Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A luscious baked French toast casserole layered with sweet strawberries and rich cream for a delightful Easter brunch. This american-inspired brunch ready in about 70 minutes combines brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes, fresh strawberries, halved, cream cheese, softened into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 8, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Serves 8 American cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread 8 cups 1-inch brioche cubes evenly in the dish. Dot 8 oz softened cream cheese in small spoonfuls over the bread cubes.
  2. Step 2: Scatter 2 cups halved fresh strawberries evenly over the bread and cream cheese.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 6 large eggs, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon until smooth and combined.
  4. Step 4: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, strawberries, and cream cheese. Press lightly with a spatula to submerge bread.
  5. Step 5: Cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  6. Step 6: Remove foil and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden brown and custard is set.
  7. Step 7: Let cool 10 minutes, dust with powdered sugar if desired, and serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.

How do I store leftover Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole?

American brunch like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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