Strawberries, Sleepovers, and the Easiest Fancy Breakfast I Know; Make Ahead Challah French Toast Casserole
This baked French Toast Casserole is my go-to when I want to impress without the 7am wake-up call
Summer break has arrived, bringing with it slow mornings with my kids, gallons of cold brew hogging space in the fridge, and plenty of trips to the local ice cream shop. I like to give my children a week of unstructured downtime at home—just rest, play, and sleeping in. That is, before we dive into busy beach days, pool visits, a few weeks of camp, and lots of quality time with the tribe of cousins we’re lucky to have. I don’t want to spent time stressing out over breakfast! That’s where the Make Ahead Challah French Toast Casserole saves the day!
I grew up with my own small pack of ragtag cousins. We were a semi-feral bunch, left entirely to our own devices in classic elder millennial fashion. Think The Goonies, but Cape Cod style. Our summers were made of fluffernutters, sandy feet, endless bottles of sunscreen, and bike rides to the beach. You wouldn’t see us again until dinner… and it was glorious.
Now, with my own crazy crew of kids and their cousins underfoot, I like to make sure they’re well-fed before they start making memories of their own.
But I’m always scrambling for a special breakfast when guests stay over… what to make?
Creamy Vanilla and Cinnamon Flavored Custard Soaked Challah Bread is Baked Until Golden Brown and Drizzled with Homemade Strawberry Sauce
The Best Make-Ahead Breakfast for Guests: Why I Love This French Toast Bake
Enter this Easy French Toast Casserole for guests, with a luscious homemade strawberry sauce. It’s my go-to when I need to feed a hungry crowd without losing my mind. It’s make-ahead friendly, bakes while you sip your first cup of coffee, and it’s bursting with seasonal strawberry flavor. You can use fresh or frozen berries for this Strawberry French Toast Bake Recipe, and it’s endlessly customizable. Even better, you probably already have all of the ingredients at home.
Shopping List
- Challah or Brioche
- Eggs
- Milk
- Half & Half
- Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Ground Cinnamon
- Salt
- Vanilla Bean Paste or vanilla Extract
- Grape-Nuts
- Butter
- Confectioner’s sugar
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
Whether you’re hosting houseguests, in-laws, or a swarm of energetic kids, this dish always delivers.
Simplify and Make this Strawberry Breakfast Bake Ahead of Time
Lazy summer mornings deserve something easy, satisfying, and a little bit special. This Make Ahead Challah French Toast Casserole is easy enough to made in the morning, or you can assemble the fresh toast bake the night before. Leave it unbaked and cover with plastic wrap. place in the fridge overnight and the challah bread will soak in all of that yummy eggy custard and bake up high in the oven. Remember to pull the casserole dish out of the refrigerator about 10 minutes before baking, and then bake as directed.
This strawberry breakfast bake can be dressed up with edible flowers and powdered sugar, or served simply with warmed maple syrup. Made in a 10 1/2” x 7 1/2” casserole pan, this sweet breakfast bake is perfect for hosting family, friends, or a gaggle of cousins.
Baked French Toast with Homemade Strawberry Sauce
Equipment
- 1 10 x 8 casserole dish
Ingredients
For the French Toast Casserole
- 1 loaf challah bread
- 6 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla paste
- 1 tablespoon butter greasing the casserole dish
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar for topping optional
For the Caramelized Cereal Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Grape-nuts cereal
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Strawberry Sauce
- 16 ounces fresh strawberries can use frozen strawberries as well
- 1/4 cup fresh raspberries can use frozen strawberries as well
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
Instructions the French Toast Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 350F and arrange the center rack.
- Take the 1 tablespoon of butter and lightly grease the casserole dish.
- Hand tear the challah bread into bite sized pieces and add to the casserole dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, half & half, sugar, cinnamon, salt and vanilla paste until blended.
- Next, pour the egg & dairy mixture slowly over the top of the torn challah bread. Cover the casserole dish tightly with a piece of foil.
- Place the casserole dish on the middle wrack and let cook covered for 30 minutes. Then, uncover the casserole dish and continue baking for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack. allow to cool for five minutes and then top with a dusting of powdered sugar, the caramelized cereal topping, and strawberry sauce.
Instructions for the Caramelized Cereal Topping
- Place a small skillet over medium high heat and melt the butter until foaming. Next add the brown sugar, grape-nuts, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
- Cook while stirring for 5-7 minutes, until the cereal is coated and candied.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely.
- Store in a covered plastic contain until use.
Instructions for the Strawberry Sauce
- Wash and dry the raspberries. Wash and hull the strawberries. Slice them in halves and add all of the berries to a medium sized pot with the sugar and 1 tablespoon of water.
- Place the pot over medium-high heat and allow the mixture to come to a simmer. About 7 minutes. Cook the fruit until softed and saucy, about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and let cool until room temperature.
- Transfer to a glass jar with a tightly fitted lid. Refrigerate until use.
- Stays fresh for three days in the refrigerator .
Video
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