French Toast Casserole with Cream Cheese

French toast is a breakfast staple for good reason. It’s made with simple ingredients (bread, milk and eggs) to produce a hearty morning meal. Only one recipe makes French toast even better: French toast casserole with cream cheese.

Instead of dunking individual slices of bread into an egg mixture, this French toast casserole is prepared all at once in a baking dish. The bread is layered together with cream cheese, milk, eggs and maple syrup and left to soak overnight in the refrigerator. By morning, the breakfast casserole is ready to be popped in the oven.

Ingredients for French Toast Casserole with Cream Cheese

• Bread: This casserole is a good way to use up almost-stale bread. Bread serves as the base for any French toast recipe. Consider using French bread, brioche, sourdough or challah.
• Cream cheese: For the best results, cut the cream cheese into cubes right after pulling it out of the fridge.
• Eggs: Eggs help create the custard-like filling of this French toast casserole recipe with cream cheese.
• Milk: Milk, the liquid used in this recipe, plays a role in creating a soft texture.
• Maple syrup: Maple syrup flavors this French toast casserole. It’s whisked in with the eggs and milk before baking, plus additional maple syrup is used at serving time.

Directions

Step 1: Layer the bread and cream cheese

Grease a shallow 2-quart baking dish. Arrange half the bread cubes in the baking dish. Top with the cream cheese and the remaining bread.

Step 2: Whisk together the egg mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and maple syrup. Pour the mixture over the bread.

Step 3: Let rest overnight

Cover the baking dish and refrigerate overnight.

Step 4: Bake and serve

Remove the French toast casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden brown.

Serve with additional maple syrup.

MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME

Recipe Variations

• Pair with chopped bacon: You know everything pairs well with bacon. Try sprinkling chopped, cooked bacon on top of the casserole before serving for a sweet and salty pairing.
• Add fruit: Sprinkle berries over the bread before pouring the egg mixture over the top.
• Include nuts: Walnuts or pecans would add a bit of crunch to this breakfast dish. Sprinkle them on top before baking, or use them as a garnish.
• Top with streusel: A simple crumbly streusel would enhance this dish tenfold. Make homemade streusel with butter, flour and sugar, then sprinkle it over the bread before baking.

How to Store French Toast Casserole with Cream Cheese

Made with eggs and milk, this French toast casserole recipe with cream cheese should be stored in the refrigerator. Keep any leftovers covered in the baking dish or stored in an airtight container.

How long does French toast casserole with cream cheese last?

Stored in the refrigerator, this French toast casserole will last up to three days.

Can you freeze French toast casserole with cream cheese?

Yes, store the baked casserole in an airtight container for up to three months in the freezer. You can also freeze the prepared, unbaked casserole in the freezer for up to two months.

How do you reheat French toast casserole with cream cheese?

If you’ve stored leftovers in the fridge, reheat this casserole in the microwave or in the oven until warm. If the casserole has been stored in the freezer, transfer it to the fridge to thaw before reheating.

Can you make French toast casserole with cream cheese ahead of time?

Yes, this French toast casserole recipe with cream cheese is an excellent make-ahead breakfast dish. Prep the bread with the egg-milk mixture poured over the top and leave it in the refrigerator for 24 hours. This allows the liquid to moisten the bread for a wonderful, soft texture after baking.

The casserole could also be prepped ahead of time to have on hand in the freezer for any occasion. Make the full French toast casserole and store it unbaked in the freezer for up to two months.

French Toast Casserole with Cream Cheese Tips

MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME

How do you prevent a soggy breakfast casserole?

To avoid a soggy breakfast casserole, measure accurately for the ideal ratio of liquid to bread. Leaving the prepared casserole in the fridge for too long can also cause it to become soggy. If you hope to prepare it more than 24 hours ahead of time, freeze the unbaked casserole instead.

What can you serve with French toast casserole?

Serve pieces of French toast casserole alongside sausage links or crispy bacon, a fruit salad and scrambled eggs.

Can you make French Toast casserole gluten-free or dairy-free?

Absolutely. This French toast casserole recipe with cream cheese is easily customizable. You can certainly choose to use gluten-free bread. To accommodate a dairy-free diet, the cream cheese can be left out, and you can swap the milk for nondairy milk.