French Toast Forest Casserole
Wake up to a whimsical breakfast masterpiece with French Toast Forest Casserole—a delightful twist on classic French toast baked to perfection! This crowd-pleasing dish combines cubes of rich challah bread (or brioche) soaked in a creamy custard flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, then topped with a vibrant medley of fresh blueberries, raspberries, and crunchy chopped nuts. Baked until golden and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, this casserole is crispy on the outside, irresistibly soft inside, and bursting with fruity flavor in every bite. Perfect for brunches, holiday mornings, or anytime you want an easy make-ahead recipe that feels indulgent yet effortless. Serve it warm straight from the oven, paired with a drizzle of maple syrup for the ultimate breakfast experience!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 cups (cubed) Challah bread (or brioche)
- 6 large Eggs
- 2 cups Milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Fresh blueberries
- 1 cup Fresh raspberries
- 0.5 cup Chopped pecans or walnuts
- 2 tablespoons (for garnish) Powdered sugar
- optional (for serving) Maple syrup
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
Cut the challah bread into 1-inch cubes and spread evenly in the prepared baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing gently with a spatula to ensure the bread soaks up the liquid.
Sprinkle the fresh blueberries, raspberries, and chopped nuts evenly across the top of the casserole.
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and let it sit for 15 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard. (Optional: Let it sit longer or overnight in the refrigerator for a deeper flavor.)
Bake the casserole covered in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Dust powdered sugar over the top for garnish and serve warm with optional maple syrup on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
548 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.6 g | 30% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.5 g | 47% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 195 mg | 65% | |
| Sodium | 362 mg | 16% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 70.9 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.6 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 45.5 g | ||
| Protein | 13.3 g | 27% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 133 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 276 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
