Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

This Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole transforms ordinary breakfast into something extraordinary. With chunks of bread soaked in a sweet custard, dollops of creamy cheesecake-like filling, and a crisp brown sugar topping, it’s the perfect make-ahead dish for holiday mornings, weekend brunches, or whenever you want to make breakfast feel special. Prep it the night before and wake up to an amazing meal that will have everyone rushing to the table!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep this casserole the night before and simply bake it in the morning – perfect for busy holidays or lazy weekends when you want something special without the morning rush.
• Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of custardy french toast, cream cheese pockets, and crumbly topping satisfies everyone from kids to adults. It’s like having french toast, cheesecake, and coffee cake all in one dish!
• Impressive Yet Simple: Despite looking and tasting like something from a fancy brunch restaurant, this recipe uses straightforward ingredients and techniques that even novice bakers can handle with confidence.
• Versatile: Works beautifully for breakfast, brunch, or even dessert – just adjust your toppings accordingly. Plus, it scales up for crowds or down for smaller gatherings.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• French bread, sourdough, or challah: The foundation of your casserole – day-old, slightly crusty bread works best as it soaks up the custard without becoming soggy. Let it sit out uncovered for a day for ideal texture.
• Cream cheese: Provides those heavenly pockets of cheesecake-like goodness throughout the casserole. Go for full-fat brick-style cream cheese for the best flavor and texture.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture just enough without making it too sweet. Don’t skip this ingredient – it balances the tanginess of the cream cheese perfectly.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to both the cream cheese mixture and the custard. Pure vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
• Eggs: Creates the custard base that transforms the bread into french toast. They provide structure and richness.
• Whole milk: Pairs with the eggs to create a luxurious custard. The fat content in whole milk gives the dish its creamy texture.
• Cinnamon: Adds that classic warm spice flavor that makes french toast irresistible.
• Brown sugar: Adds caramel notes to the custard and creates a sweet crust where it touches the pan.
• Butter: Essential for the crumb topping, creating those perfect crunchy bits that contrast with the soft casserole.
• Flour: Works with butter and sugar to create the streusel-like topping.

Variations

Fruit Additions

Add 1 cup of fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries) scattered over the cream cheese layer for pops of color and fruity flavor. Thinly sliced apples or pears tossed with cinnamon also work beautifully in fall.

Flavor Twists

Add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract to the custard mixture and sprinkle sliced almonds into the crumb topping for an almond-infused version. Or incorporate 1 tablespoon of orange zest into the custard for a citrusy brightness.

Decadent Add-Ins

Scatter 1/2 cup chocolate chips among the bread cubes for a chocolate lover’s version. White chocolate and dried cranberries make a festive holiday variation.

Savory-Sweet Direction

Add a pinch of nutmeg and a dash of bourbon to the custard for a nog-inspired breakfast casserole perfect for the holidays.

How to Make Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Bread and Pan

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Cut your day-old bread into 1-inch cubes (you’ll need about 12 cups). Spread half of the bread cubes in an even layer in the prepared baking dish.

Step 2: Create the Cream Cheese Mixture

Beat the softened cream cheese until completely smooth using a mixer. Add confectioners’ sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, mixing until well combined. Drop spoonfuls of this mixture randomly over the bread layer, keeping some spots exposed for a marbled effect.

Step 3: Add Remaining Bread and Prepare Custard

Scatter the remaining bread cubes over the cream cheese layer. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and remaining vanilla until smooth with no sugar lumps. Pour this custard evenly over the bread, making sure all pieces get soaked.

Step 4: Refrigerate

Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or overnight (preferred). This resting time allows the bread to fully absorb the custard.

Step 5: Prepare Crumb Topping

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut in cold cubed butter using a pastry blender or forks until crumbly. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the soaked bread.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft. The casserole will continue to set as it cools slightly.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• The Bread Matters: Truly day-old bread makes a difference – fresh bread can become too soggy. If you only have fresh bread, cube it and let it sit uncovered for several hours or lightly toast it.
• Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened to avoid lumps. Take it out of the refrigerator at least an hour before using.
• Balanced Soaking: Aim for at least 8 hours of soaking time if possible. Too short and the bread won’t absorb enough custard; too long (over 24 hours) and it might become too soggy.
• Even Distribution: When pouring the custard, try to do so slowly and evenly, ensuring all bread pieces get moisture without creating pools in certain areas.
• Checking Doneness: The casserole should be set around the edges but still have a slight jiggle in the center when done. It will continue firming up as it cools.

How to Serve

This baked french toast casserole truly shines with thoughtful serving options:

Toppings:

A light dusting of powdered sugar creates a beautiful presentation. Warm maple syrup served on the side lets everyone add their preferred amount of sweetness. Fresh berries scattered over the top add color and freshness.

Accompaniments:

Balance the sweetness with savory sides like crispy bacon or breakfast sausage. A fresh fruit salad provides a light, refreshing contrast to the rich casserole.

Beverages:

Coffee with cream matches the richness of the dish perfectly. For special occasions, mimosas or a spiced hot apple cider complement the warm cinnamon flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make Ahead

This casserole is designed for making ahead! Assemble everything up to the baking step and refrigerate overnight. You can even prepare the crumb topping separately, store it in the refrigerator, and add it just before baking for maximum crispness.

Storing Leftovers

Cover cooled leftovers tightly and refrigerate for 2-3 days. The texture remains surprisingly good, though the topping will soften somewhat.

Freezing

Freeze the unbaked, assembled casserole (without the crumb topping) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the fresh crumb topping, and bake as directed. Already baked casserole can be frozen in portions for up to 3 months.

Reheating

For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. For larger portions, cover with foil and warm in a 300°F oven for about 20 minutes until heated.

FAQs

Can I use regular sandwich bread instead of artisan bread?
While traditional french toast often uses sandwich bread, this casserole needs sturdier bread that won’t disintegrate during the long soak. If sandwich bread is all you have, reduce the soaking time to 2 hours maximum and expect a softer final texture.

Why did my casserole turn out soggy in the middle?
Several factors can cause sogginess: using fresh instead of day-old bread, not baking long enough, or having oversized bread cubes that don’t cook through. Next time, ensure your bread is properly dried out, cut cubes no larger than 1 inch, and check doneness by inserting a knife in the center – it should come out mostly clean, not wet.

Can I make this casserole dairy-free?
Yes! Use dairy-free cream cheese, plant-based butter, and your preferred non-dairy milk (almond or oat work well). The texture might be slightly different, but the flavor will still be delicious with these substitutions.

How do I know when the casserole is fully baked?
The top should be golden brown and crisp, and when you gently shake the pan, the center should be mostly set with just a slight jiggle. An instant-read thermometer inserted in the center should read around 160°F. Remember that the casserole will continue setting as it cools.

Final Thoughts

This Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole elevates breakfast to an unforgettable experience. The beauty of this dish lies not just in its delicious layers of flavor and texture, but in how it brings people together around the table. There’s something magical about pulling a golden-brown casserole from the oven while your family or guests are still waking up. One bite of this custardy, cream cheese-filled delight and ordinary mornings transform into special occasions. Give yourself the gift of a make-ahead breakfast that delivers maximum impact with minimal morning effort!

Print