This easy French toast casserole is easy and cream cheesy. Top it with mounds of cinnamon and syrup and we are well on our way to the best breakfast ever…in one hour. This is also a great overnight french toast bake {with cream cheese} recipe.
This is going to be one of those “You’re an idiot” moments. Where you hand me my stupid sign and actually slap me upside the head. Because I JUST figured out why people listen to music on earbuds when they run. (Here’s your sign Karen.)
I suppose I shouldn’t say I figured it out, because really I always knew. I’ve just finally been convinced that it’s the way to go.
I ran 3 times longer than I usually do. 3 TIMES. (this burst of energy may or may not have been rooted in the fact that when I reached the distance that I usually run, I realized I had been jogging slowly for less than 2 songs. TWO SONGS.)
Turns out I can run for quite a while when I’m pacing myself to Cake and The Black Keys. It is SO MUCH BETTER than having to silently count each an every step in my brain: don’t..die..don’t..die..don’t.
Or actually, for me, it’s more like don’t………….die………
I think this earbud magic is finally going to break me out of this weird anti-running funk I’ve been in for the last 3…..years. #oops
I’ve always been resistant to wearing earbuds in public. It stems from my college days, when no one could even make it to their next class without their earbud fix. I’m scarred from one too many unrequited cheerful hellos.
Nothing’s changed. I love saying hi to people in my neighborhood, whether I know them or not. Except now when I call out a cheerful, normal greeting, really I’m yelling to half the neighborhood, “HEY, NICE NIGHT HUH??” Ah well. If you can’t beat em join em.
My brother Nathan (who ran an Ironman, btw. Puke.) has been trying to get me to make this Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole for years. He tried it first in Chile where his mission president’s wife would make it for him and the other missionaries. He has raved about it so many times.Â
Well he was right, as usual. Brother knows best, right? This Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole has 8 eggs so it almost has a custard texture to it. I love it served with fresh fruit and lots of maple syrup. This would be a great breakfast to make for Dad for Father’s Day this Sunday! ( I seriously think I might just make it again. And then go running. Blasting music in my ears while I yell at the neighbors.)
Well he was right, as usual. Brother knows best, right? This Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole has 8 eggs so it almost has a custard texture to it. I love it served with fresh fruit and lots of maple syrup. This would be a great breakfast to make for Dad for Father’s Day this Sunday! ( I seriously think I might just make it again. And then go running. Blasting music in my ears while I yell at the neighbors.)
Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
This Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole comes together in just one hour. It is custardy and cinnamony and everything you want.
Ingredients
- 8 eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 & 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2/3 cup cream
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted (1 stick)
- 12 ounces French bread, About 10 cups, cubed into bite-size pieces
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together eggs, sugar, whole milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Whisk for about a minute or two.
- In a separate bowl, microwave 1/2 cup butter until melted, about 30 seconds. Add the butter to the egg mixture and whisk thoroughly, another 1 or 2 minutes.
- Spray a 9x13 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. Spread half of the bread over the bottom of the dish, then sprinkle half of the cream cheese chunks over the top. Add the rest of the bread, then sprinkle with the remaining cream cheese.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the top of the pan, making sure to get all of the bread wet.
- Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cinnamon (I used a mesh strainer to make it more even.)
- Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake at 350 F for 35 minutes.
- Remove the foil from the pan and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Let cool for a few minutes, then serve with maple syrup and fresh fruit.
Notes
I used real Grade A Maple Syrup, but I think any kind will do.
You can make this overnight! Assemble completely, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Let it sit on the counter for about an hour, then bake as usual! You may need to leave it in about 5-15 minutes longer, keep an eye on it!
Source: Charlotte Openshaw (a friend of my brother's)
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 171mg | Sodium: 335mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 894IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this? I'd love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!
Bring on the cinnamon, yo.
Other fun breakfast ideas:
 Strawberry Mango Protein Smoothie
 Raspberry Nocciolata Grilled Sandwich
 Deep Dish Buttermilk Pancake
Hi! Is this a fairly soft breakfast? I want to make a Christmas breakfast for my kiddos, but my oldest just had his wisdom teeth removed. Any chance this is mushable as opposed to chewable? 😬😊
Hi Sara! Yes, this is fairly soft. As long as you make sure to use the correct amount of bread, use a softer bread, and don’t overbake, it should be “mushable” as you say. Hope your son recovers quickly! Enjoy :-)
I have made this overnight and added fresh strawberries and a bit less cinnamon. Awesome recipe!
Love the strawberries idea Wendy! I bet that was delicious. Thanks for the tip and thanks for commenting!
This is hands-down our favorite breakfast casserole. I am asked to bring it to our Mother’s Day Brunch at church every year. The recipe is always requested. Thank you for sharing this delicious dish!
I’m so happy to hear that Tammy!! It’s definitely a favorite around here too. And it really is perfect for Mother’s Day. Thanks so much for sharing your comment, that means so much to me!
Making this again tomorrow for Christmas breakfast. Â My kids love it!
So happy to hear that Tina! I love this one! Perfect for Christmas. Thanks so much for commenting!
Wow!! This looks incredible! Great for an Easter brunch!
Hi there! I’m going away for a well deserved loooooong weekend during the Thanksgiving holiday. I’m looking for recipes that I can make ahead. Has anyone tried making this and freezing or at least a day ahead?
Thanks,
Cathy
Hey Cathy! You can assemble the french toast, cover it, refrigerate overnight, and bake it in the morning. I’ve never tried letting it sit longer than that. Let me know how it goes!
When do you add the vanilla?????
Hey Jessa! You add it with the other liquid ingredients. Sorry about that! I fixed the recipe. Enjoy!
So is it right that the creAm cheese doesn’t melt all the way?
Hi Theresa! No, the cream cheese doesn’t melt all the way, you can see the chunks of cream cheese in the photos. Enjoy!
This was amazing. We made it on Thanksgiving morning and I plan to make it again on Christmas… if I can wait! Thank you!!
Woohoo! I’m glad your family loved it Hatton! Thanks for commenting!
I wish I could run with headphones! But… I was a marching band geek, so I always have to run/walk with the beat of the music. My pace would change every 3 minutes, and I’d be panting and dying with most songs — I’m THAT slow! You probably look like a speedster compared to me. :) And this french toast casserole… My dad would’ve loved it for Father’s Day! He loves recipes like these, especially when they end in a thick sprinkle of cinnamon. Pinned!
Haha, I totaly get what you mean with the whole running to the beat. My dad is a high school band director…..I’ve been around music and marching my whole life! It drives my wife nuts….she’s all, just walk faster, when we are at the mall, and Im like, I can’t! The song is too slow!
Gorgeous pics as usual. Running with earbuds is the only way to run!
haha oh running. I feel so good after I run but during it I feel like I’m going to die : ) But I’ll keep trying to run if it means I can eat this french toast casserole! It sounds absolutely delicious!
Your brother is a bad ass (and I echo your “puke” comment about the iron man. Just reading the words “iron man” made me tired. Unless we’re referring to his awesomeness, Robert Downey Junior. Then replace “puke” with swoon). I can’t believe you used to run without listening to music. You poor thing. I can’t do it. The deafening silence means that all I can think about is “please let me die, please let me die” so that I can cease feeling the excruciating pain and boredom of jogging. Now, if someone tied this casserole on a fishing rod held out in front of me a la cartoons, I’d run like crazy to try to catch up to it and eat it. Or just eat it and forego the running. Yeah, the latter option is definitely more attractive.
I’m glad you and the earbuds reconnected ;). I probably wouldn’t even make the mile mark without music. And yes, brothers do know best..most of the time. I’ve never added cream cheese to french toast, but you’ve never piqued my curiosity! Yum!
it looks delicious!