Name: Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf (16 ounces) brioche or challah sliced into 1-inch cubes; 12 ounces blueberries (two 6 oz. half pints); 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (two 8 ounce blocks); 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 6 eggs at room temperature; 2 cups half and half at room temperature; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Blueberry sauce; Berry syrup like boysenberry (store-bought is great); Maple syrup; Strawberry syrup

There's something downright comforting about waking up to a warm, fruity breakfast like this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe. It’s creamy, berry-filled, and downright impressive without any complicated tricks—perfect for lazy weekends or holiday mornings when you want to feed a crowd with ease.

This image shows a white baking dish filled with a layered bread pudding with blueberries. The bottom and middle layers are made of golden-brown toasted bread cubes that have a soft, moist texture. Scattered evenly between and on top of the bread cubes are fresh, deep blue blueberries adding a pop of color. The surface of the pudding looks slightly shiny and custardy, with the edges of the bread browned and crisp. A golden spoon is partially scooping out a serving, showing the layers and some of the blueberries inside. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe—it stole the show at brunch instantly. Beyond just tasting delicious, it’s a recipe that feels special but invites you to relax, knowing it’s mostly hands-off once assembled.

Creamy, tangy filling: The cream cheese custard adds richness and just the right hint of lemon brightness that pairs beautifully with juicy blueberries.
Make ahead friendly: You can prep it the night before, giving the bread plenty of time to soak up the custard and develop incredible flavor.
Impress with minimal effort: This casserole feeds a crowd but requires just a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
Versatile serving options: Whether you love it with blueberry sauce, classic maple syrup, or a berry syrup of your choice, it’s ready to shine your way.

A white plate holds a patchwork of soft, golden yellow cake pieces, each soaked and layered unevenly with a thick, glossy, dark purple-blue blueberry sauce and whole blueberries. The blueberries are shiny and juicy, piled generously on top and around chunks of the cake, with some sauce dripping slightly on the plate. A gold spoon rests on the lower right, scooping a mix of both the yellow cake and the rich blueberry topping. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the sturdy bread that holds up to soaking, to the luscious cream cheese custard, each element comes together perfectly when you choose quality ingredients.

Flat lay of a sliced loaf of brioche bread cut into cubes, fresh plump blueberries scattered naturally, two blocks of smooth cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, six whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy half and half, a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl of finely grated lemon zest, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, and a small white ceramic bowl of fine salt, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brioche or Challah Bread: These breads have a tender crumb and slight sweetness which soak up the custard well without turning mushy.
Blueberries: Fresh or frozen works great; they provide bursts of juicy freshness and tartness to balance the richness.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese lends the casserole its signature creamy texture and tang.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the custard smoothly without overpowering the natural flavors.
Eggs: Bind the custard and give that perfect custardy consistency when baked.
Half and Half: Adds richness without being too heavy like pure cream.
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash to lift the entire flavor profile.
Lemon Juice and Zest: Brighten the custard with fresh citrus notes that complement the blueberries beautifully.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the custard and rounds out sweetness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how forgiving this recipe is—feel free to tweak it depending on what you have on hand or your dietary needs. I often swap out the lemon zest for orange for a subtle twist or sprinkle chopped nuts on top for crunch.

Variation: I've made it with frozen blueberries in the dead of winter; no thawing required, just brush excess ice off, and it turns out just as vibrant.
Dairy-free version: Use coconut cream cheese and almond milk instead of half and half, and it still bakes up creamy and dreamy.
Add-ins: A handful of chocolate chips or a sprinkle of cinnamon can add extra warmth and richness if you like.
Serving size flexibility: I sometimes halve the batch in an 8×8-inch pan—it’s perfect for smaller gatherings.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Toast That Bread Just Right

Start by cubing your brioche or challah into one-inch pieces. Toast them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until the edges get a little golden but the centers remain soft. This step adds a subtle crispness, helping the bread soak up the custard without turning into mush. Keep a close eye so the bread doesn't brown too much—you want toasting, not baking at this point.

Step 2: Whip Up That Cream Cheese Custard

Beat the softened cream cheese together with sugar until silky smooth. Then, one by one, add in your room-temperature eggs, half and half, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. The key here is using room temperature ingredients to avoid lumps. If you see small flecks of cream cheese, don’t stress—baking will smooth them out.

Step 3: Layer and Chill Overnight

In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, layer half the toasted bread cubes and half the blueberries, then pour half the custard over. Repeat with remaining bread, berries, and custard. Press gently to submerge the bread in the liquid, then cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Trust me, this step lets all the flavors marry and the bread soak up the custard perfectly.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pull the casserole out of the fridge while you preheat your oven to 350°F. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake uncovered for 15-25 minutes until the custard is set—the knife test is your best friend here. A perfectly baked casserole will be golden on top and just set in the middle.

Top Tip

I’ve made this casserole dozens of times, and these tips can really help you nail it on your first try without wasting ingredients or time. Plus, knowing these little tricks will have you feeling like a brunch pro.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing cream cheese, eggs, and half and half to room temp before mixing keeps your custard smooth and silky – no lumps or curdling.
Don’t Skip Toasting the Bread: A quick toast firms the cubes so they absorb custard without dissolving into mush, especially when you’re soaking overnight.
Press Down Gently: After layering and pouring custard, press the bread lightly to ensure even soaking but avoid compacting it too much for that light texture.
Cover Tightly When Refrigerating: Prevent drying out or fridge odors invading your casserole by sealing it well with foil or plastic wrap.

How to Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

blueberry french toast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of topping this casserole with warm homemade blueberry sauce—the extra burst of juicy sweetness takes it over the top. Sometimes I add a dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh mint leaves just for that elegant touch. Maple syrup is a classic standby if you want something straightforward and cozy.

Side Dishes

Pair this casserole with crispy breakfast sausages or a fresh green salad if you want a light contrast. Fruit salad or a small bowl of yogurt on the side balances the richness and adds freshness to the meal. Trust me, a simple side of scrambled eggs also works wonders!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to bake this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe in individual ramekins – perfect for guests and looks charming on the plate. You can also add a swirled drizzle of berry syrup creating pretty patterns right before serving. It instantly elevates the presentation without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I tightly cover leftover casserole with foil or transfer to an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It keeps wonderfully for up to 5 days—long enough to enjoy for weekday breakfasts or snacks without any loss in flavor or texture.

Freezing

After baking and cooling completely, I wrap leftovers twice in plastic wrap and then foil, which makes freezing a breeze. You can freeze the casserole for up to two months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge—it’s just like freshly made!

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer oven warming at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to keep that lovely texture, but microwaving individual servings for about 30-45 seconds works perfectly for a quick fix. Avoid overheating to keep the cream cheese texture nice and creamy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of bread?

Yes! While brioche or challah make the creamiest casserole, you can use other sturdy breads like French bread or even a dense sandwich bread. Just make sure it’s not too soft or it might get mushy after soaking.

Do I need to soak the casserole overnight?

Overnight soaking is ideal because it helps the bread absorb the custard fully, resulting in fluffier texture and better flavor. However, you can bake it sooner by mixing the custard and bread cubes together for at least 30-60 minutes, but the texture may be a little less custardy.

Can I freeze this casserole?

Yes, you can freeze the casserole after baking. Let it cool completely, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating as directed.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes covered to maintain moisture and prevent drying out. For a quick option, microwave individual servings for 30-45 seconds, but be careful not to overheat.

Final Thoughts

This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe isn’t just a dish—it’s a memory maker. I love how effortless it feels while still tasting like you’ve put in maximum love and care. Give it a try on your next weekend morning, and you might just find yourself making it a tradition for years to come.