Description

This Berry French Toast Casserole is a delightful, make-ahead breakfast dish featuring a mix of fresh blueberries and strawberries baked with sourdough bread in a rich custard, topped with a cinnamon streusel crumble. Perfect for brunch or a cozy morning treat, it combines sweet and tart berries with warm cinnamon flavors and a buttery, crunchy topping.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Fruit

1 lb loaf Sourdough or French Bread, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 ½ cups (195g) blueberries
1 lb strawberries, washed, hulled and chopped

Custard Mixture

8 large eggs
2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%)
1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (104g) granulated sugar
1/4 cup (36g) packed light brown sugar
2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Streusel Topping

3/4 cup (98g) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (169g) packed light brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup (112g) butter, cut into pieces

Instructions

Prepare the casserole dish: Grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and set it aside for later use.
Combine bread and fruit: Cut the sourdough or French bread into 1-inch chunks. In a large bowl, gently combine the bread chunks with the blueberries and chopped strawberries. Spread this mixture evenly in the bottom of the greased casserole dish.
Make the custard mixture: In another large bowl, whisk together eight large eggs, 2 cups of milk, 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until fully blended.
Soak the bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and fruit in the casserole dish, ensuring all the bread pieces are well coated. Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to allow the bread to soak up the custard.
Preheat the oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture forms crumbly clumps resembling coarse crumbs.
Add streusel topping and bake: Sprinkle the streusel crumble evenly over the soaked bread and fruit layer, covering as much surface as possible. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. For a softer, moister texture, bake closer to 45 minutes; for a firmer, less moist texture, bake up to an hour.
Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly. Serve warm topped with syrup, powdered sugar, or additional fresh fruit as desired.

Notes

For best results, allow the casserole to soak overnight to ensure the bread fully absorbs the custard.
You can substitute the fruit with your favorite berries or stone fruit depending on the season.
The streusel topping can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Using day-old bread helps the casserole hold its shape and absorb custard better.
Adjust sugar quantities if you prefer a less sweet casserole.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 to 60 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Berry French Toast Casserole, baked French toast, berry breakfast casserole, cinnamon streusel topping, make-ahead brunch recipe