Description
This Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a delightful breakfast dish featuring layers of brioche bread and fresh blueberries soaked in a lemon-scented custard. Easy to prepare ahead of time and baked to golden perfection, it's a perfect option for serving a crowd with rich, custardy flavors and a hint of citrus.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 16 ounces brioche bread
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ⅔ cup lightly packed light brown sugar
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare baking dish: Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick during baking.
- Assemble bread and blueberries: Using a large serrated knife, slice the brioche bread into 1-inch cubes. Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bread. Layer the remaining bread cubes on top, followed by the rest of the blueberries, distributing them evenly.
- Make lemon brown sugar mixture: In a large bowl, combine the lemon zest and light brown sugar. Use your fingertips to rub the lemon zest into the sugar until the mixture is fragrant and well combined.
- Prepare custard: Add the eggs, whole milk, melted and cooled butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the lemon sugar mixture. Whisk everything together until fully combined and smooth.
- Soak the casserole: Slowly pour the egg custard mixture evenly over the layered bread and blueberries in the baking dish. Cover the pan tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight (12 hours) to allow the bread to soak up the custard.
- Preheat and rest: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while the oven heats.
- Bake covered: Bake the casserole covered with foil for 45 minutes. This helps the custard cook evenly without drying out the top.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 15 minutes, or until the french toast casserole is puffed evenly and the custard in the center is set.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh blueberries for the best flavor, but frozen blueberries can be used straight from the freezer without thawing to prevent sogginess.
- Prepare the casserole the night before to save time in the morning. The overnight soak enhances flavor and texture.
- Use brioche or another rich, soft bread for a custardy and tender result.
- Ensure the butter is cooled before adding to eggs to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
- For an extra burst of citrus flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the custard mixture.
- Serve with your favorite toppings such as maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh whipped cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (without syrup)
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 296 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 211 mg
