This Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast Bake is easily prepared the night before. It's a delicious morning treat for a crowd or just the family, any time of year!
Prep Time: 20 minutesmins
Cook Time: 1 hourhr
Total Time: 1 hourhr20 minutesmins
Servings: 12
Ingredients
2cupsfreshly sliced strawberries, the sweeter the better
1 ½loavesFrench bread, about 22 oz, sliced into 1-inch thick slices (20 slices total)
2packagesregular cream cheese, 16 oz total, softened to room temp
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.) Note that actual bake time varies depending on individual ovens.
Let rest at room temp 15 minutes before serving. Serve with maple syrup or as-is.
Notes
This French Toast Bake is delicious as leftovers, straight from the fridge, if you're lucky enough to have any leftovers!