Mothers Day Blueberry French Toast (Printable)

Luscious baked French toast featuring juicy blueberries and a touch of vanilla for celebratory brunch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread Base

01 - 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, cut into 1 inch cubes (about 1 pound)
02 - 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

→ Custard Mixture

03 - 6 large eggs
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Topping

10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1/4 cup brown sugar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
13 - 1/4 cup chopped pecans or almonds, optional
14 - Powdered sugar for dusting, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Arrange half the bread cubes evenly in the prepared dish. Scatter half the blueberries over the bread layer. Repeat with remaining bread and blueberries.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth and fully combined.
04 - Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and blueberries, pressing gently to ensure all bread cubes are saturated.
05 - Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight for optimal flavor development.
06 - Preheat the oven to 350°F.
07 - In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts if using. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole.
08 - Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes until puffed and golden brown. If browning too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil.
09 - Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Perfect for feeding a crowd without morning stress—assemble it the night before and bake fresh in the morning
  • The combination of rich custard, sweet blueberries, and crunchy cinnamon topping creates irresistible layers of flavor and texture
  • Uses simple, accessible ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen
  • Endlessly adaptable with different berries, breads, or toppings to suit your preferences
  • Impressive presentation that makes any brunch feel extra special and celebratory
02 -
  • Use day-old bread for better absorption—slightly stale bread soaks up custard without falling apart
  • Don't skip the refrigeration time; it ensures the custard fully penetrates the bread for perfect texture
  • Check the casserole at the 35-minute mark and tent with foil if the top is browning too quickly
  • Let the casserole rest for a full 10 minutes before serving—this allows it to set properly and makes cutting cleaner
  • Make the topping fresh just before baking for the best texture and flavor
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