Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole: The Ultimate Brunch Comfort Food
Brunch is one of those meals that seem to bring people together in the best way possible. It’s relaxed yet indulgent, a perfect way to enjoy time with family or friends. When it comes to the perfect brunch dish, few recipes are as universally loved as French toast. But what if you could take this classic breakfast favorite and elevate it to a whole new level? Enter the Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole, a decadent, comforting, and utterly irresistible dish that will have your guests asking for seconds. With rich cream cheese filling, soft layers of bread, and a cinnamon-sugar crumble topping, this casserole takes all the best elements of French toast and turns them into one big, shareable, and easy-to-make treat. This dish is perfect for any gathering, whether it’s a holiday brunch, a birthday celebration, or just a casual Sunday morning with the family.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 9 hours, 25 minutes (includes overnight chilling)
- Yield: Serves 12 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 (12-14 ounce) loaf French bread, sourdough bread, or challah
The bread is the foundation of this casserole, and choosing the right type is essential. French bread, sourdough, or challah all work beautifully because they have a slightly chewy texture and a neutral flavor that pairs perfectly with the custard. These breads also hold up well to the soaking process, absorbing the custard without becoming too soggy. For an even richer flavor, you could try using brioche. - 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
This is the secret ingredient that takes your French toast casserole from good to great. The cream cheese adds a rich, tangy flavor that balances out the sweetness of the dish and creates a smooth, creamy texture throughout. Make sure to use full-fat brick cream cheese for the best results; spreadable cream cheese will not have the same texture. - 2 Tablespoons (15g) confectioners’ sugar
This small amount of powdered sugar helps to sweeten the cream cheese filling without overpowering it. It gives the cream cheese a subtle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory bread and cinnamon. - 3 teaspoons (15ml) pure vanilla extract, divided
Vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the casserole, enhancing both the custard and the cream cheese filling. It’s one of those ingredients that really brings all the flavors together. - 8 large eggs
Eggs are the base of the custard mixture that soaks into the bread. They help to create a rich, smooth texture and hold everything together. The eggs provide the necessary structure to ensure the casserole holds its shape while baking. - 2 and 1/4 cups (540ml) whole milk
Whole milk adds creaminess to the custard. While you could substitute with lower-fat milk or dairy alternatives, whole milk will give the casserole the best, richest flavor and texture. - 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cinnamon is a must-have for any French toast recipe. It infuses the bread with a warm, cozy spice that pairs perfectly with the sweet cream cheese filling and crumb topping. - 2/3 cup (133g) packed light brown sugar
Light brown sugar contributes a subtle caramel flavor to the custard, as well as a bit of extra moisture. It adds sweetness while complementing the cinnamon and vanilla.
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1/3 cup (69g) packed light brown sugar
The brown sugar in the crumb topping creates a rich, caramelized sweetness that balances the creamy, tangy filling. It also helps form a crisp, golden-brown topping as the casserole bakes. - 1/3 cup (41g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
Flour is used to give the topping structure and help create the perfect crumbly texture. Make sure to spoon and level the flour when measuring to avoid adding too much. - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Just like the cinnamon in the custard, this spice in the topping adds warmth and complexity to the overall flavor profile. It makes the dish smell divine while it bakes. - 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Butter is key to creating a rich, flavorful topping that melts into the casserole. Cold, cubed butter is essential for achieving that crumbly, streusel-like texture. - Optional: maple syrup and/or confectioners’ sugar for topping
For an extra touch of sweetness, serve the casserole with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar. These optional toppings enhance the dessert-like quality of the dish, though it’s still perfectly delicious without them.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Bread
Start by greasing your 9×13-inch baking pan (or any 3-4 quart oven-safe dish) with nonstick spray. This ensures that the casserole doesn’t stick to the pan and makes cleanup easier. Slice the loaf of bread into cubes that are about 1 inch in size. Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking pan, making sure they are distributed evenly across the bottom.
Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
In a separate mixing bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment to beat the room temperature cream cheese on medium-high speed until it’s completely smooth. This step is crucial because any lumps of cream cheese will disrupt the texture of the casserole. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract until fully combined. Drop spoonfuls of this smooth, creamy mixture randomly on top of the bread cubes. Don’t worry about it being perfect—just try to make sure the cream cheese is spread out enough that every bite will have some cream cheese filling.
Step 3: Layer the Bread and Cream Cheese
Once the cream cheese is spread, add the remaining bread cubes on top. Again, make sure the bread is evenly spread, but feel free to leave some exposed cream cheese on top for visual appeal. This will create a nice contrast when the casserole bakes.
Step 4: Prepare the Custard Mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and the remaining 2 and 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved and there are no lumps of cinnamon or brown sugar. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the bread and cream cheese layers, ensuring that all the bread is soaked in the custard. Press down gently to ensure that the bread absorbs the liquid, but don’t worry if some pieces of bread stick out a little. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.
Step 5: Prepare the Crumb Topping
The next day, when you’re ready to bake the casserole, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). While the oven is heating, prepare the crumb topping by whisking the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If you prefer a smoother topping, you can also use a food processor for this step. Once the topping is ready, sprinkle it evenly over the soaked bread mixture.
Step 6: Bake the Casserole
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake it uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is set in the middle. If you prefer a softer, more custard-like casserole, bake it for 45 minutes. For a firmer, crunchier top, bake it closer to 55 minutes. Either way, your kitchen will be filled with the delicious aroma of cinnamon, vanilla, and butter.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Once the casserole is done, let it cool for a few minutes before serving. You can drizzle it with maple syrup or dust it with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness, though it’s perfectly delicious without either. Serve it warm and enjoy the reactions from your guests as they take their first bite of this heavenly, comfort-filled dish.
Notes
- Add-ins: Feel free to add fresh fruit like blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries between the layers of bread for a fruity twist.
- Nutty Topping: Try adding chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping for added texture and flavor.
- Vegan Option: For a dairy-free version, substitute the cream cheese with vegan cream cheese and use almond or oat milk instead of whole milk.