If there’s one dish that feels like a warm hug on a chilly morning, it’s my beloved Overnight Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe. Imagine tender cubes of day-old bread soaked in a luscious custard, layered with tangy cream cheese and bursting with fresh blueberries. This casserole bakes up golden and inviting, creating a perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and sweet flavors that your family and friends will rave about. It’s effortless to prepare the night before and turns breakfast or brunch into a special occasion without the last-minute hustle.

Overnight Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for a handful of simple yet key ingredients that work together to build layers of flavor and texture. Each component plays a role—day-old bread soaks up the custard perfectly, cream cheese adds a rich tang, and blueberries bring a fresh pop of color and sweetness.

Day-old bread: Using bread that’s a day old helps it absorb the custard without becoming mushy, giving the casserole structure and softness.
Cream cheese: Cubed into 1-inch pieces, it melts into creamy pockets that contrast beautifully with the bread.
Fresh blueberries: These offer juicy bursts of natural sweetness and a lovely violet hue that brightens every bite.
Large eggs: The backbone of the custard, eggs provide richness and help set the casserole during baking.
Milk: Combined with the eggs, milk softens the bread and ensures a smooth custard texture.
Vanilla extract: A splash brings warmth and depth to the custard’s flavor.
Maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness and a hint of caramel that ties all the flavors together.

How to Make Overnight Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Casserole Dish

Start by lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This simple step ensures that none of the luscious baked custard sticks to the pan and it’ll be easier to serve up later.

Step 2: Layer the Bread, Cream Cheese, and Blueberries

Place half the bread cubes evenly in the baking dish. Scatter the cream cheese cubes over the bread carefully, making sure they’re spread out for even melting. Then sprinkle the fresh blueberries on top before adding the remaining bread cubes to create the perfect layered structure.

Step 3: Whisk Together the Custard

In a large bowl, combine the beaten eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Whisk these ingredients until smooth and fully blended. This custard mixture is the heart of your casserole, soaking into the bread and infusing it with flavor.

Step 4: Pour Custard and Refrigerate Overnight

Pour the custard evenly over the layered bread, cream cheese, and blueberries, making sure everything is well coated. Cover the dish tightly and place it in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight. This step lets the bread soak up all the creamy goodness and develop an incredible texture.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

When you’re ready to bake, take the casserole out of the fridge about 30 minutes before cooking to come to room temperature. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes until the top is lovely and lightly browned, and the inside is set.

Step 6: Let it Cool and Serve

Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving so it sets perfectly and the flavors meld together. This cozy dish is best enjoyed warm with your favorite toppings.

How to Serve Overnight Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

Enhance your casserole with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a generous dollop of whipped cream. Fresh blueberries or a few mint leaves add a pretty touch and extra freshness when serving.

Side Dishes

This casserole pairs wonderfully with crispy bacon or sausage for those who love a savory contrast. Fresh fruit salad or citrusy orange slices provide brightness and balance to the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this casserole in individual ramekins for a charming, personalized touch. You can also add a sprinkle of toasted almonds or pecans on top before baking to add some delightful crunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It reheats beautifully and holds on to all its creamy, fruity goodness.

Freezing

This casserole freezes well! Portion leftovers into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

Reheat individual servings in the microwave for around 1 to 2 minutes or warm the whole casserole in a 350°F oven until heated through and tasty all over again.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Frozen blueberries work just fine. Just toss them in frozen and distribute evenly like the fresh ones. Keep in mind frozen berries may release a bit more juice during baking.

Is it necessary to use day-old bread?

Day-old bread is preferred because it soaks up the custard without breaking down into mush. If you don’t have day-old bread, lightly toast fresh bread to dry it out slightly before cubing.

Can I prepare this casserole in the morning rather than overnight?

Yes, but soaking overnight yields the best texture and flavor. If pressed for time, soak for at least 4 hours to let the custard soak in properly.

What type of cream cheese is best for this recipe?

Regular full-fat cream cheese cubes work best for that rich, creamy layer. Low-fat varieties won’t provide quite the same luscious texture.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Just substitute the bread with your favorite gluten-free bread. Make sure it’s sturdy enough to soak the custard without falling apart for the best results.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a breakfast that feels both indulgent and easy, this Overnight Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s a crowd-pleaser with minimal effort and maximum flavor potential. Give it a go—you might just find your new favorite weekend tradition.

Overnight Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

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4 from 66 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 9 hours 40 minutes
Yield: 10 servings 1x

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Description

This Overnight Blueberry French Toast casserole is a delightful make-ahead breakfast dish perfect for busy mornings or special occasions. Cubes of day-old bread are layered with cream cheese and fresh blueberries, soaked overnight in a rich custard made from eggs, milk, vanilla, and maple syrup, then baked to golden perfection. The dish offers a creamy, fruity, and comforting start to your day.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread Layer

12 slices day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup fresh blueberries

Custard

12 large eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅓ cup maple syrup

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Instructions

Prepare the Casserole: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make for easy cleanup.
Layer the Bread and Cream Cheese: Arrange half of the bread cubes evenly in the baking dish, then top them with the cream cheese cubes to distribute the creamy texture throughout the dish.
Add Blueberries and Remaining Bread: Sprinkle fresh blueberries evenly over the cream cheese, then cover with the remaining bread cubes to form the top layer of the dish.
Make the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and well combined, forming the custard that soaks into the bread.
Pour Custard Over Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread, cream cheese, and blueberries, ensuring all pieces soak up the custard mixture.
Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate it overnight (about 8-12 hours) allowing the bread to fully soak up the custard, resulting in a tender and flavorful casserole.
Bring to Room Temperature: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to let it come closer to room temperature for even cooking.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
Bake Covered: Bake the casserole covered with foil or a lid for 30 minutes to gently cook through without drying out.
Uncover and Continue Baking: Remove the cover and bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes until the center is set and the surface is lightly browned, indicating it is fully cooked.
Cool Slightly: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes to set before serving so it slices more cleanly.
Serve Warm: Serve warm with your choice of toppings such as extra maple syrup, whipped cream, or fresh berries for an indulgent and satisfying breakfast.

Notes

Using day-old bread helps it absorb the custard better without becoming too mushy.
Feel free to substitute cream cheese with mascarpone or ricotta for a slightly different flavor.
This dish can be prepared the night before, making it ideal for brunch or holiday mornings.
If you prefer, add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard for extra warmth and flavor.
Ensure the baking dish is well greased or use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Letting the dish sit at room temperature before baking helps ensure even cooking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American