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Easy Overnight French Toast Casserole with Berry Compote

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A cozy and easy overnight French toast casserole soaked in a rich custard and topped with a vibrant berry compote, perfect for busy mornings or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (day-old preferred)
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (or 1 cup whole milk + 1 cup heavy cream for extra richness)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • For the Berry Compote:
  • 2 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cube brioche or challah into 1-inch pieces and place evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk (or milk plus cream), sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter until smooth.
  3. Pour custard mixture evenly over bread cubes. Gently press down to help bread absorb custard. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or at least 6 hours.
  4. About 20 minutes before baking, combine mixed berries, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until berries break down and mixture thickens slightly (10-15 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove casserole from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  6. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until top is golden brown and custard is set (knife inserted in center should come out clean).
  7. Let casserole cool 5-10 minutes before serving. Spoon warm berry compote generously over each slice.

Notes

Use day-old brioche or challah for best custard absorption without mushiness. Let eggs come to room temperature before mixing. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil during last 10-15 minutes of baking. Let casserole rest before slicing to set custard. Berry compote can be made ahead and reheated gently. For dairy-free, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: overnight French toast casserole, berry compote, easy breakfast, brunch recipe, custard soaked bread, brioche casserole

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/easy-overnight-french-toast-casserole-with-berry-compote-recipe-for-perfect-breakfast/