If you’re looking for a breakfast that feels like a cozy hug in dish form, you’re going to adore my Blueberry Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe. This is one of those recipes I turn to when I want to wow a crowd or just treat my family to something special without a ton of morning rush. It’s sweet, fruity, custardy, and topped with a delightful crumbly streusel that bakes up perfectly every time. Trust me, this casserole will become your weekend brunch go-to, especially once you see how easy it is to prep ahead and bake when you want.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the night before and bake the next morning for stress-free entertaining.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: Fresh blueberries and strawberries give it that fruity burst with cinnamon warmth.
- Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Great for family breakfasts, holiday brunches, or even dessert lovers craving something sweet.
- Comfort With a Twist: Classic French toast, but baked into a luscious casserole that everyone goes crazy for.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The combination of hearty bread, fresh berries, and rich custard is what makes this Blueberry Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe stand out. Each ingredient shines while working harmoniously together—here’s a bit about why I chose them.
- Sourdough or French Bread: I suggest a sturdy loaf like sourdough to absorb that custard without getting mushy.
- Blueberries: Fresh ones pop during baking and keep their shape beautifully.
- Strawberries: Washed, hulled, and chopped to spread that juicy sweetness evenly throughout.
- Eggs: The cornerstone for the custard, making it rich and velvety.
- Milk (whole or 2%): Adds creaminess; whole milk offers a richer result but 2% works fine too.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: This little indulgence boosts the custard’s luscious texture.
- Sugars (granulated and light brown): The combo balances sweetness and adds a touch of caramel flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings warmth and depth—don’t skip it!
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds that classic French toast spice that complements the berries perfectly.
- All-Purpose Flour: For the topping, creating a crumbly, buttery streusel.
- Butter: Cut into the streusel, giving it that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch in the topping to balance sweetness.
Variations
One of my favorite parts about this Blueberry Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have or your mood. Feel free to get creative or keep it classic!
- Mix Up the Fruit: I once swapped raspberries for strawberries when they weren’t in season and it was incredible—the slight tartness gave the casserole a fresh twist.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use almond or oat milk and coconut cream instead of dairy; the texture is a bit lighter but still delicious.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for extra warmth in the custard—my family loved the extra cozy vibe this gave.
- Gluten-Free: Try using gluten-free bread if you need to avoid gluten, just make sure it’s sturdy enough to soak the custard without falling apart.
How to Make Blueberry Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Bread and Berries
Begin by greasing your 9×13 casserole dish—this step is crucial to prevent sticking. Slice your sourdough or French bread into rough 1-inch chunks; the irregularity helps soak up the custard without getting soggy. Toss the bread with fresh blueberries and chopped strawberries, then spread it evenly in your prepared dish. This mixing of bread and berries forms the base that holds all the luscious flavors together.
Step 2: Whisk and Pour the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugars (both granulated and brown), vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth and well combined. It smells heavenly already! Pour this evenly over the bread and berries, making sure every chunk gets coated. You’ll want to gently press down on the bread to help it soak in as much custard as possible—this is what makes each bite melt-in-your-mouth good.
Step 3: Chill Time
Cover your casserole with plastic wrap or foil and pop it in the fridge for several hours or overnight. This soak time is my secret to perfectly custardy, flavorful French toast casserole. When I first tried skipping this step, the bread didn’t absorb enough liquid and the texture was off. Trust me, patience pays off here!
Step 4: Make the Streusel Topping
Just before baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). For the streusel topping, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Add the butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to combine until the mixture looks crumbly and pea-sized. This buttery topping adds a delightful crunch and contrast to the creamy casserole below.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Sprinkle the streusel evenly over your soaked bread and berries, trying to cover as much as possible. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to an hour—less time if you want a softer, custard-like bite; longer if you prefer it a tad firmer and more set. Your kitchen will start smelling amazing as the topping turns golden brown and the custard bubbles underneath.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy Warm
Once out of the oven, let it cool just briefly before serving. Warm slices of this Blueberry Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe with syrup, powdered sugar, or even a dollop of whipped cream. I love adding extra fresh berries on top for that vibrant pop of color and flavor. It’s always a crowd-pleaser—my family goes crazy for this one!
Pro Tips for Making Blueberry Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Use Day-Old Bread: I learned the hard way that fresh bread can get too mushy—day-old works best to hold texture.
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Soaking overnight gives you that perfect custardy bite every single time.
- Customize Your Toppings: Feel free to add chopped nuts or oats to the streusel for extra crunch.
- Watch Your Bake Time: I keep an eye on the top near the end to prevent over-browning but still get that golden crust.
How to Serve Blueberry Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I’m all about keeping toppings simple and fresh. A dusting of powdered sugar and a splash of pure maple syrup are my favorites, but fresh mint leaves or extra fresh berries always make it look extra special and brighten the flavors.
Side Dishes
For a complete brunch spread, I like pairing this casserole with crispy bacon or breakfast sausages. A simple green salad or some citrus fruit salad balances the richness beautifully if you want something light.
Creative Ways to Present
Once, I baked this casserole in small individual ramekins for a brunch party—it made everyone feel so special having their own perfectly baked portion. You can also layer extra berries between custard layers for a dramatic look when served.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When I reheat mine, I make sure to cover it loosely with foil to keep moisture in and avoid drying out.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this casserole twice—and it holds up wonderfully! Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftover portions in a 350°F oven covered with foil for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. This keeps the casserole moist without making the streusel topping soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen berries for this casserole?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw and drain frozen berries well before mixing them with the bread. Excess moisture can make your casserole a bit soggy.
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What type of bread works best?
Sturdy breads like sourdough or French bread that are at least a day old work best to soak up custard without falling apart.
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How long can I refrigerate the casserole before baking?
You can soak it overnight for best results, but up to 24 hours is fine—don’t go much longer or the bread can get overly soggy.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Use non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk and substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or full-fat canned coconut milk for richness.
Final Thoughts
This Blueberry Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe feels like a warm morning celebration every time I serve it. The combination of juicy berries, comforting cinnamon, and that dreamy custard topping just works so incredibly well. I love making it when friends come over because I can prep ahead, relax, and then enjoy the delicious results with everyone. Give it a try—you might just find it becoming your family’s new favorite weekend tradition like it is mine!
Print
Blueberry Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Berry French Toast Casserole is a delightful breakfast or brunch dish featuring a medley of fresh blueberries and strawberries layered with sourdough bread soaked in a rich custard of eggs, milk, and cream. Topped with a cinnamon brown sugar streusel, it bakes into a warm, comforting casserole perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as a make-ahead morning treat.
Ingredients
Casserole:
- 1 lb loaf Sourdough Or French Bread
- 1 ½ cups (195g) blueberries
- 1 lb strawberries, washed, hulled and chopped
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup (104g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (36g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Topping:
- 3/4 cup (98g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (169g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (112g) butter, cut into pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the casserole dish: Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish thoroughly and set it aside to prevent sticking.
- Assemble bread and fruit: Cut the sourdough or French bread into 1-inch chunks. Combine these bread pieces with the blueberries and the chopped strawberries, then spread this mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish.
- Mix custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until fully combined and smooth.
- Soak the bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and fruit, ensuring all the pieces are thoroughly soaked in the liquid. Cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to let the flavors meld and the bread absorb the custard.
- Preheat oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms coarse crumbs resembling a crumble topping.
- Top the casserole: Sprinkle the streusel crumble evenly over the soaked bread and fruit mixture, spreading it to cover as much surface area as possible.
- Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Bake for less time if you prefer a softer, more moist texture, or longer for a firmer, less moist casserole.
- Serve: Once baked, serve the casserole warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or additional fresh fruit as desired.
Notes
- For best flavor, soak the casserole overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- Sourdough or French bread is preferred for a sturdy texture that soaks up custard well without becoming too mushy.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option, but it may affect creaminess.
- Feel free to swap or add other berries such as raspberries or blackberries for variety.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of casserole)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
