Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe (2024)

Feb 13, 2024 · 10 Comments

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This Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole showcases fresh strawberries and a creamy, sweet whipped cream cheese between layers of soft, fluffy French toast. It's perfect to make ahead and an absolute winner for brunches and holidays.

Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

This make-ahead overnight Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole takes breakfast or brunch to the next level of decadence. With layers of fresh strawberries and creamy, tangy cream cheese cheesecake between layers of soft, fluffy French toast. It's basically like having cheesecake for breakfast.

The best part about this casserole, other than that it's absolutely stunning to look at it and scrumptious to eat, is that it's super easy to make ahead or freeze, which makes it a winner for special occasions and brunches.

Do I Have to Wait 8 Hours Before Baking?

No. I have had success baking it after about 30 minutes to an hour when I was particularly impatient. It was a little more tender and soft when leaving it overnight, but you can bake right away if you really need to.

What Kind of Bread Should I Use?

The recipe calls for French bread. However, you can use any hearty, thick bread, such as Italian, challah, brioche, sourdough, or even a cinnamon swirl loaf. Just make sure it's about 16 to 24 ounces total weight, as slice size will vary depending on the variety.

Stay away from super soft breads such as classic white bread. They won't hold up to the wet French toast mixture.

Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Variations

If you're looking to add a little variety or change things up, you can try these suggestions.

Other fruits: add other fruits or substitute the strawberries completely. Some fruits that would work well include bananas, blueberries, cherries (pitted), raspberries, or blackberries.
Cream cheese flavors: The recipe calls for plain cream cheese, but you can also use a fun flavor like cinnamon or a fruity flavor like strawberry or blueberry.
Chocolate chips: Strawberries and chocolate go together like PB&J. Add some chocolate chips sprinkled in when you add the strawberries for a little extra decadence.
Nuts: Chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts would be delicious in the casserole with the strawberries or sprinkled on top with the topping.

What to Serve with Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

I think this casserole drizzled with the strawberry maple syrup is super filling and satisfying. But if you're looking to round out the meal, you can serve it with fresh fruit, berries, or our family favorite fruit salad.

You can also add a little protein by serving it with fried, scrambled, or boiled eggs on the side or a big scoop of Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

More Make Ahead Breakfast Recipes You'll Love

Blueberry Banana French Toast Casserole - a sweet breakfast casserole with bright, fresh blueberries and creamy, sweet bananas.
Crockpot Breakfast Casserole - a savory breakfast casserole with all of the best parts about breakfast including hashbrowns, eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, and cheese, all in the slow cooker!
Freezer Breakfast Burritos - make these burritos ahead of time, personalize the toppings to your taste, and then heat them up quickly in the microwave or the oven.
Chocolate Pancakes - super decadent and rich, these chocolate pancakes are simple to make, but best of all they're easy to freeze and reheat.
Blueberry Muffins with Crumb Topping - a favorite recipe from my grandma. These are easy to make a day or two ahead and also easy to freeze. Try this family favorite recipe with ripe, juicy blueberries in a sweet vanilla muffin with a crispy streusel on top.

Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Video

Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

Have cheesecake for breakfast with Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake! Fresh strawberries, creamy cheesecake spread, and a graham cracker topping!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 275kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

▢ 1 large loaf French bread (1 to 1½ pounds) sliced (about 20-24 slices)
▢ 1 pound strawberries sliced
▢ 8 eggs
▢ ½ cup milk
▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the Cheesecake Filling

▢ 8 ounces cream cheese softened
▢ ⅓ cup sugar
▢ 1 egg
▢ 1 teaspoon lemon juice

For topping:

▢ 3 graham crackers crushed
▢ 1½ tablespoons melted butter

For Syrup (optional):

▢ ½ cup Strawberry jam or preserves
▢ ½ cup maple syrup

Instructions

In a medium bowl, beat together all cheesecake filling ingredients until fully mixed and smooth.
Spread cream cheese mixture over about ⅔ of your bread slices (about 16-18 of the slices).
Place half of the bread with cream cheese in the bottom of a large baking dish.
Sprinkle ⅓ of the strawberries on top the bread with cream cheese.
Repeat bread and strawberry layers once more.
Cube the remaining bread slices and spread on top of your last layer.
Sprinkle the remaining strawberries on top.
In a large bowl, beat together eggs and milk until blended well. Add cinnamon and beat again.
Pour egg mixture in the baking dish over your cubed bread slices.
Cover with foil and lightly press everything down to flatten and allow the bread to soak up the egg mixture. Place in refrigerator overnight.
In the morning, take the dish out of the fridge and allow it to rest while waiting for your oven to preheat to 350°F.
To make the crumb topping, mix 3 crushed graham crackers and 1-½ T melted butter with a fork. Sprinkle over french toast before baking and recover.
Bake covered at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 25-30 minutes.

To Make the Syrup:

Combine strawberry jam and maple syrup in a bowl. Microwave for about 30 seconds at a time until mixture is smooth and warm. Drizzle over finished Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast Bake before serving.

Notes

Nutrition does not include syrup or other toppings.

Storage: Cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.
Freezer Directions: Prepare the topping. Place in a baggy and in the container with the prepared, unbaked casserole. Cover and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed, until heated all the way through. Alternately, the casserole can be frozen after baking for up to 3 months.Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm up in a 350°F oven for 35 minutes or until warm in the center.

Nutrition

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