French Toast Casserole Bake with Berries- so easy!

This easy French toast casserole with brioche and fresh berries is perfect for brunch, make-ahead mornings, and special occasions!

There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a warm, sweet, and satisfying baked French toast casserole recipe in the morning. Whether you’re preparing a delicious breakfast for a weekend brunch, a special occasion like Mother’s Day, or simply looking for the perfect way to use up stale bread, this easy French toast casserole recipe is a crowd pleaser. The combination of brioche bread, a rich custard mixture, and fresh berries makes for an indulgent dish that is simple yet luxurious.

Unlike traditional French toast, which requires standing over a skillet flipping slices of bread, this baked French toast casserole recipe comes together effortlessly in a casserole dish. With minimal prep and a hands-off baking process, it’s the best French toast casserole for anyone looking to serve a great recipe to family or friends. Plus, it can be prepped the next day for an easy breakfast with zero hassle! Let’s dive into why you’ll absolutely love this dish.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s Simple & Quick – This easy French toast bake takes just minutes to prepare before baking in a preheated oven to golden brown perfection. There’s no need to individually dip and fry bread slices like with regular French toast.

• Perfect for Special Occasions – Whether it’s Christmas morning, Mother’s Day, or a weekend brunch, this breakfast casserole is a great option for feeding a crowd with minimal effort.

• Great Use of Stale Bread – This dish is a perfect way to use stale bread, like brioche bread, challah bread, or even cinnamon rolls. Using slightly dry bread helps it absorb the custard mixture better, making the final result rich and tender.

• Make-Ahead Friendly – You can assemble everything the next day, let it soak overnight with plastic wrap covering the baking dish, and simply bake it in the morning for a hassle-free meal.

• Versatile and Customizable – Swap the whole milk for almond milk or soy milk, add a crisp topping with cold butter and brown sugar, or mix in extras like cream cheese or cinnamon sugar for extra indulgence.

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A Breakdown of the Ingredients

Each ingredient in this baked French toast casserole recipe plays an important role in making it utterly delicious:

• Canyon Roadhouse brioche buns – The best bread for this dish! The richness of brioche bread soaks up the custard mixture while keeping a fluffy, tender texture. You can also use challah bread, sourdough bread, or even a loaf of French bread for different textures.
• Fresh berries – The strawberries and blueberries add natural sweetness and a refreshing contrast to the creamy egg mixture. You can swap for raspberries, blackberries, or even frozen berries.
• Whole milk & heavy cream – The combination of whole milk and heavy whipping cream creates a luxuriously rich custard mixture that keeps the casserole moist. If needed, you can substitute almond milk or soy milk.
• Eggs – Large eggs provide structure and bind the custard mixture together for the perfect baked French toast casserole recipe.
• Vanilla extract – Enhances the overall flavor and adds warmth to the dish.
• White sugar – Adds sweetness to balance out the flavors.
• Powdered sugar – Used as a light garnish after baking for a touch of sweetness and elegance.

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How to Make the Recipe

Making this easy French toast bake couldn’t be simpler! Follow these steps:

1. Preheat Your Oven & Prep the Baking Dish
   • Heat your f oven to 375°F and grease a 9×9 casserole dish with melted butter.
2. Prepare the Bread & Berries
   • Cut the brioche bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them in a single layer in the casserole dish.
   • Scatter the fresh fruit (strawberries and blueberries) evenly over the bread cubes.
3. Make the Custard Mixture
   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, large eggs, vanilla extract, and white sugar. This forms the rich egg mixture that makes the casserole tender and flavorful.
4. Soak the Bread & Bake
   • Pour the custard mixture evenly over the top of the bread, ensuring everything is well coated. Let it sit for 15 minutes so the stale bread can absorb the liquid.

1. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and the casserole is fully cooked.
2. Cool & Serve
   • Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup!

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How to Store the Recipe

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire breakfast dish in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.

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Tips for Making the Recipe

• Use Stale Bread – Slightly dry bread absorbs the custard mixture better, giving you the best texture.
• Let it Soak Overnight – Preparing the casserole the next morning makes the flavors meld beautifully. Just cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Add a Crisp Topping – Sprinkle a mix of brown sugar, teaspoon cinnamon, and cold butter over the casserole before baking for a caramelized crisp topping.
• Try Different Types of Bread – While brioche bread is a personal favorite, this recipe works well with challah bread, cinnamon rolls, or a loaf of French bread.
• Make Individual Portions – Instead of a casserole dish, bake in muffin tins for a personal consumption option that’s easy to grab and go.

This easy French toast casserole recipe is truly the perfect breakfast—warm, comforting, and incredibly simple to make. Whether you’re serving it for Christmas morning, a weekend brunch, or just because, this great recipe is sure to be a hit!

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