Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake – Perfect Creamy Brunch
Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake layered with fresh strawberries, creamy pockets of cream cheese, and a rich vanilla custard baked until golden and soft in the center.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
8 oz cream cheese, cut into small cubes
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
6 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter, for greasing baking dish
Powdered sugar, for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
2. Spread half of the cubed bread evenly in the baking dish.
3. Scatter half of the cream cheese cubes and sliced strawberries over the bread.
4. Repeat layering with remaining bread, cream cheese, and strawberries.
5. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugars, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
6. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread.
7. Gently press the bread down to help absorb the custard.
8. Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes or refrigerate overnight for best results.
9. Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes until the top turns golden and the center is set.
10. Allow to rest 10 minutes before slicing and dusting with powdered sugar.
Notes
Use day-old bread for best texture and structure.
If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil during baking.
You can assemble the bake the night before and refrigerate for easier morning preparation.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.