Every Thanksgiving morning in our house starts the same way—pajamas, coffee, and something warm bubbling in the oven. One year, this baked cream cheese French toast casserole stole the show before the turkey even had a chance. It’s soft, sweet, cinnamon-scented, and full of creamy pockets that melt in your mouth. The best part? You prep it the night before, then bake it the next morning while the coffee brews.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
For the casserole:
- 1 loaf (12–14 oz) French bread, brioche, or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 oz full-fat brick-style cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
- 3 tsp vanilla extract (divided)
- 8 large eggs
- 2¼ cups whole milk
- ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
For the crumb topping:
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
Optional toppings:
- Maple syrup
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Blueberry sauce
How to Make Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Step by Step
Step 1: Prep your baking dish
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter. Set it aside.
Step 2: Add the first bread layer
Spread half of the cubed bread evenly in the bottom of your prepared dish.
Step 3: Mix the cream cheese filling
In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and ¼ tsp vanilla until smooth.
Step 4: Add the cream cheese to the casserole
Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the bread. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it’ll melt and spread as it bakes.
Step 5: Layer the remaining bread
Add the rest of the bread cubes on top, covering the cream cheese dollops.
Step 6: Make the custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and remaining vanilla extract until fully combined.
Step 7: Pour the custard over the bread
Slowly pour the custard mixture over the bread, making sure all pieces are moistened. Press gently with a spatula to help the bread soak it in.
Step 8: Cover and chill
Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 3 hours—overnight is ideal.
The Next Morning
Step 9: Preheat your oven
Take the casserole out of the fridge and preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
Step 10: Make the crumb topping
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add the cold butter and use your fingers or a fork to mix until crumbly.
Step 11: Add the crumb topping
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the soaked casserole.
Step 12: Bake the Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Until Golden
Bake uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center feels set. If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent with foil.
Step 13: Cool and serve
Let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or blueberry sauce.
How to Store and Reheat Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
Prep ahead
Assemble the casserole and store it in the fridge overnight. Keep the crumb topping in a separate container and sprinkle it on just before baking for the best texture.
Store leftovers
Refrigerate leftovers for 2 to 3 days. You can also freeze the baked (or unbaked) casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or baking.
Easy Variations
- Add 1 cup of fresh blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries with the cream cheese layer (avoid frozen fruit)
- Halve the recipe and bake in an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch pan for 30 to 35 minutes
- Use croissants or cinnamon swirl bread for a fun twist
What to Serve with Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
This casserole is rich and a little sweet, so it pairs beautifully with savory dishes like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, or a simple quiche. Fresh fruit salad or smoked salmon and bagels round it out nicely. It’s also lovely served with a cozy drink and a side like Apple Cinnamon Muffins for Holiday Mornings or Brown Sugar Overnight Oats for a Make-Ahead Breakfast.
If you’re feeding a crowd, check out the Berry French Toast Casserole for Brunch or Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake as a Fall Dessert to complete the spread.
Recipe Card
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Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole – Ultimate Delight
- Total Time: 1 hour active, up to 25 hours with chill
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A make-ahead breakfast casserole with layers of cinnamon-spiced custard-soaked bread, sweetened cream cheese, and a buttery brown sugar crumb topping.
Ingredients
1 loaf (12–14 oz) French bread, brioche, or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes
8 oz full-fat brick-style cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
3 tsp vanilla extract (divided)
8 large eggs
2¼ cups whole milk
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
⅔ cup packed light brown sugar
Crumb Topping:
⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp ground cinnamon
6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
Optional Toppings:
Maple syrup
Confectioners’ sugar
Blueberry sauce
Instructions
1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Add half of the bread cubes to the dish.
3. Beat cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and ¼ tsp vanilla until smooth.
4. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture over the bread layer.
5. Add remaining bread cubes on top.
6. Whisk eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and remaining vanilla until smooth.
7. Pour custard evenly over the bread and press down gently.
8. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 3–24 hours (overnight preferred).
9. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
10. Make the crumb topping: combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and cold butter until crumbly.
11. Sprinkle topping evenly over casserole.
12. Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes or until golden and set.
13. Cool slightly, then serve warm with desired toppings.
Notes
Use stale, crusty bread for the best texture.
Let it soak overnight for deep flavor and perfect consistency.
Avoid frozen berries if adding fruit—use only fresh.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–55 minutes
- Category: Thanksgiving Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
More Such Recipes
Looking for more cozy, comforting recipes?
- Brown Sugar Overnight Oats for a Make-Ahead Breakfast
- Apple Cinnamon Muffins for Holiday Mornings
- Easy Cinnamon Apple Cake as a Fall Dessert
- Berry French Toast Casserole for Brunch
FAQ
Can you use cream cheese for French toast?
Yes! Cream cheese adds a soft, creamy texture and a slight tang. It makes every bite feel more indulgent.
Can you bake cream cheese in the oven?
Definitely. It softens and melts beautifully during baking, especially when mixed with a little sugar and vanilla.
What’s in a French toast casserole?
Bread, a custard made from eggs and milk, and usually some kind of filling or topping—like cream cheese, fruit, or a crumble.
What are common mistakes when making French toast casserole?
Using fresh bread, not soaking long enough, or adding frozen fruit. All of those can make the casserole soggy or uneven.
Final Thoughts
This baked cream cheese French toast casserole has everything I love in a holiday breakfast—it’s easy to make, totally comforting, and makes the house smell amazing. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas morning, or just a chilly weekend, it brings people together around the table. That’s the kind of recipe worth keeping.
You can follow along for more cozy recipes on Pinterest or Facebook.