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Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole

I made this blueberry French toast casserole for Christmas morning brunch. It's perfect to put in the oven and go open presents while it bakes. You can top with syrup or whipped cream or nothing at all. I found several different recipes similar to this one, but none had everything I wanted to do with it, so I thought I'd try to make my own. I think it is a very good start, but please, let me know what you think!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 9 hours 45 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine French
Servings 10 people
Calories 3918.8 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 10x14-inch Baking Dish Essential for casserole assembly and baking.
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl For preparing the egg custard mixture.
  • 1 Medium Mixing Bowl For blending the cream cheese filling.
  • 1 Whisk To ensure smooth, well-combined mixtures.
  • 1 Rubber Spatula For spreading the cream cheese mixture evenly.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract divided
  • 2 cups blueberries divided
  • 2 loaves French bread cubed
  • 2 cups milk
  • 8 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions
 

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Mix cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and creamy; fold in 1 cup blueberries.
  • Cover the bottom of a 10x14-inch baking dish with a layer of bread cubes. Spread cream cheese mixture over bread layer; top with remaining bread cubes.
  • Whisk 2 cups milk, eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl; pour over bread mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup blueberries over bread-egg mixture. Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before baking.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until the center is set, about 30 minutes.

Notes

For optimal results, use day-old or slightly stale French bread; this allows it to absorb the custard mixture without becoming overly soggy. Ensure your cream cheese is thoroughly softened to achieve a smooth, lump-free spread. When combining the custard, whisk well to fully incorporate the eggs, ensuring a consistent texture throughout the casserole. The overnight refrigeration is crucial for the bread to properly soak up the custard, leading to a richer flavor and more uniform cook. Consider adding a pinch of lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for a bright counterpoint to the sweetness. For an elevated finish, a light dusting of confectioners' sugar or a dollop of fresh whipped cream and extra blueberries upon serving will enhance presentation and flavor.