Name: Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf (16 ounces) brioche or challah, sliced into 1-inch cubes; 2 6-ounce half pints blueberries (12 ounces total); 2 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened (16 ounces total); 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar; 6 eggs at room temperature; 2 cups half and half at room temperature; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Blueberry sauce; Berry syrup like boysenberry (store-bought is great); Maple syrup; Strawberry syrup

There’s something so comforting about waking up to a cozy, luscious baked breakfast. The Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe is just that — a perfect combo of fluffy bread, tangy cream cheese, and sweet bursts of blueberry that feels like a hug on a plate. I’m excited to share all the tips that have made this a weekend staple in my kitchen.

This image shows a white baking dish filled with a layered bread pudding with blueberries. The bottom and middle layers are made of golden-brown toasted bread cubes that have a soft, moist texture. Scattered evenly between and on top of the bread cubes are fresh, deep blue blueberries adding a pop of color. The surface of the pudding looks slightly shiny and custardy, with the edges of the bread browned and crisp. A golden spoon is partially scooping out a serving, showing the layers and some of the blueberries inside. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe isn’t just another casserole — it’s the breakfast that quietly turns into a crowd favorite, whether you’re feeding family, guests, or just treating yourself. I love how it layers sweet and tangy flavors with a creamy custard soaked into soft yet slightly toasted bread. Every bite brings that melt-in-your-mouth feeling that you just want more of.

Flavor Explosion: The cream cheese custard with lemon zest pairs beautifully with fresh blueberries for a bright but rich taste.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it the night before, so breakfast is almost effortless — just pop it in the oven and enjoy.
Perfect Texture: Toasted brioche or challah cubes give a crispy edge while the inside stays soft and custardy.
Customizable: Whether you want to swap berries or syrups, this recipe invites your personal touch to make it your own.

A white plate holds a patchwork of soft, golden yellow cake pieces, each soaked and layered unevenly with a thick, glossy, dark purple-blue blueberry sauce and whole blueberries. The blueberries are shiny and juicy, piled generously on top and around chunks of the cake, with some sauce dripping slightly on the plate. A gold spoon rests on the lower right, scooping a mix of both the yellow cake and the rich blueberry topping. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients that work in harmony to create that dreamy French toast bake experience. Choosing good-quality bread and ripe blueberries really makes a difference, and the cream cheese custard is where all the magic happens.

Flat lay of a sliced loaf of brioche bread cut into cubes, fresh plump blueberries scattered naturally, two blocks of smooth cream cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, six whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy half and half, a small white ceramic bowl of pale yellow lemon juice, a small white ceramic bowl of finely grated lemon zest, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract, and a small white ceramic bowl of fine salt, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brioche or Challah Bread: Their rich, buttery texture soaks up custard beautifully without falling apart.
Fresh Blueberries: They burst during baking, giving natural sweetness and a lovely pop of color.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese adds tang and creaminess that elevates the custard above the usual.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the tartness while helping with caramelization on top.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the custard base.
Half and Half: Adds creaminess without making custard too heavy — lighter than cream but richer than milk.
Vanilla Extract: Gives warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
Lemon Juice and Zest: Bring fresh brightness that cuts through the richness wonderfully.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors without making it taste salty.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I really love about this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe is how easy it is to tailor. I’ve played around with different berries and syrups to keep it fresh and exciting each time I make it.

Berry Swap Variation: I’ve swapped blueberries for raspberries or a mix of berries when they’re in season, and it’s always a hit with just a slight twist in flavor.
Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream and a dairy-free cream cheese to make this recipe vegan-friendly — it still bakes up creamy and delicious.
Extra Crunch: Sprinkle some crushed pecans or sliced almonds on top before baking to add texture and a nutty note.
Spiced Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the custard gives it a cozy warmth that’s perfect for cooler mornings.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe

Step 1: Toast the Bread Just Right

I start by preheating the oven to 350°F, then spreading out my cubed brioche in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Toasting them lightly — about 10 minutes — is key. You want to get a little golden crunch on the outside but keep the centers soft to soak up that dreamy custard. Keep an eye on them as ovens vary, and you don’t want any burnt edges!

Step 2: Whip the Cream Cheese Custard

Next, I beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar in a big bowl until it’s silky smooth. Then in goes the eggs, followed by the half and half, vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt. Mixing this well is essential — I use a hand mixer to make sure there aren’t lumps. Room temperature ingredients really help here, so I usually pull everything out a bit earlier to warm up, which keeps the custard perfectly smooth.

Step 3: Assemble Your Layers

In a greased 9×13 dish, I layer half of the toasted bread cubes, then scatter half of the blueberries over them. Pour half the custard on top — don’t worry if it looks like a lot, it all soaks in. Then I repeat the process: bread, berries, custard. Press everything gently with a spatula or your hands to help the bread absorb the custard better. Cover it tightly with foil and let it rest in the fridge overnight. This step makes all the difference — it’s when the bread sucks up that luscious custard, and the flavors meld beautifully.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

When morning comes, I let the casserole sit at room temp for a bit while the oven heats to 350°F. Then I bake it covered with foil for 30 minutes to keep moisture locked in. After that, I remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 15-25 minutes until the top is lightly golden and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean (aim for 165°F internal temp). It smells incredible at this point!

Top Tip

After making this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe dozens of times, I’ve picked up a few tips that really help it come out perfect every time. Little tweaks make a big difference in texture and flavor.

Room Temperature Matters: I can’t stress enough how much softer that custard mixes when cream cheese, eggs, and half and half aren’t cold straight from the fridge. I usually do a little warm water bath for the eggs to speed this up.
Don’t Skip Toasting: Toasting the bread before assembling creates a lovely contrast of textures — and prevents it from getting too soggy.
Press it Down: Gently pressing the bread into the custard makes sure each cube soaks evenly and bakes into a custardy delight.
Overnight Rest is Magic: If you can, make it the night before — but if you’re short on time, I share a quick method below to bake it same day with great results.

How to Serve Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe

blueberry cream cheese french toast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of serving this bake warm with a drizzle of homemade blueberry sauce — it doubles down on the fruity goodness. If you’re short on time, store-bought berry or maple syrups work just as well. A sprinkle of powdered sugar and a few fresh blueberries on top add a nice elegant touch for brunch guests.

Side Dishes

To keep the meal balanced, I usually add crispy breakfast sausages or bacon on the side. Fresh fruit salad or a light green salad with citrus vinaigrette pairs nicely too, especially if you want to brighten up the plate with some crunch and freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve baked the Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe in individual ramekins for personal servings — it looks fancy and helps with portion control. You could also top with whipped cream and edible flowers for a spring brunch centerpiece that will wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers can be tightly covered or transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 5 days. I usually cut it into individual squares for easy grab-and-go breakfasts throughout the week.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole after baking wrapped in plastic and foil. It freezes well for up to 2 months and when I’m ready to enjoy it, I thaw it overnight in the fridge then reheat it gently. The texture holds up nicely, so it’s a lifesaver for planning ahead.

Reheating

I prefer reheating leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes covered with foil to keep it moist. If you’re in a rush, the microwave works fine for 30-45 seconds, though the oven gives better texture and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe without letting it sit overnight?

Yes! If you’re short on time, you can skip the overnight step. Just mix the custard and bread cubes together in a bowl to fully coat them, let it soak at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, then layer with blueberries and bake. It won’t be quite as fluffy, but still delicious.

What kind of bread is best for this recipe?

Brioche and challah are ideal because they’re rich, buttery, and hold up well to soaking without falling apart. If you can’t find these, any sturdy, slightly sweet bread will work—just toast it lightly before assembling.

Can I use frozen blueberries?

Absolutely! You don’t need to thaw frozen blueberries first — just brush off any excess ice before layering them in. Frozen berries add a wonderful juicy burst during baking.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in a preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes covered with foil. For longer storage, the casserole freezes well for up to 2 months.

Final Thoughts

This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it turns simple ingredients into something truly memorable. It’s the kind of recipe that brings people together around the breakfast table, sparks smiles, and invites a slow, happy morning. I hope you’ll try it soon and make some warm memories of your own. Trust me, you’ll want to make this one for years to come.