From the Griddle Holiday Treats

Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake

November 29, 2018

Slightly toasted and top, soft in the middle and each bite bursting with a pocket of fluffy cream cheese and warm exploding blueberries - this french toast bake is perfect for the holidays because you can make it overnight!

This post has been sponsored by Kraft Heinz Canada ULC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The lead-up to Christmas is one of my favourite times of year. You, too?! My husband usually tries to make me hold out on holiday decorating and listening to carols until December 1, but I never last 😉 (This year, I sneakily hung one wreath on November 14! Better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission, am I right?!)

If you love to entertain over the holidays like I do, here are my tips: Start meal planning early! Test out new recipes now, and choose dishes that can be made ahead!

Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake

This Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake, made with PHILADELPHIA Original Cream Cheese 250g, is a perfect make-ahead brunch or Christmas morning breakfast. You can either make and bake it in the morning or prep it the night before and fire it into the oven when your guests arrive (I highly recommend this second option!)

Less time in the kitchen means more time around the tree and cheers-ing family and friends with that secretly spiked coffee…

(Psst, for other holiday recipes, check out more inspiration HERE!)

Assembled ingredients for Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake recipe

To make this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake, using good quality ingredients is key. Although you can use any type of sandwich loaf, I like to use a high-quality sourdough loaf from the bakery down the street. I’ve also used a hearty whole grain loaf with great success, if you’re looking for a little healthier option.

Splurge on fresh, ripe blueberries, even though they’re not in season at Christmas. You can use frozen blueberries, but your bread will absorb a purplish hue… which bothers me, but maybe it won’t matter to you!

And use premium cream cheese, like PHILADELPHIA Original Cream Cheese 250g. It’s the original cream cheese made with no artificial colours or flavours and is crucial for the creamiest, smoothest cream cheese pockets in this recipe!

Philadelphia Cream Cheese ingredient

Now that you’ve assembled your ingredients, Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake can be prepped in about 20 minutes – easy peasy!

First of all, throw your brick of cream cheese into your freezer – this will make it easier to cut later. While it’s chilling, cube a loaf of bread and scatter the pieces into a greased baking dish. Then you’ll whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon and pour it over top of the bread, making sure the bread soaks up the liquid. Sprinkle the casserole with blueberries.

Whisking eggs and bread cubes for Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake

Meanwhile, the cream cheese brick will be nice and chilled; remove it from the freezer and cube it into small pieces. Then you’ll nestle those creamy little nuggets among the bread and blueberries and bake!

Assembling Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake

When you remove it from the oven, the Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake will be slightly toasted on top and soft in the middle—each bite bursting with a pocket of fluffy cream cheese and warm exploding blueberries. Told you this recipe was a winner 😉

Now that you’ve chosen your holiday brunch recipe, you’ve got more time to curate the perfect holiday playlist…

Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake | breakfast for dinner

4.79 from 14 votes
Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Soaking Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 

Slightly toasted on top, soft in the middle and each bite bursting with fluffy cream cheese and warm exploding blueberries - this french toast bake is perfect for the holidays because you can make it overnight!

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blueberry, cream cheese, french toast, overnight
Servings: 12
Author: Maresa | breakfast for dinner
Ingredients
  • 1 loaf white French bread or sandwich bread (approximately 1 pound, cut into cubes)
  • 1 250g (8oz) brick of PHILADELPHIA Original Cream Cheese (frozen for 15 minutes, then cut into small cubes)
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 6 large eggs
  • 3 cups 2% milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • butter, to grease your dish
Instructions
  1. Lightly grease a 9x13" (or other 3-quart casserole) dish with butter, and arrange bread cubes in an even layer in the dish.

  2. Tuck PHILADELPHIA Original Cream Cheese cubes amongst the bread cubes, then scatter blueberries over top. Set aside.

  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Pour egg mixture into the casserole dish and over top of the bread, making sure to soak all bread cubes.

  4. Let the french toast bake soak for at least 15 minutes at room temperature or cover with saran wrap and place in the fridge overnight.

  5. When you're ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the centre of the casserole causes no liquid to spill into the crack. The casserole should be moist, but no longer liquidy.

  6. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup.

Recipe Notes

Once assembled, the french toast bake can either be soaked for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or covered with saran wrap and placed in your fridge overnight to soak. In the morning, simply preheat your oven, remove saran wrap, and bake!

 

Check out the Content Hub for more delicious holiday recipes, and Kraft Canada for a complete list of PHILADELPHIA cream cheese products.

 

  • Reply
    Debbie
    November 29, 2018 at 10:28 am

    Love this new recipe – perfect for Christmas morning – or any morning! The yumminess of cream cheese nuggets is a great update on the old Christmas Wifesaver recipe from years past. Thanks for your fun and healthy ideas – love your blog!

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      December 3, 2018 at 3:45 pm

      It’s about time the old Wifesaver got an update!! Thanks for stopping by <3

  • Reply
    Jody Cowdell
    November 29, 2018 at 2:02 pm

    I am defiantly going to try this yummy recipe! Thank you

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      December 3, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      Let me know how you like it, Jody!

  • Reply
    Natalie
    November 29, 2018 at 10:50 pm

    Looks so delicious and perfect for weekend brunch!

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      December 3, 2018 at 3:44 pm

      Thanks Natalie – it’s definitely a new fav. I love that it can be prepped so much in advance!

  • Reply
    Tara
    December 3, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    Love the creaminess the cream cheese adds — delicious!

  • Reply
    Jeannette
    December 3, 2018 at 5:38 pm

    I CAN’T WAIT TO PLAY HOLIDAY MUSIC EITHER! My husband has completely given up and caved on my love for the holidays and Christmas music! He was doomed from the start. SOmehow I don’t think he will mind much at all this year with this Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake! I am sooooo glad it can be done in 20 minutes!

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      December 3, 2018 at 5:59 pm

      Haha!! Sounds like my husband needs to take a page out of your husband’s book 😉

  • Reply
    Allison
    December 3, 2018 at 7:05 pm

    I’m loving all those little pieces of cream cheese – YUM! Can’t wait to try this!

  • Reply
    Sue Ringsdorf
    December 3, 2018 at 7:14 pm

    French Toast Bakes go unbelievable well in a house of boys with big appetites! Thank you so much for sharing! Oh, and I’ve been listening to Christmas music for several weeks now. SHHHHH! 🙂 LOL.

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      December 7, 2018 at 11:22 am

      This would be a great recipe to feed a house full of boys! And kudos to you for raising them!!!

  • Reply
    Jori
    December 3, 2018 at 7:21 pm

    My eldest daughter would love this! She’s obsessed with cream cheese and french toast!

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      December 7, 2018 at 11:23 am

      Let me know if you make it for her – I’d love to hear back!

  • Reply
    Philip | Chef Sous Chef
    December 10, 2018 at 10:42 am

    Such a great make ahead breakfast/brunch. French toast bake is a favourite in our home! Yum

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      December 11, 2018 at 3:42 pm

      It’s a fav at our house too. Happy Holidays, Philip!

  • Reply
    Kristen
    December 11, 2018 at 8:37 am

    Everything about this sounds delicious and I love breakfast for dinner.

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      December 11, 2018 at 3:42 pm

      Thanks Kristen! Brinner is always a good idea 😉

  • Reply
    Yvonne Langen
    December 11, 2018 at 9:54 am

    OMG yes. I am 100% making this over the holidays. Such a great brunch idea.

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      December 11, 2018 at 3:41 pm

      Let me know how you like it, Yvonne! Happy Holidays 🙂

  • Reply
    Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
    December 13, 2018 at 2:22 am

    I love make ahead brunch bakes for Christmas morning, and French toast is usually my go-to! This one looks like a must try! Love the added cream cheese! Happy Holidays Maresa!

  • Reply
    Denise from Urb’n’Spice
    December 14, 2018 at 2:20 pm

    We always love having something special for Christmas morning breakfast and your recipe for Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast sounds perfect, Maresa! I am pinning to try. Thanks so much for sharing. Happy holidays! PS. Your other breakfast ideas photographs look amazing, too!

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      December 23, 2018 at 8:47 am

      Thanks Denise! A very happy holidays to you too!!

  • Reply
    Pam
    October 23, 2019 at 9:57 am

    I have made this before and it is delicious. Since it is just my husband and myself can I make 2 smaller dishes and freeze one for a later time???

    • Reply
      breakfastfordinner
      October 23, 2019 at 10:10 am

      Absolutely, this dish will freeze well! Or your other alternative is to halve the recipe – you can adjust the quantity by clicking on the slider in ‘servings’ 🙂

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