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; 12 ounces blueberries (2 6-ounce half pints); 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (2 8-ounce blocks); 1 1/4 cup 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); Maple syrup; Strawberry syrup

There’s something irresistibly cozy about a breakfast that feels like a warm hug—and that's exactly why I love sharing this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe with you. It’s got that perfect blend of sweet berries, creamy cheese, and soft custardy bread baked to golden perfection. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll quickly become a weekend staple.

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’ve made tons of French toast casseroles over the years, but this blueberry and cream cheese version stands out because it balances sweetness and tang with an unbeatable creamy texture. Plus, it’s super forgiving, so you can make it ahead and enjoy stress-free mornings.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it the night before for a hassle-free breakfast that bakes while you sip your coffee.
Perfect Texture: The cream cheese custard adds a rich creaminess that makes every bite melt in your mouth.
Fresh & Fruity: Blueberries add a burst of natural sweetness and a gorgeous pop of color.
Versatile Toppings: Enjoy it with blueberry sauce, syrup, or maple—whatever you have on hand, it’s delicious.

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

All the ingredients here come together to create that magical soft-yet-structured casserole that’s both sweet and tangy. I always keep an eye out for fresh, good-quality cream cheese and berries because they make a big difference in flavor and texture.

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 are rich and slightly sweet, which hold up really well after soaking in the custard without falling apart.
Blueberries: Fresh is ideal, but frozen works too—just don’t thaw them to avoid extra moisture.
Cream Cheese: Softened for easy blending into the custard, it brings a luscious tang and creamy texture.
Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tartness of the berries and cream cheese.
Eggs: The protein that sets the custard and binds everything together beautifully.
Half and Half: Gives the pudding-like custard a nice richness without being too heavy.
Vanilla Extract: A classic flavor booster that rounds out the custard perfectly.
Lemon Juice & Zest: These fresh citrus notes brighten the flavor, helping to cut through the richness.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors and balances sweetness.

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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 reasons I adore this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I like to tweak it depending on the season or mood—there are just so many fun ways to switch it up!

Fresh Berry Mix: Sometimes I swap blueberries for a mix of raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries—still delicious and colorful!
Non-Dairy Alternative: Using almond or oat milk in place of half and half works well if you're avoiding dairy, just expect a slightly different texture.
Spiced Version: Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard for a cozy flavor twist.
Smaller Portions: I’ve made it in an 8x8 pan for two or four servings with success—just watch the baking time closely.

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

Step 1: Toast the Bread to Perfection

Start by cutting your brioche or challah into 1-inch cubes, then spread them out on a large baking sheet. Pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This toasting gives the bread some structure so it soaks up custard without becoming mushy. Pro tip: keep your eyes on it to ensure the cubes become golden, not burnt, and remember—they’ll still be soft inside which is exactly what we want!

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Custard

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar until silky smooth using a hand mixer. Then, add eggs one at a time, followed by half and half, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. The lemon zest is what gives this recipe that little zing that wakes up your taste buds. Make sure all your wet ingredients are at room temperature—that way, the cream cheese blends perfectly without lumps.

Step 3: Layer It Like a Pro

Start with half of your toasted bread cubes in a greased 9x13 pan, then sprinkle half of your blueberries. Pour half the custard over that, then repeat the layers with remaining bread, berries, and custard. Press down gently with a spatula or your hands—your goal is to submerge the bread in custard but don’t stress if some cubes peek out on top.

Step 4: Chill Overnight or Make Ahead

Cover your casserole with foil and pop it in the fridge overnight to let the custard soak into every nook and cranny, making it fluffier and more custardy. If you’re short on time, no worries! Skip the toasting, toss the bread in custard in a bowl, let it sit 30-60 minutes, then layer with berries and bake.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

When you’re ready, bring the casserole to room temp while you preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake uncovered for 15-25 minutes until a knife inserted comes out clean and the top is golden. It’ll smell incredible at this point—perfect for gathering everyone around the table!

Top Tip

From countless tries, these little tricks have turned my Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe from good to great—so let me share what’s helped me the most!

Room Temperature Ingredients: I can’t emphasize enough how using room temp cream cheese, eggs, and half and half helps create a smooth custard free of lumps.
Don’t Thaw Blueberries: For frozen berries, brushing off ice and adding them straight in avoids sogginess.
Press Gently: Be careful not to mash the bread too hard when layering so you keep some texture in the final bake.
Overnight Rest: When possible, refrigerate overnight - it makes a noticeable difference in custard absorption and flavor melding.

How to Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe

Blueberry French Toast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping mine with warm homemade blueberry sauce for an extra burst of blueberry goodness, but a simple dusting of powdered sugar or fresh mint leaves can make it look effortlessly elegant. Maple syrup or berry syrups from the store also complement this dish beautifully if you want to keep it simple.

Side Dishes

It pairs wonderfully with crispy bacon or sausage if you want a savory contrast. Fresh fruit salad or a light green salad on the side also balances the richness. For a brunch crowd, I serve it alongside scrambled eggs and freshly brewed coffee—guaranteed smiles all around.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered individual servings in clear ramekins showcasing the beautiful blueberry and cream cheese layers. Another fun trick is to drizzle different syrups in artistic patterns on the plate or top with edible flowers—it adds that wow factor without extra effort.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap leftovers tightly in foil or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days. I usually slice it before storing to make reheating easier and to serve portioned pieces that don’t dry out.

Freezing

Once completely cooled, wrap the whole casserole (or individual portions) in plastic wrap and then foil. It freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge to keep that creamy texture intact.

Reheating

For best results, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or cover the casserole with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. This helps keep the custard creamy without drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe without overnight refrigeration?

Yes! You can skip the overnight step by mixing the bread cubes and custard together in a bowl so all the cubes absorb the custard fully, letting it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before baking. The texture will be less fluffy but still tasty.

Can I use frozen blueberries in this recipe?

Absolutely! Just don’t thaw them before adding to the casserole. Brush off any excess ice to prevent extra moisture, and they’ll bake up juicy and delicious.

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

I recommend brioche or challah because of their rich texture and slight sweetness, which soak up the custard perfectly without falling apart. Avoid super dense or crusty breads for best results.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers tightly wrapped or in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds, or warm the whole casserole covered in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to maintain creaminess.

Final Thoughts

This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my meal rotation because it’s not only incredibly tasty but also so comforting. It’s perfect for lazy weekend mornings or when you want to impress friends and family without too much fuss. Honestly, once you try it this way, you might find yourself baking a batch on repeat. Enjoy every delicious bite—you deserve it!