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Creamy Overnight French Toast Bake with Swirled Cream Cheese

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A creamy and indulgent overnight French toast bake featuring swirled cream cheese pockets, perfect for an easy, comforting breakfast with minimal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 cups cubed thick-cut brioche or challah bread (day-old bread works best)
  • 6 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk (can substitute almond milk for dairy-free)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat recommended)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional but recommended)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (to grease the baking dish)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
  • Maple syrup for serving

Instructions

  1. Cube about 8 cups of brioche or challah bread into roughly 1-inch pieces. If bread is fresh, toast lightly for 5 minutes to dry it out.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese until smooth. Optionally add a tablespoon of sugar or vanilla for sweetness.
  4. Place cubed bread into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour custard evenly over bread, pressing down gently. Let sit for 10 minutes to absorb.
  5. Dollop spoonfuls of cream cheese over the custard-soaked bread. Gently swirl with a knife or spatula to create marbled pockets without overmixing.
  6. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove cover and bake for 50-60 minutes until top is golden and custard is set (knife inserted near center should come out clean). Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  8. Let bake rest for 10 minutes before cutting. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with maple syrup.

Notes

Do not skip the overnight soak for best custardy texture. Use brioche or challah for best results. If in a hurry, a 4-hour soak is possible but texture will be less creamy. Tent with foil if top browns too fast. Reheat leftovers in oven to avoid sogginess. Can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: overnight French toast bake, cream cheese swirl, easy breakfast, brunch recipe, custard soaked bread, creamy French toast casserole

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/creamy-overnight-french-toast-bake-with-swirled-cream-cheese-recipe-made-easy/