Creamy Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast Casserole
A luscious French toast casserole featuring thick slices of brioche layered with a creamy cream cheese filling and fresh strawberries, soaked overnight in a cinnamon-vanilla custard and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for indulgent weekend breakfasts or brunch gatherings.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: Overnight soak plus 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche or challah bread (about 12 ounces / 340 grams), sliced thickly
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries (about 225 grams), hulled and sliced
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat recommended)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar (30 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups whole milk (480 ml)
- ½ cup heavy cream (120 ml)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for greasing)
Instructions
- Prepare the cream cheese filling by beating the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. Set aside.
- Slice the brioche into thick slices about 1 to 1 ½ inches thick. Hull and slice the strawberries thinly.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with melted butter. Arrange half of the bread slices in a single layer.
- Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture over each bread slice, then scatter sliced strawberries on top.
- Place the remaining bread slices over the top, creating a sandwich-like layer.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
- Slowly pour the custard evenly over the layered bread, pressing gently to help soak it. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, until the top is golden and the custard is set (a knife inserted should come out clean).
- Let the casserole cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
Use day-old brioche or challah bread for best custard absorption and texture. Soak the casserole overnight or at least 4 hours for a creamy custard interior. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil halfway through baking. Press bread gently into custard to avoid dry spots. For gluten-free, use gluten-free brioche-style bread. For dairy-free, substitute cream cheese and milk with plant-based alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of ca
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Protein: 10
Keywords: French toast casserole, strawberry, cream cheese, breakfast casserole, brunch, easy breakfast, custard soaked bread, creamy filling