Description

A luxurious make-ahead breakfast casserole featuring custardy French toast with tangy cream cheese pockets, perfect for holiday brunches and special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

1 loaf (16 ounces) French bread or challah, cubed
8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
8 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting
Maple syrup for serving

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Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with butter or cooking spray.
2. Arrange half of the cubed bread in the bottom of the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
3. Dot the bread layer with half of the cream cheese cubes, distributing them evenly.
4. Add the remaining bread cubes on top, followed by the remaining cream cheese pieces.
5. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs until well beaten and smooth.
6. Add milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to the eggs, whisking until completely combined.
7. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and cream cheese layers, pressing down gently with a spatula to help absorption.
8. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for at least 8 hours.
9. The next morning, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes while preheating the oven to 350°F.
10. Remove the plastic wrap and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set but slightly jiggly.
11. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.
12. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
13. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with maple syrup.

Notes

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 60-90 seconds or in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes. Can be frozen for up to 2 months when wrapped tightly. Day-old bread works best for optimal texture. Substitute challah or brioche for French bread if desired.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of casserole)
Calories: 285
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 340mg
Fat: 13g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 9g