Baked Berries and Cream French Toast is the ultimate brunch upgrade, combining juicy berries and a velvety cream filling in between layers of soft, golden bread. It’s the perfect make-ahead breakfast that feels indulgent but is easy to make!
French toast has always been one of my favorite sweet breakfast treats. It’s that perfect mix of soft, custardy bread with just the right amount of sweetness. Making traditional French toast, you’d dip each slice in an eggy mixture and fry them up on the stove.
That’s great, but let’s be real, standing there flipping toast while everyone else digs in is not my idea of fun! This method of baking French toast all in one baking dish gives you all the flavor of the classic dish and makes your morning way easier!
Instead of frying, the bread soaks in a homemade custard and bakes up golden and fluffy. Every bite is filled with juicy berries, topped with a buttery brown sugar layer, and finished with a drizzle of sweet cream cheese. This breakfast feels extra special and is perfect for slow mornings with the people you love without all the work. Enjoy it any time of day. It’s great for breakfast, perfect for brunch, and even works as a dessert!
And if you love this recipe, you’ll also love my Cinnamon Roll Baked French Toast and easy Overnight French Toast!
Choose the right bread. Day-old or slightly stale bread works best since it soaks up the custard without getting too soggy. Brioche, challah, or French bread are great options.
Let the bread soak. Give the bread enough time to absorb the custard. You can even prep it the night before and bake it in the morning.
Use fresh or frozen berries. Either works well. If using frozen, don’t thaw them to avoid extra liquid in the dish.
Soften the cream cheese. This makes it easier to drizzle over the top without clumps. A quick 10-second microwave softens it perfectly.
Grease your baking dish. A little butter or nonstick spray keeps the French toast from sticking and makes serving a breeze.
French Bread Baguette – This bread has the perfect texture for soaking up the custard while keeping its shape. Using slightly stale bread helps it absorb even more flavor without turning mushy.
Cream Cheese – Creamy and rich, it adds a velvety layer that makes every bite extra indulgent.
Powdered Sugar – Blends smoothly into the drizzle and custard without any grittiness. It also gives the dish a light sweetness without being too heavy.
Vanilla Extract – A little vanilla brings warmth and depth to both the custard and the drizzle.
Berries – Fresh or frozen berries add bright, juicy pops of flavor that balance out the richness.
Milk and Heavy Cream – Both of these create a perfectly creamy custard that gives the bread its soft, luxurious texture.
Brown Sugar – Adds a caramel-like sweetness on top that bakes into a slightly crunchy crust.
Cream Cheese – This is the base of the drizzle, making it smooth, creamy, and irresistible.
Powdered Sugar – Sweetens the drizzle just enough to complement the tartness of the berries. It also helps create a smooth, pourable consistency.
Vanilla Extract – Adds a cozy, warm flavor to the drizzle that ties everything together.
Heavy Cream – Helps thin out the drizzle for easy pouring while keeping it rich. Start with a little and add more if you need a silkier texture.
Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 pan with non-stick cooking spray to make sure nothing sticks when it’s time to serve.
Slice the bread: Cut the French baguette into 1-inch slices, but don’t cut all the way through. This keeps the loaf intact while giving you space to fill with the cream cheese mixture. Arrange the baguettes side-by-side in the prepared baking dish.
Make the cream cheese filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Mix until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the berries so they’re evenly coated with the mixture.
Stuff the bread: Using a spoon or spatula spread the cream cheese and berry mixture generously between the slices of bread. Make sure each slice has plenty of filling.
Prepare the custard: In another mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, cinnamon, and ½ cup of brown sugar until fully combined. The mixture should be smooth and well-blended.
Soak the bread: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, making sure to coat every slice. Let the dish sit for about 30 minutes so the bread can fully absorb the custard mixture.
Add the topping: In a small bowl, mix the remaining ½ cup of brown sugar with one teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the bread for a sweet, crunchy topping.
Bake the French toast: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully set.
Make the cream cheese drizzle: While the French toast bakes, whisk together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream in a small bowl. Stir until the mixture is smooth and pourable.
Finish and serve: Once the French toast is out of the oven, let it rest for about 10 minutes to set completely. Drizzle the cream cheese mixture over the top just before serving. Add extra berries, maple syrup, or whipped cream. Enjoy!
Berry Swap: Try swapping out the berries with other fruits like sliced peaches, diced apples, or cherries. Each fruit adds a different flavor twist, perfect for switching things up based on what’s in season.
Make it Dairy-Free: Replace the cream cheese and heavy cream with dairy-free alternatives, like plant-based cream cheese and coconut cream. Almond or oat milk also works well in the custard for a delicious dairy-free version.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free baguette or sliced gluten-free bread. It soaks up the custard just as well and tastes amazing.
Add a Crunch: Sprinkle chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts on top, along with the brown sugar for a little extra crunch.
Storing: Keep any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store them in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil so it doesn’t dry out.
Freezing: To freeze, wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
How far in advance can you prepare this dish?
You can assemble the entire dish the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, making it even more delicious when baked the next morning.
Do I have to use French bread?
No, while French bread works well because it holds up to the custard, you can also use other sturdy breads like brioche, challah, or even sourdough. Just make sure the bread isn’t too soft (like sandwich bread), or it may get too mushy.
What if I don’t have heavy cream?
You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the dish may be slightly less rich.
Can I make this without the cream cheese drizzle?
Yes, the cream cheese drizzle is optional, but it adds an extra layer of sweetness and richness. You can leave it off or replace it with powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.
How do I know when the French toast is baked?
The French toast is done when the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. The center should be set but still soft and custardy, not runny.
French Bread baguettes filled with a sweet and creamy berry mixture surrounded by a custard and topped with brown sugar and a cream cheese drizzle. A weekend morning must!
2 (8-10 inch) French Bread Baguette
Hiland Dairy Cream Cheese (8 oz)
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
6 large eggs
1 cup Hiland Dairy Whole Milk
½ cup Hiland Dairy Heavy Cream
4 teaspoons cinnamon (divided)
1 cup brown sugar, divided
Cream Cheese Drizzle
4 oz Hiland Dairy Cream Cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 Tablespoons Hiland Dairy heavy cream
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Cut the French baguettes into 1 inch slices, but do not cut all the way through the bread. Place the baguettes in the baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix the Hiland Cream Cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add all the berries and fold them into the cream cheese mixture.
Use a spoon or spatula to spread the cream cheese/berry mixture in between the slices of the french bread. Be generous with the mixture in between the slices.
In another mixing bowl, add the eggs, Hiland Milk, heavy cream, 3 teaspoons cinnamon and ½ cup brown sugar. Whisk until all combined.
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and into the baking dish. Allow to sit for 30 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the egg mixture.
In a small bowl, mix the remaining ½ cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together and sprinkle all over the top of the bread and egg mixture.
Cover the baking dish with foil and place in the oven to bake for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for 30 minutes.
While baking, make the cream cheese drizzle. In a small bowl, whisk together Hiland cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and Hiland heavy cream.
Remove the French Toast from the oven and let rest for another 10 minutes to set completely.
Drizzle the cream cheese drizzle over the top and then serve! Add maple syrup, whipped cream, and more berries if you like.
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