When it comes to making breakfast for a large group of people you can’t do much better than a french toast casserole. Prepare everything the night before, let it hang out in the fridge, pop it in the oven in the morning and serve; brunch doesn’t get much easier than that. Add in a bunch of sweet, juicy strawberries and creamy pearls of cream cheese and french toast goes from good to spectacular. Equal parts elevated and homey this Make Ahead Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is sure to become a new favorite.
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I usually host a family brunch once a month and often make some kind of french toast casserole. French toast casseroles are simple to make and most of the work is done the night before making the morning much more relaxing for me. French toast casseroles also feed and please a crowd; loved by toddlers, grandparents and everyone in between.
How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
I start out with preparing the strawberries, either by slicing fresh berries if they are in season, or using frozen sliced strawberries (which makes prep even easier) then tossing them with a little bit of sugar to release the juices. In another bowl I mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla. In a large bowl I whisk together the milk, eggs, cinnamon as well as the remaining sugar and vanilla.
Now it’s time to put everything together. In a 9×13 baking dish ( I love this one from Emile Henry) spread 2 cups of the sliced strawberries. Top this with half the cubed bread, dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over this and sprinkle over the remaining strawberries. Top with the remaining bread and then pour the custard mixture over everything. Cover with aluminum foil and let rest overnight in the refrigerator.
The next morning remove the dish from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. To serve sprinkle with powdered sugar, maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream.
If you like this Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
Easy Strawberry Cream Cheese Danish
Raspberry Sweet Rolls with Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze
Apple Scones with Maple Cinnamon Glaze
If you make this Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Make Ahead Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
Equipment
- baking dish
Ingredients
- 4 cups strawberries sliced
- 4 tbsp sugar, divided
- 1 14 oz loaf of bread such as challah or sourdough cubed
- 1 8 oz block of cream cheese
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 2 cups milk
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Toss sliced strawberries with 2 tbsp of sugar and set aside. In a medium bowl beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Spread 2 cups of the strawberries in a 9×13 inch baking dish, top with half of the cubed bread. Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over this and sprinkle over the remaining strawberries. Top with the remaining cubed bread.
- In a bowl whisk together milk, eggs, and cinnamon along with the remaining sugar and vanilla. Pour this over the bread and strawberries. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning remove the dish from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. To serve sprinkle with powdered sugar, maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream.
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Sue says
This is delicious with the strawberries!
Kirby says
Strawberries and cream cheese are a match made in heaven. This french toast is out of this world!
Pam Greer says
So easy and so delicious! It’s the perfect breakfast for company!
Amanda Dixon says
This was so heavenly! The strawberries and decadent cream cheese were the perfect match, and I love that you could make it ahead of time. It was perfect for our Sunday brunch.
Emily Flint says
This sounds AMAZING and I will definitely be making this for my guy on Father’s Day!
Amy Roskelley says
My family loved this french toast casserole!! We’ll be making it again for Father’s Day!
Anna says
This sweet casserole was utterly delicious! Best thing I’ve ever made!
Toni says
Such an amazing day starter! It quickly became a favorite at my house!
Leslie says
AHHHHMAZING!!!
Katie Youngs says
I LOVE that this can be made ahead!
Denise says
Can this be made 2 days in advance? I want to make this on a Wednesday and bake it Friday morning.
Brianna says
I haven’t tried it but I think that would work. Let me know how it turns out!
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing casserole recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
Audrey says
My family loved this recipe.
susan | the wimpy vegetarian says
This looks absolutely irresistible, and perfect for when we have weekend guests! I love this!
Amy Liu Dong says
I love strawberries, and this is the perfect breakfast recipe to make for my kids. Delicious!
Mikayla says
Strawberries, cream cheese as a french toast casserole I have to say is so easily made up ahead of time and makes your morning so much simpler.
Liz says
Oh my gosh, this looks absolutely delicious! I have some fresh strawberries on hand, so will be giving this recipe a try soon!
Moop Brown says
French toast is one of my favorite breakfast dishes and I love the idea of making it into a casserole. Can’t wait to try!
Elena says
This is the perfect make-ahead breakfast/brunch recipe. Delicious! Always a hit with my family!
Elena says
This is the perfect make-ahead breakfast/brunch recipe. It’s so delicious and always a hit with my family!
Chenée says
So amazing! I love strawberry treats and this is like having strawberry shortcake for breakfast!
Natalie says
Oh yum. I can’t wait to make this for my family. Such a great breakfast idea. I’m saving this recipe to try.
Amy Liu Dong says
Such a delicious dessert to make for the holiday. I am sure my kids will love this.
Danni says
This turned out soggy for me. The top crusted up, but the rest was overly moist. I probably wouldn’t toss the strawberries in sugar next time or not chop up the bread into cubes so that it has a better chance of keeping a form and not deconstructing after baking.
Lisa B says
Came across this on Pinterest! I made this for mother’s day and it was beyond delicious! It came out perfect! Love that you prepare it the night before. Makes for such an easy morning!
Brianna says
I’m so glad you liked it!