Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake: Irresistible and Easy Breakfast Recipe

Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake is the ultimate breakfast or brunch indulgence, combining soft, custardy bread with rich cream cheese, sweet strawberries, and a golden, slightly crisp top. This baked French toast is perfect for family gatherings, weekend brunches, or even holiday mornings when you want something impressive yet simple to prepare.

The beauty of a French toast bake lies in its ease and make-ahead potential. Instead of flipping individual slices of bread in a skillet, everything is layered and baked in one dish, allowing the flavors of cream cheese, strawberries, and vanilla custard to meld together beautifully. The result is a soft, flavorful interior with a slightly crisp and golden surface that’s perfect with a drizzle of syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s a detailed list of ingredients with approximate calorie counts per serving:

Ingredient	Quantity	Approx. Calories
French bread, cubed	1 loaf (about 12 oz)	1200
Cream cheese, softened	8 oz	800
Fresh strawberries, sliced	2 cups	100
Eggs	6 large	420
Milk	2 cups	200
Heavy cream	½ cup	400
Granulated sugar	⅓ cup	270
Vanilla extract	1 tsp	12
Cinnamon	1 tsp	6
Butter, for greasing	1 tbsp	100
Optional: powdered sugar for topping	2 tbsp	60
Optional: maple syrup for serving	¼ cup	210

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer
   In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese with 2 tbsp sugar and ½ tsp vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
3. Layer the Bread and Strawberries
   Spread half of the cubed French bread in the baking dish. Dot with half of the cream cheese mixture and half of the sliced strawberries. Repeat the layers with the remaining bread, cream cheese, and strawberries.
4. Make the Custard
   In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, remaining sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth.
5. Pour Custard Over the Layers
   Carefully pour the custard evenly over the layered bread, strawberries, and cream cheese. Press down slightly with a spatula to ensure the bread absorbs the custard.
6. Bake the French Toast
   Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crisp.
7. Cool and Serve
   Let the French toast bake cool for 5–10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup if desired.

Tips for Customizing the Recipe

• Fruit Variations: Substitute strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or a mix of seasonal fruits.
• Make Ahead: Assemble the night before, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake in the morning for a convenient brunch.
• Chocolate Lovers: Add mini chocolate chips between layers for a decadent twist.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free bread to make this dish suitable for gluten-sensitive eaters.
• Sweetener Alternatives: Replace granulated sugar with honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	470–500 kcal
Carbohydrates	55 g
Protein	12 g
Fat	25 g
Saturated Fat	14 g
Sugar	25 g
Fiber	3 g

Serving Suggestions

Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake is best served warm, optionally with:

• A drizzle of maple syrup or fruit syrup
• A sprinkle of powdered sugar
• Fresh berries or sliced bananas on top
• A side of bacon, sausage, or fresh yogurt for a complete breakfast spread
• A dollop of whipped cream for special occasions

FAQs

1. What is Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake?

Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake is a baked breakfast casserole featuring soft, custard-soaked bread layered with sweet cream cheese and fresh strawberries. It’s perfect for brunch, holidays, or a cozy weekend breakfast.

2. Can I make this French toast bake ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble it the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake in the morning for a convenient, stress-free brunch.

3. Can I use other fruits instead of strawberries?

Absolutely. Blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or a mix of seasonal fruits all work beautifully in this recipe.

4. What type of bread works best?

French bread, brioche, or challah are ideal for soaking up the custard while maintaining a soft, fluffy texture. Avoid very thin or pre-sliced sandwich bread as it may become too soggy.

5. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes. Use gluten-free bread in place of regular bread to make the French toast bake gluten-free.

Conclusion

Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake is a simple yet impressive dish that transforms a classic breakfast into a crowd-pleasing treat. Its creamy custard, soft bread, and sweet strawberries create the perfect combination of textures and flavors. With easy assembly, make-ahead potential, and endless customization options, this French toast bake is perfect for weekend brunches, holidays, or any morning when you want something comforting and irresistible.