Easy Lemon Blueberry French Toast Casserole
A bright and comforting breakfast casserole combining zesty lemon, sweet blueberries, and custardy French toast baked to perfection. Perfect for lazy mornings or brunch gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour to 8 hours 50 minutes (including soaking time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 cups day-old brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 oz / 225 g)
- 1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen, rinsed and patted dry)
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups whole milk (or dairy-free milk like oat or almond)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (can substitute with more milk for lighter version)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- Zest of 2 medium lemons (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
- Maple syrup or honey, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cut day-old brioche or challah into 1-inch cubes. If bread is fresh, toast lightly at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes to dry it out. Transfer cubes to a 9×13-inch baking dish and sprinkle blueberries evenly over the bread.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, cinnamon (if using), and salt until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth and slightly frothy (about 1-2 minutes).
- Pour custard mixture evenly over bread cubes and blueberries. Gently press down with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to help bread absorb custard. Let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes or cover and refrigerate for 2-8 hours or overnight for best results.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). If refrigerated, let casserole sit out for 10 minutes while oven heats.
- Bake casserole for 45-50 minutes until top is golden brown and custard is set but slightly wobbly in the center. Test doneness by inserting a knife or toothpick; it should come out mostly clean.
- Let casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup or honey if desired.
Notes
Use day-old brioche or challah for best texture; lightly toast fresh bread if needed. Soaking overnight improves custard absorption and flavor. Adjust liquid amounts if casserole is too soggy or dry. Lemon zest before juicing prevents bitterness. Rest casserole after baking for cleaner slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of ca
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: lemon blueberry, french toast casserole, breakfast casserole, brunch recipe, easy breakfast, lemon zest, blueberry breakfast, custard bake