Best 2 Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in a delightful breakfast or brunch experience with our delectable Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole. This irresistible casserole combines the classic flavors of French toast with the creamy richness of cheese, resulting in a dish that is both satisfying and comforting.

For those with dietary restrictions, we offer two additional recipes: a gluten-free version and a vegan version. The gluten-free casserole utilizes almond flour and coconut milk to create a light and fluffy texture, while the vegan casserole relies on plant-based milk and dairy-free cream cheese to deliver a creamy and flavorful experience.

No matter which recipe you choose, you'll be greeted with a casserole that boasts a golden-brown crust, a tender and custardy interior, and a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors. It's the perfect dish to feed a crowd or enjoy as a special treat for your loved ones.

Let's cook with our recipes!

BAKED CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE



Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole image

Categories     Egg     Bread     Breakfast     Brunch     Bake

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (14 oz) loaf Challah Bread (or french or sour dough)
8 ounces Brick-Style Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
2 tablespoons Confectioners' Sugar
3 teaspoons Vanilla Extract, Divided
8 Large Eggs
2 1/4 cups Whole Milk (or half & half)
3/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
2/3 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
1/3 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar (STREUSEL TOPPING)
1/3 cup All-Purpose Flour (STREUSEL TOPPING)
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (STREUSEL TOPPING)
6 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Cold And Cubed (STREUSEL TOPPING)
1 Fresh Fruit, Maple Syrup, and/or Confectioners' Sugar For Topping (Optional)

Steps:

  • Grease a 9x13 pan with butter or spray with nonstick spray.
  • Slice then cut the bread into cubes, about 1 inch in size. Spread half of the cubes into the prepared baking pan.
  • Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the room temperature (not cold!) cream cheese on medium-high speed until completely smooth.
  • Beat in the confectioners' sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract until combined. Drop random spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top of the bread. Layer the remaining bread cubes on top of cream cheese. Set aside.
  • Whisk the eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and remaining vanilla together until no brown sugar lumps remain. Pour over the bread. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and stick in the refrigerator for 3 hours - overnight. Overnight is best.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Remove pan from the refrigerator.
  • Prepare the topping: Whisk the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Cut in the cubed butter with a pastry blender or two forks. Sprinkle the topping over the soaked bread.
  • Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown on top. I usually bake it for 45 minutes because I like it softer. Serve immediately. Cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
  • Make ahead tip: Prepare the topping in advance, cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator. Sprinkle over the soaked bread before baking. For freezing, prepare the recipe through step 4 (without preheating the oven) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then bake as directed.

BAKED CREAM CHEESE FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE RECIPE - (4.4/5)



Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe - (4.4/5) image

Provided by á-8595

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 (12-14 ounce) loaf french bread, sourdough bread, or challah (1)
8 ounces (224g) brick-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature (2)
2 Tablespoons (15g) confectioners' sugar (don't leave it out, trust me)
3 teaspoons (15ml) vanilla extract, divided
8 large Eggland's Best eggs
2 and 1/4 cups (540ml) whole milk
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup (133g) packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup (69g) packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup (42g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 Tablespoons (86g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Optional: fresh fruit, maple syrup, and/or confectioners' sugar for topping
Day-old, crusty bread is perfect for french toast casseroles. I prefer challah bread. I slice it up and let it sit out all day.
Since the cream cheese is only mixed with a little sugar and vanilla, make sure you are using quality cream cheese that tastes good. I love full-fat Philadelphia brand brick-style cream cheese for this dish.

Steps:

  • Grease a 9x13 pan with butter or spray with nonstick spray. Slice then cut the bread into cubes, about 1 inch in size. Spread half of the cubes into the prepared baking pan. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the room temperature (not cold!) cream cheese on medium-high speed until completely smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract until combined. Drop random spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top of the bread. Layer the remaining bread cubes on top of cream cheese. Set aside. Whisk the eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and remaining vanilla together until no brown sugar lumps remain. Pour mixture over the bread. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and stick in the refrigerator for 3 hours - overnight. Overnight is best. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Remove pan from the refrigerator. Prepare the topping: Whisk the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Cut in the cubed butter with a pastry blender or two forks. Sprinkle the topping over the soaked bread. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown on top. I usually bake it for 45 minutes because I like it softer. Serve immediately. Cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Make ahead tip: Prepare the topping in advance, cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator. Sprinkle over the soaked bread before baking. For freezing, prepare the recipe through step 4 (without preheating the oven) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then bake as directed.

Tips for a Perfect Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole:

- **Choose the Right Bread:** Use a bread that can absorb the custard mixture without becoming soggy. Challah, brioche, and thick-cut French bread are all good options. - **Make Sure the Bread is Stale:** Using slightly stale bread will help prevent it from becoming too mushy in the casserole. - **Don't Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing the batter can make the casserole tough. Just mix until the ingredients are combined. - **Use Quality Ingredients:** The better the ingredients you use, the better the casserole will taste. Use fresh cream cheese, milk, eggs, and spices. - **Don't Be Afraid to Experiment:** You can add different fruits, nuts, and spices to the casserole to customize it to your liking. - **Serve Immediately:** Baked cream cheese French toast casserole is best served immediately, while it is still warm and fluffy.

Conclusion:

Baked cream cheese French toast casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make breakfast or brunch dish. It is perfect for a crowd, and it can be made ahead of time. With a few simple tips, you can make a perfect baked cream cheese French toast casserole that everyone will love.

Related Topics