it tightly covered in the refrigerator for stress-free morning preparation.
  • Replace heavy cream and milk with almond or oat milk, and use dairy-free cream cheese for a lactose-sensitive friendly version.
  • Experiment with mixed berries like raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries to create a vibrant and colorful breakfast casserole.
  • Use gluten-free bread cubes and swap regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend in the streusel topping for celiac-friendly adaptation.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, reheating best in the oven at 325F for 15-20 minutes to maintain the crispy streusel texture.

How to Serve It Warm and Beautiful

  • Brunch Masterpiece: Serve this stunning French toast casserole as the star of your weekend gathering, impressing guests with its elegant presentation and delicious layers.
  • Cozy Morning Delight: Pair the casserole with crispy bacon or sausage links to create a balanced breakfast that satisfies both sweet and savory cravings.
  • Sweet Finishing Touch: Garnish with fresh blueberries, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, and a drizzle of warm maple syrup to elevate the dish's visual appeal and flavor profile.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole the night before, then simply pop it in the oven for a stress-free, delectable breakfast that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.

Save It for Later Without Losing Flavor

  • Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
  • Assemble the entire casserole the night before serving, keeping it covered in the refrigerator. This method allows flavors to meld beautifully and saves precious morning preparation time.
  • Wrap the unbaked casserole securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to cooking time if needed.
  • Cut cooled casserole into single servings, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for quick, convenient breakfasts throughout the week.
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Dreamy Blueberry & Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

Dreamy Blueberry & Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe


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4.8 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Sweet morning magic happens when Blueberry & Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole arrives at breakfast. Comforting layers of bread, creamy cheese, and juicy blueberries create a dreamy morning experience you’ll savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (300 g) blueberries, fresh or frozen
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, cut into small cubes
  • 8 large eggs
  • 1 loaf (about 1 lb / 450 g) French bread or brioche, cubed
  • 2 cups (480 ml) milk
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Casserole Base Setup: Thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, layering bread cubes, cream cheese cubes, and blueberries in strategic alternating sections to ensure even distribution throughout the dish.
  2. Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon into a smooth, well-incorporated liquid mixture, gently pouring over bread layers and pressing softly to guarantee complete absorption.
  3. Streusel Preparation: Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then incorporate cold butter using a pastry cutter until the mixture transforms into rustic, crumbly texture resembling coarse sand.
  4. Chilling and Resting: Refrigerate assembled casserole for minimum 2 hours or overnight, allowing flavors to meld and bread to thoroughly soak in custard mixture.
  5. Baking Process: Remove casserole from refrigerator, allowing 20 minutes of room temperature rest, then sprinkle prepared streusel evenly across surface. Slide into preheated 350F oven, baking 45-50 minutes until golden brown and custard sets completely.
  6. Serving Presentation: Allow casserole to cool 10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar and optionally accompany with maple syrup or whipped cream for enhanced indulgence.

Notes

  • Choose day-old or slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for better absorption of custard and enhanced texture.
  • Cut cream cheese into small, uniform cubes to ensure even melting and consistent flavor throughout the casserole.
  • Refrigerating the casserole overnight allows bread to fully absorb custard, creating a more cohesive and luxurious dish with deeper flavors.
  • Place a baking sheet underneath the casserole dish while baking to ensure even heat distribution and avoid undercooked or soggy bottom layers.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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