If your idea of the perfect morning includes something cozy, creamy, just the right amount of sweet, and fuss-free, then this Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is about to win your heart (and tastebuds). Imagine all the warm flavors of classic French toast, but with plush cubes of bread, ribbons of tangy cream cheese, and a buttery, cinnamon-speckled crumb top—all baked together in one dreamy dish. It’s a make-ahead brunch superstar that’s delectable enough for holidays, but easy enough for any weekend you want to make extra special!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prep everything the night before and wake up to a ready-to-bake breakfast—no early morning hustle required!
- Cream Cheese Clouds: Pockets of sweetened whipped cream cheese melt into the casserole, making every bite indulgently creamy and dreamy.
- Crumbly, Buttery Topping: The cinnamon-brown sugar crumble bakes up golden and crisp, like the ultimate coffee cake meets French toast experience.
- Perfect for a Crowd: This Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole feeds a houseful, making it brunch-party gold or ideal for family sleepovers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is truly in the sum of its simple, wholesome ingredients. Each component—from the rich eggs to the tangy cream cheese—plays a crucial role in creating that irresistible, bakery-worthy flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- French bread, sourdough, or challah (12-14 oz): Day-old bread is best for soaking up the custard and becoming perfectly plush inside while getting golden edges on top.
- Full-fat brick cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Gives the casserole its signature creamy swirls; make sure it’s room temp for easy mixing.
- Confectioners’ sugar (2 Tbsp): Adds just the right touch of sweetness to the cream cheese layer—don’t skip it!
- Pure vanilla extract (3 tsp, divided): Enhances every single layer with warm, bakery-fresh aroma.
- Large eggs (8): The backbone of your custard, making the casserole fluffy and set just right.
- Whole milk (2 1/4 cups): Adds richness and ensures the bread soaks up plenty of creamy goodness.
- Ground cinnamon (3/4 tsp + 1/2 tsp for crumb): Brings warm spice to both the custard and the crumbly topping.
- Packed light brown sugar (2/3 cup for custard + 1/3 cup for crumb): Deepens flavor and pairs beautifully with the cinnamon.
- All-purpose flour (1/3 cup, spooned & leveled): The secret to a soft, just-right crumble top.
- Unsalted butter (6 Tbsp, cold and cubed): Bakes up into that irresistible, bakery-quality crumbly topping.
- Optional: maple syrup and/or extra confectioners’ sugar: The perfect finishing touch for serving!
Variations
One of the best things about this casserole is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you’re looking to incorporate fruit, accommodate allergies, or simply spice things up, the Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is wonderfully adaptable—so you can truly make it your own.
- Berry Burst: Scatter fresh blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries between the layers for pops of juicy sweetness and sunny color.
- Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the topping before baking for added texture and toastiness.
- Gluten-Free Swap: Use your favorite gluten-free loaf to make the dish celiac-friendly—just be sure it’s sturdy, not too soft.
- Holiday Twist: Replace cinnamon with pumpkin spice in the custard and topping for autumn vibes, or add in orange zest and cranberries for the winter holidays.
How to Make Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
Step 1: Prep the Bread and Cream Cheese Layer
Start by cubing your day-old bread into hearty, one-inch pieces—this ensures every bite is soft inside with just the right amount of crunch on top. Lay half the bread cubes snugly in your greased baking pan. Then, whip the room temperature cream cheese until it’s completely smooth, beat in the confectioners’ sugar and a bit of vanilla, and drop luscious spoonfuls all over your bread. Don’t worry about making it perfect—the random pockets will bake up beautifully creamy!
Step 2: Add the Remaining Bread & Soak Overnight
Scatter the rest of your bread cubes over the top, making sure some of the cream cheese peeks out (it’ll look extra inviting once baked!). In a bowl, whisk together your eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Pour this custard evenly over all the bread, pressing down gently so every piece gets a little moisture love. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let everything soak in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours, but overnight is when the magic really happens.
Step 3: Top with Cinnamon Crumble
When you’re ready to bake, prepare your crumb topping: mix brown sugar, flour, and extra cinnamon, then cut in the cold butter until you have pea-sized, sandy bits. Sprinkle this mixture generously over your soaked casserole—don’t be shy!—for that outrageously good, bakery-worthy crunch.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake uncovered in a preheated 350°F oven for 45-55 minutes. For a softer, custardy center, stick closer to 45 minutes; if you like a little more structure, go for the higher end. The top should be golden, the edges bubbling, and your kitchen will smell like pure comfort. Let it cool for just a few minutes, then drizzle with maple syrup or dust with extra confectioners’ sugar before serving warm!
Pro Tips for Making Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
- Bread Choice is Everything: Use sturdy, day-old bread like challah or sourdough—a softer bread will turn mushy, but something with good chew will hold up to all the creamy custard.
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Be sure your cream cheese is truly softened before whipping; this creates those dreamy, cloud-like pockets instead of lumpy bits.
- Soak for Success: Don’t rush the soak! Giving your casserole a proper overnight rest lets every bread cube absorb the custard for the best possible texture.
- Fresh Crumb Topping: For max crunch, make and add the crumb topping right before baking instead of ahead of time—this keeps it perfectly crisp and bakery-delicious.
How to Serve Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
Garnishes
This casserole absolutely shines with a finishing touch! A dusting of confectioners’ sugar looks magical and adds a gentle sweetness, while a drizzle of warm maple syrup takes every bite over the top. To dress things up for brunch, scatter on some fresh berries or toasted nuts for color and crunch.
Side Dishes
Balance out the richness of your Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole with savory sides like crisp bacon, breakfast sausage, or a colorful mixed fruit salad. If you want to keep it light, Greek yogurt or a citrus salad adds the perfect pop of freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun spin, serve the casserole as individual squares stacked with berries and a dollop of whipped cream, or bake mini versions in ramekins for personalized brunch treats. Plating on a rustic wooden board with a pitcher of syrup nearby is my go-to for effortlessly stunning brunch tables.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any leftover casserole tightly and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The flavors continue to meld, and it reheats beautifully, making it a breakfast win all week long!
Freezing
This casserole is super freezer-friendly. You can assemble the casserole (before baking) and freeze tightly wrapped for up to 2 months, or freeze leftover baked portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as needed—it’s a lifesaver for busy mornings or unexpected guests!
Reheating
Warm individual servings in the microwave until heated through, or cover the whole casserole with foil and bake at 300°F until hot and steamy (about 20 minutes). The crumb topping will crisp up again in the oven, restoring that fresh-baked magic.
FAQs
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What kind of bread works best for Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole?
Day-old French bread, sourdough, or challah are all fantastic choices. The key is to use something sturdy and a bit dry so it can soak up the custard without turning mushy. Avoid super soft sandwich bread for the best results.
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Can I prepare this casserole in advance?
Absolutely! Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is an ideal make-ahead dish. Assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate, then just top and bake in the morning. The flavors are even better after an overnight soak.
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Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite non-dairy cream cheese, use plant-based milk, and a buttery dairy-free spread for the crumb topping. The texture will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious and satisfying.
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Can I halve the recipe for a smaller group?
Definitely. Halve every ingredient and use an 8-inch or 9-inch baking dish. The baking time will be a bit shorter—usually around 30-35 minutes. Keep an eye out for a golden top and set center.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re planning a holiday brunch, a cozy weekend breakfast, or just want to treat yourself (and your loved ones!) to something unforgettable, this Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole truly delivers. Every bite is creamy, custardy, and just the right amount of decadent—so gather your ingredients, make it ahead, and get ready to start a new favorite breakfast tradition!
Print
Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 9 hours, 25 minutes
- Yield: serves 12 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in this decadent Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole for a delightful breakfast or brunch treat. Creamy, sweet cream cheese is layered between cubes of bread soaked in a vanilla-infused custard, topped with a buttery crumb topping, and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
French Toast Casserole:
- 1 (12-14 ounce) loaf french bread, sourdough bread, or challah
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 Tablespoons (15g) confectioners’ sugar
- 3 teaspoons (15ml) pure vanilla extract, divided
- 8 large eggs
- 2 and 1/4 cups (540ml) whole milk
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2/3 cup (133g) packed light brown sugar
Crumb Topping:
- 1/3 cup (69g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup (41g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- optional: maple syrup and/or confectioners’ sugar for topping
Instructions
- Prepare French Toast Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Slice and cube the bread, then layer half in the pan. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and 1/4 tsp vanilla until smooth. Spoon over bread. Layer remaining bread on top.
- Soak: Whisk eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and remaining vanilla. Pour over bread. Refrigerate at least 3-4 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Crumb Topping: Combine brown sugar, flour, cinnamon. Cut in butter. Sprinkle over soaked bread.
- Bake: Uncover and bake at 350°F for 45-55 minutes. Serve with maple syrup or confectioners’ sugar.
Notes
- Prepare ahead by refrigerating up to 24 hours.
- Freeze casserole for up to 2 months.
- Day-old bread works best.
- Quality cream cheese is key for flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 309mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 171mg
