Strawberry French Toast Casserole

This sweet strawberry French toast casserole made with bread cubes, strawberries, and cream cheese is easy to make ahead for a sensational brunch dish.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 433 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 12 slices home-style white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes, divided
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cold cream cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 12 large eggs
• 1.5 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 0.33333334326744 cup pure maple syrup

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Generously grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 3

Pour half-and-half into a blender; pulse for a few seconds. Blend eggs into half-and-half until fully incorporated. Add maple syrup and blend until smooth. Pour mixture evenly over bread mixture. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Step 4

Remove baking dish from refrigerator 45 minutes before baking.

Step 5

Bake the covered casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and continue baking until French toast is puffed and golden brown, about 30 more minutes.

Step 6

Stir sugar, water, and cornstarch together in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until mixture has thickened, about 5 minutes. Mix in 1 cup sliced strawberries; cook and stir until strawberries have softened, about 10 minutes. Add butter; stir until melted. Serve hot over French toast.

Step 7

Arrange half the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish. Evenly distribute cream cheese cubes over the bread cube layer; sprinkle 1 ½ cups sliced strawberries atop cream cheese layer. Layer the remaining bread cubes over strawberry layer.