Blackberry French Toast Casserole Recipe
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A Breakfast Bake I’d Pick Over Pancakes
Blackberry French Toast Casserole is exactly the kind of breakfast I want when people are over and I do not feel like standing at the stove flipping French toast forever. You get the soft custardy bread, the golden top, the berries baked right in, and then that blackberry sauce over everything. It feels a little special, but it is still easy enough for a weekend morning.
Why You’ll Love This Blackberry French Toast Casserole
- You can prep it the night before and bake it fresh in the morning.
- It feeds a crowd and looks beautiful on the table.
- The bread soaks up all of that vanilla custard.
- The berries bake down and create sweet little pockets throughout.
- That homemade blackberry sauce takes it over the top.
It’s great for gatherings, potlucks, or anytime you need a breakfast you can bring in a pan and serve without stress.
The Best Bread For French Toast Casserole
The best French toast casserole starts with sturdy bread.
Great options include:
- Brioche
- Challah
- French bread
- Dinner rolls
- Gluten-free rolls
If your bread feels very fresh, let it sit out for a few hours first. Slightly stale bread soaks up the custard much better.
Why This Recipe Works
- The custard soaks fully into the bread for that classic soft center.
- The blackberries bake down and create sweet jammy pockets throughout.
- The baked top gets golden and lightly crisp.
- The homemade sauce adds even more blackberry flavor.
Can You Make It Overnight?
Yes! Assemble the casserole, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, let it sit on the counter for about 20 minutes while the oven preheats. Then bake as directed. This makes it perfect for holiday mornings.
Tips For The Best Blackberry French Toast Casserole
- Use slightly stale bread for the best texture.
- Let the bread sit in the custard for at least 15 minutes before baking.
- Do not skip the resting time after baking.
- If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil.
- For extra crisp edges, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end.
Storage
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 300°F until warmed through.
- You can freeze individual portions for easy breakfasts later.
Blackberry French Toast Casserole
This Blackberry French Toast Casserole has soft custard-soaked bread, fresh blackberries, and a quick homemade blackberry sauce spooned over the top. It is easy to make ahead and perfect for brunch, holidays, or a cozy weekend breakfast.
Equipment
- 7×10-inch baking dish
- saucepan
Ingredients
Blackberry French Toast Casserole
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 4 tbsp butter (melted)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 5 cups bread cubes, about 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups fresh blackberries
Blackberry Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup water
Instructions
Make the Blackberry French Toast Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 7×10-inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray and set aside.
- Add the eggs, sugar, milk, melted butter, and vanilla to a bowl. Whisk together until combined.
- Add the bread cubes and fold until they are fully coated in the custard.
- Add half of the bread cubes to the prepared baking dish.
- Top with the blackberries.
- Spread the remaining bread cubes over the top.
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown.
- Allow to cool for 1 hour.
- Drizzle the blackberry sauce over the top when serving. Enjoy!
Make the Blackberry Sauce
- Add the blackberries, sugar, and water to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Allow it to cook for 10 minutes, until the blackberries begin to break down and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Spoon the warm blackberry sauce over the French toast casserole when serving.
Notes
- Use sturdy gluten-free rolls so the bread holds its shape after soaking in the custard.
- Make sure the bread cubes are fully coated before layering them in the baking dish.
- Fresh blackberries work best for this recipe because they hold their texture while baking.
- Let the casserole cool for 1 hour before serving so the custard has time to settle.
- The blackberry sauce should be cooked until the berries begin to break down and release their juices.
- For a regular version, use your preferred bread, milk, and butter.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in the oven at 300°F.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 116mgPotassium: 261mgFiber: 4gSugar: 40gVitamin A: 631IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 115mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheSaltyCooker or tag #thesaltycooker!
