Strawberry-Rosemary French Toast Casserole
A baked French toast casserole bursting with fresh strawberries and infused with fresh rosemary, perfect for a festive and fragrant Mother's Day breakfast. This american-inspired breakfast ready in about 65 minutes combines large eggs, whole milk, heavy cream 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 380 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.
Ingredients
- 8 cups day-old brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 tbsp butter, for greasing
- optional powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 2 tbsp butter.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary until fully combined.
- Step 3: Place 8 cups cubed day-old brioche bread into the prepared dish. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently to soak the bread.
- Step 4: Scatter 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries over the top, lightly pressing them into the custard-soaked bread.
- Step 5: Cover the dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
- Step 6: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake covered with foil at 350°F for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the top is golden and the custard is set.
- Step 7: Let cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Strawberry-Rosemary French Toast Casserole take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 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 Strawberry-Rosemary 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 Strawberry-Rosemary 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 Strawberry-Rosemary 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 Strawberry-Rosemary French Toast Casserole?
American breakfast 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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