Creamy Lemon Blueberry Overnight French Toast Bake
A creamy, make-ahead French toast bake with fresh lemon zest and juicy blueberries that soaks overnight for a soft, custardy center and a golden, crisp top. Perfect for brunch or cozy mornings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- Day-old bread (about 1 loaf, preferably brioche or challah, roughly 10-12 cups cubed)
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups whole milk (480 ml)
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (115 g)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g)
- Zest from 2 large lemons
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries (225 g), washed and patted dry
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing the baking dish)
- Optional toppings: powdered sugar, maple syrup, or extra fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Cut day-old brioche or challah into roughly 1-inch cubes. Spread evenly in a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, filling about two-thirds full.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, and 1 cup heavy cream until well combined and slightly frothy, about 1-2 minutes.
- Soften 4 oz cream cheese beforehand. Use an electric mixer or whisk vigorously to blend it smoothly into the custard mixture with the eggs and milk until creamy and uniform.
- Stir in 1/2 cup granulated sugar, zest from 2 lemons, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Gently fold 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries into the custard. Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish, pressing lightly with a spatula to help the bread soak evenly.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove cover and bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crisp and the custard is set but creamy in the center. Check doneness with a knife or toothpick; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with optional maple syrup, powdered sugar, or extra blueberries.
Notes
Use day-old bread to avoid mushiness. Soften cream cheese before mixing to prevent lumps. Fold blueberries gently to avoid bursting. Soak overnight for best texture; minimum 6 hours acceptable. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly. Let rest before serving for easier slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of the bake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 10
Keywords: French toast bake, overnight French toast, lemon blueberry breakfast, make-ahead breakfast, creamy custard, brunch recipe