Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole

There is so much flavor in this Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole! There’s nothing better than waking up to a warm casserole topped with juicy strawberries and syrup on a cold morning!

strawberries and cream overnight French toast

Table of Contents

French Toast Casserole with Cream Cheese

This French Toast Casserole with Cream Cheese seems like it would be difficult to make but it’s actually easy! Making this strawberry-filled breakfast is a perfect way to use up old bread and repurpose it into a fabulous breakfast!

Why You’ll Love this Strawberry French Toast Casserole:

Delicious: With fresh berries, a rich and custard-like cream cheese mixture, and a crumble topping all baked into cubes of bread, this recipe is unlike your typical breakfast in all of the best ways.
Simple: This Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is simple to make but sure to impress any friends or family you may be sharing this with!

This french toast recipe is excellent for making the night before and putting in the oven the next day as an effortless meal! This casserole is also perfect for a special occasion such as Christmas morning or Mother’s Day.

a slice of strawberry toast casserole on a plate, topped with syrup and fresh strawberries

overhead view of strawberries and cream French toast casserole

How to Make Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

Prepare your baking pan or casserole dish using non-stick cooking spray.
Add half of the bread cubes to the baking pan and set aside.
Add the cream cheese to a medium bowl and beat until smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract and beat until well mixed.
Spread the cream cheese mixture onto the top of the bread cubes in the pan then sprinkle with 2 cups of strawberries.
Layer the remaining bread cubes into the baking dish on top of the strawberries.
In a large bowl, add the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon and whisk until well combined.
Pour the milk mixture evenly onto the bread layer and use a spatula to lightly press the bread down.
Cover the baking pan/bread mixture with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight.
When the casserole is ready to cook, remove it from the fridge and preheat the oven.
In a small bowl, use a fork to combine the brown sugar, flour, and butter and sprinkle over the casserole.
Cover the baking pan with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes before removing the foil and baking for another 35 minutes.
The top of the casserole should look toasted and golden brown. If the middle of the casserole is still wet after baking, add it back to the oven for an additional 5 minutes of bake time.
When the strawberry french toast bake is done, add fresh strawberries and top with a little bit of maple syrup or pancake syrup. Serve warm and enjoy!

how to make strawberries and cream French toast casserole step by step photo instructions

What is the best kind of bread to use in strawberries and cream French toast casserole?

I recommend using a crusty bread, like French bread or sourdough. Softer breads will lead to a soggy casserole, so be sure to choose a dry, crusty bread! You can also choose something like day-old brioche or challah bread for a more decadent casserole.

Can I make strawberries and cream French toast casserole with frozen strawberries?

I do not recommend using frozen strawberries in this casserole, as they will likely give off too much moisture, causing the casserole to become soggy.

Does strawberries and cream French toast casserole need to sit in the fridge overnight or can I bake it right away?

This French toast casserole should sit in the fridge overnight so the bread has time to soak up the wet mixture. If you don’t let it sit and soak up the wet mixture, it will be soggy after baking.

Why is my strawberries and cream French toast casserole soggy?

French toast casserole can become soggy if the bread is too soft or if the casserole has not been cooked long enough. Using day-old bread is the key to avoiding a soggy casserole, and choosing a crustier bread will give you double insurance. If you do not have any day-old bread on hand, toast fresh bread cubes in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, tossing halfway through, until lightly dried.

How can I make strawberries and cream French toast casserole gluten-free?

To make this casserole gluten-free, use gluten-free bread and a gluten-free 1:1 flour in place of the all-purpose flour.

Can I make strawberries and cream French toast casserole with fat-free cream cheese?

I do not recommend using fat-free cream cheese to make this casserole, as it just won’t taste as rich and delicious. However, you can use light cream cheese or Neufchatel for a lower-fat alternative. This will change the flavor slightly.

Want to save even more time in the kitchen? Make this Strawberries and Cream French Toast Bake and freeze it for an easy breakfast option that you can pull out of the fridge/freezer and put into the oven! Check out the storage and freezing instructions below for more information.

side view of a piece of strawberries and cream French toast casserole

strawberry overnight French toast in a casserole dish

Make Ahead Instructions

This casserole is designed to be made ahead and refrigerated for at least 8 hours or up to overnight. This gives the bread time to soak up the egg mixture, leading to the best flavor and texture.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover strawberries and cream French toast casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until hot, about 25-30 minutes.

Freezing Instructions

This French toast casserole can be frozen both fully baked and unbaked.

To Freeze Baked: Cover tightly in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap before reheating.
To Freeze Unbaked: Prepare the recipe up to step 8, but do not refrigerate overnight. Instead, place the casserole in the freezer tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap, then bake as directed.

Substitutions

Try this French toast casserole with other fruits, such as diced apples or pears, sliced bananas, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, or cranberries.
Add chopped nuts to the crumble topping, such as walnuts or pecans.
While I don’t recommend replacing the eggs, you can make this recipe dairy-free by using a non-dairy milk/cream and dairy-free cream cheese and butter.
To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free bread and gluten-free 1:1 flour.

Tips for the Best Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole

Make sure to use a dry, crusty, day-old bread. To dry it even further, cube it and leave it out on the counter overnight or bake in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, stirring halfway.
Don’t skip the overnight rest in the refrigerator. This allows the egg mixture to be better absorbed and improves the flavor.
Remove the casserole from the refrigerator about 45 minutes before baking (while the oven preheats) to help it bake more evenly.
The crumble topping is optional but delicious!
You can easily halve this recipe and bake in an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan. Baking time may be slightly less than for a larger casserole.

More Breakfast Casserole Recipes We Love

a piece of French toast casserole on a plate, next to a casserole dish

If you’re looking for a unique breakfast recipe that’s delicious and easy to make, then look no further than this Strawberries and Cream French Toast Casserole! This recipe is the perfect dish for cozy fall and winter morning breakfasts, weekend brunch, or serving to a large group of people!