If you’re looking for an easy, cozy breakfast that requires minimal effore and without requiring you to stand over the stove flipping individual slices of French toast, this Berry French Toast Casserole is it.

Made with cubes of soft bread, a rich vanilla custard, and plenty of fresh berries, this casserole can either be made ahead, or right before baking, and is perfect for slow weekends, holidays, brunch, or feeding a crowd.

The best part? You can assemble everything the night before and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, simply bake it until golden and warm. The berries become soft and jammy, while the bread soaks up all that delicious custard.

Serve it with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, and extra fresh berries for an easy breakfast everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Berry French Toast Casserole

• Easy to prepare ahead of time
• Perfect for weekend brunch or holidays
• A great way to use day-old bread
• Filled with fresh, juicy berries
• Easily customizable with whatever berries or toppings you have
• Feeds the whole family without making individual French toast

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 loaf French bread or brioche, cut into cubes
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups mixed berries, fresh or frozen
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Optional Toppings

• Powdered sugar
• Maple syrup
• Extra fresh berries
• Whipped cream
• A sprinkle of cinnamon

What Bread Is Best for French Toast Casserole?

French bread, brioche, challah, or another sturdy bakery-style bread works best for this recipe.

Slightly stale bread is actually ideal because it absorbs the egg mixture without becoming overly mushy. If your bread is fresh, you can cut it into cubes and leave it out on a baking sheet for a few hours before assembling the casserole.

However, I’ve definitely made this with an older loaf of plain white bread before, and it was still delicious.

How to Make Berry French Toast Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Add the cubed bread to the prepared dish.

Sprinkle the berries evenly throughout the bread cubes.

Step 2: Make the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.

Pour the mixture evenly over the bread and berries.

Gently press the bread down with a spoon or spatula to make sure most of it is soaking in the custard.

Drizzle the melted butter over the top.

Step 3: Refrigerate (optional)

Cover the casserole and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

For the best flavor and texture, let it sit overnight. This gives the bread plenty of time to absorb the custard.

Step 4: Bake

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F.

Bake uncovered for approximately 45–55 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and the center is set.

If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover it with foil for the remainder of the baking time.

Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Can I Use Frozen Berries?

Yes! Frozen berries work well in this recipe.

You can add them directly to the casserole without thawing. Keep in mind that frozen berries may release a little more moisture and color into the custard, but they’ll still taste delicious.

A combination of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries is especially good.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This recipe is perfect for preparing the night before.

Simply assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, remove it from the refrigerator while the oven preheats, then bake as directed.

This makes it a great breakfast for Christmas morning, Mother’s Day brunch, Easter, or a slow weekend morning at home.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover Berry French Toast Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or warm larger portions in the oven at 325°F until heated through.