Name: Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf (16 ounces) brioche or challah, sliced into 1-inch cubes; 2 6-ounce half pints blueberries (12 ounces total); 2 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened (16 ounces total); 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar; 6 eggs, at room temperature; 2 cups half and half, at room temperature; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Blueberry sauce; Berry syrup like boysenberry (store-bought is great); Maple syrup; Strawberry syrup

There’s something truly comforting about a warm, fruit-filled breakfast that’s both creamy and slightly indulgent. This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe brings that perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and rich textures—it’s like a hug on a plate first thing in the morning. Trust me, this one’s a keeper for leisurely weekends or special occasions.

This image shows a white baking dish filled with a layered bread pudding with blueberries. The bottom and middle layers are made of golden-brown toasted bread cubes that have a soft, moist texture. Scattered evenly between and on top of the bread cubes are fresh, deep blue blueberries adding a pop of color. The surface of the pudding looks slightly shiny and custardy, with the edges of the bread browned and crisp. A golden spoon is partially scooping out a serving, showing the layers and some of the blueberries inside. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m honestly obsessed with this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe because it’s simplicity and wow-factor rolled into one dish. It’s fancy enough to serve guests but easy enough to just treat yourself on a slow morning.

Flavor Combo: Cream cheese swirled with fresh blueberries creates a tender, tangy bite in every forkful.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It sits overnight soaking up custard, so mornings are stress-free and delicious.
Texture Magic: Crispy edges with soft, custardy centers make for a satisfying contrast.
Versatility: Whether you prefer maple syrup or homemade blueberry sauce, this casserole pairs perfectly with a variety of toppings.

A white plate holds a patchwork of soft, golden yellow cake pieces, each soaked and layered unevenly with a thick, glossy, dark purple-blue blueberry sauce and whole blueberries. The blueberries are shiny and juicy, piled generously on top and around chunks of the cake, with some sauce dripping slightly on the plate. A gold spoon rests on the lower right, scooping a mix of both the yellow cake and the rich blueberry topping. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe is about combining simple ingredients that come together in a way that feels luxurious yet approachable. Each component plays a special role in texture and taste, and with just a few tips, your dish will turn out beautifully.

Flat lay of a sliced loaf of brioche bread cut into cubes, fresh plump blueberries scattered naturally, two blocks of smooth cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, six whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy half and half, a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl of finely grated lemon zest, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, and a small white ceramic bowl of fine salt, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brioche or challah bread: These breads soak up custard beautifully without falling apart and add a subtle sweetness and rich flavor.
Blueberries: Fresh or frozen, they burst with juicy sweetness and pop in contrast to the creamy custard.
Cream cheese: Adds richness and a slight tang that balances the sweetness perfectly; soften it well to avoid lumps.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard just right without overpowering the berries or cream cheese.
Eggs: The backbone of the custard, they set everything into a tender, custardy texture.
Half and half: Creates a creamy custard base richer than milk but lighter than heavy cream.
Vanilla extract: Adds warm, inviting aroma and depth of flavor.
Lemon juice & zest: A bright, citrusy note that keeps the dish tasting fresh and balanced.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe is how adaptable it is. I love tweaking it depending on the season or what I have on hand—you can easily make it your own with a little creativity.

Variation: I’ve experimented with swapping blueberries for raspberries or a mix of berries, which adds a lovely tart twist and keeps it exciting.
Dairy-Free Option: You can try coconut cream instead of cream cheese and half and half for a dairy-free twist, but the texture will be a bit different.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: Using gluten-free brioche brings the same cozy feel without gluten—just be sure to toast gently as it can brown faster.
Seasonal Twist: In fall, I like adding cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard for warming spice.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Toast the Bread to Perfection

I start by cubing a loaf of brioche or challah into 1-inch pieces, then toasting them in a single layer at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This step is crucial—it gives the bread a little crunch on the outside but keeps the inside soft, so the custard soaks in without turning mushy. Keep a close eye here; you don’t want those cubes to get dark or hard.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Custard

Next, I beat softened cream cheese with sugar until silky smooth—this part takes a few minutes but is worth it to avoid lumps. Then I add the eggs, half and half, lemon zest and juice, vanilla, and salt. Make sure everything is room temperature before mixing to keep the custard smooth and creamy. Pro tip: If your cream cheese has tiny white flecks, don’t stress—they’ll melt while baking.

Step 3: Assemble the Layers

In a greased 9×13 dish, I layer half the toasted bread cubes, sprinkle half the blueberries, then pour half the custard over. Repeat with the remaining bread, berries, and custard. Press everything gently with a spatula to help submerge the bread but don’t worry if the very tops peek out—it’ll bake beautifully regardless. Cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight to let the custard soak in deeply.

Step 4: Bake with Patience and Love

The next morning (or whenever you’re ready), let your casserole sit on the counter while you preheat the oven to 350°F. Pop it in covered with foil for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake another 15–25 minutes until the custard is set and a knife comes out clean. The edges will be golden and slightly crisp. Meanwhile, I like to whip up some blueberry sauce to drizzle on top—because why not double down on the blueberry goodness?

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe truly foolproof and spectacular every time.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring your cream cheese, eggs, and half and half to room temperature before mixing; this prevents lumps in your custard.
Toast Your Bread: Don’t skip toasting the bread cubes first—it adds structure so the casserole holds together with a lovely texture.
Overnight Soak: Cover and refrigerate overnight for the best flavor and custard absorption; if you’re short on time, mix custard with bread in a bowl and let sit 30–60 minutes instead.
Blueberry Sauce Bonus: Homemade blueberry sauce on top is amazing, but store-bought berry syrups or maple syrup are great time-savers without compromising taste.

How to Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

blueberry cream cheese french toast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping mine with a generous drizzle of warm blueberry sauce and a dusting of powdered sugar—it looks pretty and adds a sweet finish. Fresh mint leaves or a handful of extra berries can also brighten the presentation. For an extra touch, a dollop of whipped cream never hurts!

Side Dishes

Pair this casserole with some crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for savory balance. A fresh fruit salad or a light green smoothie rounds out the meal nicely without being too heavy. If you want something simple, a cup of hot coffee or tea completes the cozy vibe perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For brunch parties, I like baking individual portions in mini ramekins—this makes serving so easy and they look adorable on the table. You can also layer the casserole in clear glass dishes to show off the beautiful layers of bread, berries, and cream cheese custard. It’s a crowd-pleaser visually and flavor-wise!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store wonderfully in the refrigerator. I tightly cover the dish with foil or transfer slices to an airtight container, and it stays fresh for up to 5 days. Since the casserole is moist but sturdy, it holds its flavor and texture very well.

Freezing

I’ve frozen baked casserole slices when I wanted to prep ahead—just wrap them tight in plastic wrap, then foil, and pop in the freezer for up to 2 months. When it’s time to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently for best texture. It’s a great way to have breakfast ready on busy mornings.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer the oven to keep a bit of that crispiness—cover with foil and warm at 350°F for 10–15 minutes or until heated through. For a quick fix, the microwave works well with 30–45 seconds per serving, but the edges won’t be as crunchy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen blueberries for this casserole?

Absolutely! I usually use frozen blueberries straight from the freezer without thawing—just brush off any excess ice to avoid extra moisture. They work great and keep the dish bright and juicy.

What happens if I don’t let the casserole soak overnight?

Skipping the overnight soak means the custard doesn’t absorb fully into the bread, so the casserole can be less fluffy and a bit runnier. If you’re short on time, you can let the bread and custard sit mixed together for 30-60 minutes before baking to help soak in flavors.

Can I make a half batch of this casserole?

Yes! You can easily halve the ingredients and bake the casserole in an 8×8-inch dish. Just reduce baking time slightly to about 30-35 minutes—keep an eye so it doesn’t overcook.

What type of bread works best for this French toast casserole?

Brioche and challah are my top picks because they’re slightly sweet, soft inside, and sturdy enough to soak up custard without turning soggy. You can try thick-sliced white bread in a pinch, but avoid very dense breads that won’t absorb well.

Final Thoughts

This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes for weekend mornings and special brunches alike. It feels fancy but is surprisingly straightforward, and every bite is packed with comforting, fresh flavors. I really hope you give this one a try—you might just find yourself making it over and over, like I do!