Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is a rich and indulgent breakfast dish featuring layers of bread, sweet blueberries, and creamy cheese baked to golden perfection.

It’s perfect for weekend mornings or special occasions!

Ingredients:

For the Casserole:

• 1 loaf of French bread or brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into small cubes
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

For the Topping:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

Optional: Maple syrup or powdered sugar for serving

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Casserole:
   Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the bread cubes evenly in the dish. Sprinkle with half of the blueberries and half of the cream cheese cubes. Repeat the layering with the remaining bread, blueberries, and cream cheese.
2. Make the Egg Mixture:
   In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using). Pour the mixture evenly over the bread layers, pressing down gently to ensure the bread absorbs the liquid. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
3. Prepare the Topping:
   In a small bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
4. Bake the Casserole:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and sprinkle the topping evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the center is set.
5. Serve:
   Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with maple syrup if desired.

This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is a luscious dish that’s easy to prepare and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Perfect for brunch gatherings or holiday breakfasts!