Strawberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
Strawberry French Toast Casserole is a decadent and easy-to-make breakfast dish featuring cubed day-old bread soaked in a rich custard blend, layered with fresh diced strawberries and sweet strawberry preserves, then baked to golden perfection. This casserole offers a perfect balance of fruity sweetness and creamy texture, making it an ideal brunch centerpiece for family gatherings or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 6 cups day-old bread or French bread, cubed
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Fruit
- 1/4 cup strawberry preserves
- 2 cups strawberries, diced
Custard Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Begin by cubing 6 cups of day-old French bread into bite-sized pieces. This ensures the bread will absorb the custard mixture well without becoming too soggy.
- Layer Bread and Preserves: In a greased casserole dish, spread half of the bread cubes evenly. Dot with half of the 1/4 cup strawberry preserves and sprinkle half of the diced strawberries over the top.
- Repeat Layering: Add the remaining bread cubes over the first layer. Then top with the rest of the strawberry preserves and diced strawberries, creating a beautiful layered effect.
- Make Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 cups of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup brown sugar until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Combine Custard and Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread and strawberries, pressing gently to ensure all bread pieces absorb the liquid. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to soak.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled casserole for 45-50 minutes or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. This helps the casserole to firm up, making it easier to cut and serve.
Notes
- Using day-old bread is critical for optimal soaking; fresh bread may become too mushy.
- Feel free to substitute strawberries with other berries like blueberries or raspberries for variation.
- For extra richness, replace some of the milk with cream.
- This casserole can be prepared the night before and refrigerated overnight for convenience.
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard for added flavor.
- Serve with maple syrup or powdered sugar for additional sweetness.
Keywords: strawberry, french toast casserole, breakfast casserole, baked french toast, strawberry preserves, brunch
