Description
This Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast is a delightful twist on the classic breakfast favorite. Featuring layers of day-old bread soaked in a creamy, cinnamon-spiced custard with fresh strawberries, it is baked to golden perfection for a warm and comforting morning treat perfect for family gatherings or weekend brunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Fruit
- 6 slices bread (preferably day-old brioche or challah)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
Cream Mixture
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup milk (or almond/coconut milk for dairy-free option)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Other
- Butter for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with butter to prevent sticking.
- Make the Cream Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Layer the Ingredients: Arrange the slices of bread in the buttered baking dish, slightly overlapping them. Pour half of the cream mixture evenly over the bread, then scatter half of the sliced strawberries on top.
- Repeat Layering: Add another layer of bread slices, pour the remaining cream mixture evenly, and finish with the remaining sliced strawberries, ensuring all the bread is soaked thoroughly in the custard.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to allow the custard to set.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Serving: Let the baked French toast cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm, optionally topped with additional fresh strawberries, syrup, or powdered sugar as desired.
Notes
- Day-old or slightly stale bread works best to absorb the custard without becoming too soggy.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or coconut milk and use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative.
- You can add a drizzle of maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar before serving to enhance sweetness.
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to mix smoothly into the custard.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked french toast, strawberries and cream, breakfast casserole, baked breakfast, custard soaked bread
