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
Ugh, I’m so bad at running even with music. I’ve pretty much given up on it and just do long walks instead. This french toast casserole looks amazing! And a custard-like texture sounds magnificent. I can see why your brother wanted you to make it so badly! :)
I would not be able to make it through a run without music or some other form of entertainment. The louder the better – it needs to drown out the thoughts in my head that have me thinking about eating chocolate and lounging around instead, ha. But maybe I should turn it down a bit so I can focus on dreaming about this French Toast Casserole. Plus, your brother (the super athlete) is eating it, which means it must be good for you, right??!
Seriously though, right Kathi? If the ironman can eat it then that means I can too right? Wait a second… :)
I’ve never ever tried a french toast casserole. And I’m kind of a breakfast fanatic so that seems weird. This looks freakin’ amazing though.
Hey at least you’re putting effort into running these days – good for you! I keep trying to tell myself that chasing my children around the house counts….but that won’t work forever!
Laughing at your new found love of music when you run. Loving this french toast casserole. Looks decadently delicious!
This looks wonderful. Have you tried the Trader Joe’s B grade pure maple syrup. It’s dark and rich and strong almost bordering on nasty. I looove it.
Bordering on nasty, lol!! I haven’t tried it, I need to get some!
This french toast casserole looks absolutely amazing Karen! Love the cream cheese in here :) Haha, I totally count down the seconds when I’m working out so I think I need to start blasting on some music next time!
This looks SO good, Karen! I love how cake-y it looks. You’re right, I can tell it’s got a custard feel to it. I will definitely have to try this! Love that you use real maple syrup too…makes all the difference!
Yum. Awesome pic.
This looks absolutely heavenly! Always wanted to try a french toast casserole.
I couldn’t agree more !!!! Music makes walking//jogging//running soooo much better!!!!!! I actually forget that the muscles in my nerves are getting slightly knotty and walk an extra few kilometers!!!!! Hahahhaa and I thought I was the only one who measured my walks by the number of songs I was listening to while walking! :D This french toast has GOT TO BE the most tasty ones I have ever seen {and very soon going to be eating too! } Loveeeee it!
The cream cheese in this is pure genius. Bookmarked and happening soon here without a doubt. Love this!!
Maybe I need to try the whole music thing while working out, because I’m terrible at working out, specifically, running. I think I can run from my house to the end of the street without dying. … Anyways..Completely salivating over this…..cream cheese..ahhh
Has anyone tried this recipe over night?
I’ve never tried doing this recipe overnight Jeshana, but I can’t see why it wouldn’t work. I’d love to hear how it goes if you try it out!
I’m trying it tonight. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I am totally that girl with earbuds in a little too often. Especially when I’m out running errands. I just love my podcasts too much. I am actually impressed you were able to run for so long without music! I would get bored out of my mind. I need my music to distract me as much as possible.
This sounds absolutely delicious Karen! I love that you put cream cheese in there. So yummy! I bet you could even make this the day before, keep it in the fridge, then just pop it in the oven in the morning.
My anti-running streak has been going on since junior high, which is more decades ago than I’d like to admit. But this french toast casserole looks like something I could totally get behind.
This recipe looks and sounds awesome! :) Should really try that as a Sunday breakfast. :)
I love how you just discovered listening to music while running. I’m really bad at it even when listening to music… :D Maybe I shouldn’t concentrate so much on my breathing and should concentrate on listening to the music instead. :) However, I’ll never be a good at running… Much better at eating
Have a great week, Karen.