Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Aug. 15, 2024
This Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake is easily prepared the night before. It’s the perfect treat for holiday breakfasts or weekend brunches.
In This Article
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Why This Recipe Stands Out
This Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake is the best option for a sweet breakfast recipe in a cinch. Here’s why:
- Tastes Like Cheesecake: This French toast bake is basically the breakfast-approved version of cheesecake.
- Meal Prep Casserole: Strawberry French Toast Bake is made to be assembled the night before, making it a key recipe in our arsenal of make ahead dishes.
- Fresh Strawberries: It works amazingly for slightly overripe berries when they need to be used up.
- Crowd Pleaser: This recipe makes a whopping 12 servings and can easily be doubled, making it perfect for family gatherings and brunches.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Strawberries – Fresh strawberries pair amazingly with the cream cheese in this recipe.
- French Bread – We find that French bread holds up the best for French Toast Bake since it sits overnight.
- Cream Cheese – Cream cheese makes this French Toast Bake taste like cheesecake. Make sure to reach for the regular version.
- Eggs – Eggs act as the base for the custard in this recipe and add a boost of protein.
- Whole Milk – Whole milk makes this French toast creamy and velvety.
- Half and Half – You can either use half and half or heavy cream. Either one will boost the fat content and make our breakfast bake even creamier.
- Maple Syrup – The hint of maple makes all the difference in the flavor of this recipe.
Substitutions And Variations
Check out our favorite variations for Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake:
- Change the Fruit: Feel free to swap the strawberries in this recipe for raspberries, blackberries, cherries, peaches, apricots, or blueberries like in this Blueberry French Toast Casserole.
- Omit the Cream Cheese: If you aren’t a cheesecake fan, check out our recipe for Make-Ahead French Toast Casserole for a cream cheese-free version.
- Add Toppings: While this Strawberry French Toast Bake stands tall on its own, we always love some fancy toppings. Try adding a dollop of Stabilized Whipped Cream and a sprinkle of Candied Pecans to this dish.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- With a stand mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add sugar and beat until incorporated. Mix in one egg and lemon juice. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients until combined. Set aside.
- Layer ingredients in casserole dish starting with bread, then cream cheese mixture, then strawberries. Once ingredients are layered, pour cream mixture over the entire casserole. Chill overnight.
- Bake casserole at 350F for 30 minutes covered and 30 minutes uncovered. Let cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Commonly Asked Questions
Strawberry French Toast Casserole will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It also freezes well! Just wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 3 months. You can simply reheat in the oven or microwave.
One thing that could make your casserole soggy is using bread that is too soft. We find it’s best to use a sturdier bread (like French bread) when we’re letting the casserole sit overnight. That way, the bread soaks up the custard while holding together. If your casserole is still turning out soggy, you may want to try baking it a little longer.
Yes! We still recommend letting the casserole sit in the fridge for at least an hour though. If making your French Toast Bake the day of, turn to a softer kind of bread like brioche. You wont have to worry about it getting too soggy since it’s soaking for less time.
For a savory breakfast casserole, we love baking this Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole and this Sweet Potato Sausage Casserole.
Lemon juice helps balance the sweeter flavors of this dish all while enhancing the tastes of the cream cheese and strawberries.
Did you make this?
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Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake
Ingredients
- 2 cups freshly sliced strawberries, the sweeter the better
- 1 ½ loaves French bread, sliced into 1-inch thick slices, 20 slices total
- 16 oz regular cream cheese, softened to room temp
- 1 cup sugar
- 11 large eggs
- 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup half-and-half , OR heavy cream
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish and set aside. Using a stand mixer or electric mixer, beat cream cheese on medium high until light and fluffy. Whisk in sugar to fully incorporate. Mix in 1 of the eggs and the lemon juice; set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients until well combined and set aside.
- Layer 10 slices of the French bread on bottom of baking dish. Spread two-thirds of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bread. Place half of the sliced strawberries on top evenly. Repeat layering with remaining slices of bread, cream cheese mixture, and strawberries.
- Slowly and evenly pour the egg mixture over the top of all the layers, pressing down a bit so that all the bread gets coated with some of the egg mixture. Cover tightly with foil and chill overnight.
- Remove from fridge and let sit at room temperature while you preheat oven to 350F. Bake 30 minutes, covered. Bake for another 30 minute uncovered, until top is nicely golden brown and puffy throughout – center should be puffy and feel set, rather than jiggly.
- Let rest at room temp 15 minutes before serving. Serve with maple syrup or as-is.
Notes
- Actual bake time varies depending on individual ovens.
- This French Toast Bake is delicious as leftovers, straight from the fridge, if you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers!
- Make sure to cover your French Toast Bake for the first 30 minutes of baking. This will prevent it from getting too crispy on top.
- Top Strawberry French Toast Bake with Stabilized Whipped Cream and a sprinkle of Cinnamon Sugar Candied Pecans.
Nutrition (per serving)
More To Bake And Eat
- French Toast Bake – Light, fluffy, and buttery, this French Toast Bake is the perfect comforting breakfast any time of the year.
- Strawberry Chocolate Baked Oatmeal – We can’t get enough of this baked oatmeal with fresh, juicy strawberries and chocolate. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to make!
- Easy Crepes Recipe – These buttery crepes are great filled with Nutella and strawberries.
- Easy Sticky Buns – Easy Sticky Buns are truly addictive. They resemble monkey bread and are bursting with cinnamon, nutty flavor.
- Upside Down Apple French Toast – This Apple French Toast Bake lets us sleep in and still enjoy a hearty breakfast baked with spiced apple flavor.