Mornings feel different when there’s something sweet waiting in the fridge. I remember one rainy Saturday when we had cousins over, and this Berry French Toast Casserole turned our chaotic kitchen into a warm, buttery haven. The berries melted into the bread like jam, and everyone went back for seconds even the picky eaters.
This easy Berry French Toast Casserole is packed with fresh strawberries and blueberries, soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla custard, and baked until golden and puffed. You can prep it the night before, making it perfect for busy mornings, brunch with friends, or even holidays. It’s rich, fruity, and absolutely comforting.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Berry French Toast Casserole
- You can prep it the night before huge time saver
- Feeds a crowd with almost no fuss
- Uses everyday ingredients you already have
- Easy to mix and match with your favorite berries or breads
Ingredients You’ll Need
- French bread (12–14 cups, cubed): Use stale or dry for best texture
- Eggs (8 large): Helps bind everything together
- Milk (2 cups, 2% or plant-based): Oat or almond milk work well too
- Vanilla extract (2 tsp): Adds depth and warmth
- Cinnamon (1 tsp): For cozy spice
- Brown sugar (2/3 cup): Sweetens the custard
- Strawberries (1 cup, sliced): Bright and juicy
- Blueberries (1/2 cup): Bursts of sweetness
- Powdered sugar (1–2 tbsp, optional): For dusting
- Maple syrup (to taste): A drizzle makes it complete
Optional Substitutions & Add-Ins
- Swap milk for almond, oat, or soy
- Use raspberries, blackberries, or mixed fruit
- Try croissants, brioche, or challah for richness
- Add chopped nuts or a sprinkle of lemon zest
How to Make Berry French Toast Casserole
Step 1 – Prepare the Bread Base
Grease a 9×13″ baking dish.
Fill about three-quarters of it with your cubed bread.
If your bread is too soft, let it air dry for a bit first.
Step 2 – Mix the Custard
In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
Make sure it’s smooth and everything’s combined well.
You want that custard rich and flavorful.
Step 3 – Assemble and Chill
Pour the custard over the bread. Press down slightly to help it absorb.
Scatter strawberries and blueberries on top.
Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 4 – Bake and Serve
In the morning, preheat your oven to 350°F.
Uncover and bake for 35–50 minutes. Check at 35 minutes the top should be golden and the middle set.
Let it cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar and serve with warm maple syrup.
Expert Tips for Success
- Use dry or day-old bread so it holds up to the custard
- Check at 35 minutes, but give it more time if it’s still jiggly in the center
- Serve warm with maple syrup or fresh whipped cream
- Works great with a savory side like this Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole
Variations to Try
- Use a mix of berries for a beautiful color combo
- Swap in apples and extra cinnamon for a fall twist
- Add pecans or walnuts for crunch
- Use less sugar or skip syrup for a low-sugar version
- You can also try it in muffin tins for individual servings, like these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use frozen berries?
Yes, you can. No need to thaw them first. Just scatter them frozen over the top. They’ll bake beautifully.
What’s the best bread to use?
Stale French bread, brioche, or challah all work well. You want something sturdy that won’t turn mushy.
How long can I store leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat slices in the microwave. Store syrup separately.
Berry French Toast Casserole Recipe Card
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Berry French Toast Casserole | Easy & Delicious Brunch
- Total Time: 1 hour active, 4+ hours resting
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
A make-ahead breakfast casserole soaked in cinnamon-vanilla custard and topped with fresh berries. Perfect for brunch, holidays, or lazy weekends.
Ingredients
12–14 cups French bread (cubed, ideally stale or dry)
8 large eggs
2 cups 2% milk (or almond/oat milk)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup strawberries (sliced)
1/2 cup blueberries
1–2 tbsp powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Maple syrup (for serving)
Instructions
1. Grease a 9×13″ casserole dish with oil or butter.
2. Fill 3/4 of the dish with cubed bread.
3. In a bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
4. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread cubes.
5. Top with strawberries and blueberries.
6. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F.
8. Bake for 35–50 minutes, checking for doneness at 35 minutes.
9. Remove from oven and cool slightly.
10. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup before serving.
Notes
Use dry or stale bread for best absorption.
Baking time may vary by oven and bread moisture.
Can be prepared the night before for convenience.
Try using different berries or breads to switch it up.
Leftovers reheat well and make a great second-day breakfast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 308
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 322mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 112mg
More Such Recipes
Try this cozy Pumpkin French Toast Casserole for cozy fall mornings or enjoy a quick Blueberry Breakfast Quesadilla for a fruity, protein-rich start.
Final Thoughts
This Berry French Toast Casserole is one of those recipes that turns simple ingredients into something special. It’s warm, soft, and loaded with berry goodness. Whether you’re hosting brunch or just want a slow morning with coffee in hand, this dish is here for it. Let me know how it goes — and don’t forget to share it with someone you love.
You can also find more inspiration and share your versions on Pinterest or join the breakfast chatter on Facebook.