Berry French Toast Bake is a simple breakfast casserole that you put together the night before and bake in the morning. It is a great breakfast to serve to overnight guests or have for a special breakfast on weekend mornings. It would also be a perfect recipe for special occasions like Easter morning, Mother’s Day brunch or Christmas breakfast.
Fresh berries are the stars here and they give the bake lots of flavor. It is slightly sweetened with brown sugar and can be served just as is or you can serve it with maple syrup if you want some additional sweetness.
This recipe is meant to sit overnight in order to completely absorb the wet ingredients into the bread.
If you like the idea of make ahead overnight easy breakfast casserole recipes, check out Blueberry Baked Oatmeal, Sausage Strata and Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal.
If you would like to try another baked French toast casserole check out Cranberry Orange French Toast Bake, Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast and Blueberry French Toast Bake which has a brown sugar crumble on the top.
Another fun french toast recipe to try is Cranberry Orange French Toast Roll Ups. Another great recipe to make for brunch is Chocolate Cream Cheese Monkey Bread.
SOME THINGS TO KNOW:FAQ’S
INGREDIENT TIPS:
- The choice of bread is important. Challah bread, brioche bread, and baguette are excellent because they are rich and sturdy enough to absorb the egg mixture without falling apart. The key is using day-old bread as the dry bread can better absorb the egg mixture without falling apart. Read Stale Bread = French Toast.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
- 9×9-inch Baking Dish: This size is ideal for making a Berry French Toast Bake that serves around 6 people. It allows for even distribution of the ingredients and ensures that the custard is absorbed properly by the bread.
- Large Mixing Bowl: You will need a large bowl to whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and sugar.
- Whisk: A whisk is essential for thoroughly mixing the egg custard ingredients to ensure the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements of the ingredients are important for the success of the recipe.Measuring cups and spoons will help you measure the milk, vanilla extract, sugar, and ingredients for the custard mixture.
- Spatula or Large Spoon: A spatula or large spoon is handy for spreading the mixture evenly in the baking dish.
- Cutting Board and Knife: You will need a cutting board and a sharp knife to cube the bread and slice the strawberries. A good knife makes it easier to cut through the bread without squashing it, especially if you are using softer bread like brioche.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- If you do not have challah, brioche, or baguette French bread, you can use almost any other type of bread.
- You can substitute the whole milk with equal parts of heavy cream or half and half for a richer texture. You could also use any plant-based milk. Almond milk, Oat milk, or soy milk are good choices for a dairy-free version.
- Almond extract can be used in place of vanilla extract for a different flavor profile. Use half the amount, as almond extract is stronger.
- Coconut sugar or maple syrup can replace the brown sugar if you are looking for a more natural sugar option. Granulated sugar works too, though it lacks the moistness and depth of flavor that brown sugar adds.
- Feel free to use any combination of berries you like or have available. If fresh berries are not in season, frozen berries make a great substitute without needing to thaw them first. Just spread them directly onto the bread mixture before baking.
HOW TO STORE BERRY FRENCH TOAST BAKE:
- You can store the Berry French Toast Bake in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Allow the French toast bake to cool completely to room temperature after baking to prevent condensation and sogginess when stored. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- The French toast bake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure the French toast bake is completely cooled to room temperature. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped French toast bake into a larger freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
HOW TO REHEAT BERRY FRENCH TOAST BAKE:
- To reheat the berry French toast bake in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the French toast bake on a lined baking sheet and cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until thoroughly warmed.
- For a quick option, you can microwave individual servings. Place the French toast onto a microwave safe plate, covered on high for 1-2 minutes.
Spray a 9 inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Add the bread cubes to the pan evenly in a single layer.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl with a whisk. Add the whole milk, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar. Whisk everything together thoroughly.
Place the raspberries. blueberries, and strawberries evenly over the bread, tucking them down in between the cubes.
Pour the milk mixture over the top of the bread cubes in the pan. Make sure that all the cubes are covered in the mixture. Cover with a foil or plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator overnight to let the bread soak up all of the milk and egg mixture.
THE NEXT MORNING: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the cover from the pan. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of brown sugar evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake the Berry French Toast Bake for 45-50 minutes, until the top is completely formed and golden brown.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl with a whisk. Add the whole milk, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar. Whisk everything together thoroughly. Spray a 9 inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Add the bread cubes to the pan evenly in a single layer. Place the raspberries. blueberries, and strawberries evenly over the bread, tucking them down in between the cubes. Pour the milk mixture over the bread cubes in the pan. Make sure that all the cubes are covered in the mixture. Cover with a foil or saran wrap and place into the refrigerator overnight. THE NEXT MORNING: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the cover from the pan. Sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of brown sugar evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake for 45- 50 minutes, until the top is completely formed and golden brown. Serve with maple syrup if you want additional sweetness.
Berry French Toast Bake
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Ingredients
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