What the heck is this?
This is the breakfast equivalent of a cozy hug. Imagine layers of soft, pillowy French toast studded with juicy blueberries and topped with a golden, cinnamon-sugar crust. The best part? You prep it the night before, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven in the morning and smell the magic happen. Whether it’s a weekend brunch or a holiday morning, this casserole is your shortcut to impressing everyone at the table — without breaking a sweat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Make-ahead magic — prep it the night before, bake it in the morning
• Soft, custardy French toast with a crisp, sweet top
• Bursting with blueberries (because why not?)
• No flipping individual slices of French toast — just layer it all in one pan
• Totally customizable — mix in your favorite fruits, nuts, or even chocolate chips
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
• 1 loaf of challah or French bread (about 10 cups cubed)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen, but fresh is best)
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (plus more for serving)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp butter (for greasing the baking dish)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Let’s Do This
- Prep the bread.
Cut the challah or French bread into cubes. Lightly toast it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until golden. This step helps the bread soak up the custard without getting too soggy. - Layer it up.
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. Layer half of the toasted bread cubes in the bottom of the dish, then sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bread. Repeat with the remaining bread and blueberries. - Make the custard.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the custard evenly over the bread and blueberries, pressing the bread down gently so it soaks up the liquid. - Chill overnight.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, allowing the bread to soak up all that custardy goodness. - Bake it up.
In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for 45–50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp. The middle should be set but still custardy. - Top it off.
Once out of the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with extra maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
• Serve with crispy bacon or sausage on the side for the perfect breakfast combo
• A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent touch
• Fresh fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or bananas on top
• A side of Greek yogurt for some creamy tanginess
Switch It Up
• Swap the blueberries for your favorite berry — strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries work great
• Add a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
• Try a dash of nutmeg or cardamom for a warm spice twist
• Swap the maple syrup for honey for a different sweetness
• Make it tropical with pineapple and coconut flakes
Make-Ahead Tips
• This is the perfect make-ahead breakfast — just prep the night before and bake in the morning
• Leftovers reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven. Just cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes
• Freezes well — portion and freeze for easy breakfasts on the go!
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use day-old bread?
A: Yes! In fact, slightly stale bread is perfect for this dish because it soaks up the custard even better.
Q: Can I use frozen blueberries?
A: Sure! Just be aware that frozen berries might release more juice, making the casserole a bit wetter, but still delicious.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Absolutely — use almond or oat milk and coconut cream instead of the dairy options. Just make sure to swap the eggs for an egg replacer if needed.
Q: How do I prevent it from being too soggy?
A: Toasting the bread before assembling the casserole helps it hold its shape and prevents sogginess.
Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole: The Breakfast of Your Dreams
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
This is the breakfast equivalent of a cozy hug. Imagine layers of soft, pillowy French toast studded with juicy blueberries and topped with a golden, cinnamon-sugar crust. The best part? You prep it the night before, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven in the morning and smell the magic happen. Whether it’s a weekend brunch or a holiday morning, this casserole is your shortcut to impressing everyone at the table — without breaking a sweat.
Ingredients
• 1 loaf of challah or French bread (about 10 cups cubed)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen, but fresh is best)
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (plus more for serving)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp butter (for greasing the baking dish)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
Prep the bread.
Cut the challah or French bread into cubes. Lightly toast it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or until golden. This step helps the bread soak up the custard without getting too soggy.Layer it up.
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. Layer half of the toasted bread cubes in the bottom of the dish, then sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bread. Repeat with the remaining bread and blueberries.Make the custard.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the custard evenly over the bread and blueberries, pressing the bread down gently so it soaks up the liquid.Chill overnight.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, allowing the bread to soak up all that custardy goodness.Bake it up.
In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for 45–50 minutes, until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp. The middle should be set but still custardy.Top it off.
Once out of the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with extra maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
Serve with crispy bacon or sausage on the side for the perfect breakfast combo
• A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent touch
• Fresh fruit like strawberries, raspberries, or bananas on top
• A side of Greek yogurt for some creamy tanginess
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~350 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: ~45g per serving
- Protein: ~8g per serving