If you’re looking for a breakfast dish that is bound to bring a smile to every face at the table, this crave-worthy Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is going to become your go-to. It’s the perfect blend of creamy, sweet, and comforting flavors that will make everyone’s morning extra special!
Table of Contents
What is Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole?
Cream cheese French toast casserole is a baked breakfast dish that combines the rich, creamy goodness of cream cheese and mascarpone with the sweet, custardy texture of French toast. We soak layers of soft French bread in a sweet egg mixture, add dollops of tangy cream cheese, and top it all off with a buttery, cinnamon-sugar crumb topping. It’s an absolutely delectable breakfast that no one can resist!
This casserole is perfect for a crowd, making it ideal for holiday mornings or weekend brunches. You can even prepare it the night before, allowing the bread to soak up all the flavorful custard, then simply pop it in the oven in the morning. The result is a warm, golden-brown dish that’s crispy on top and irresistibly soft and creamy inside. Serve it with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of confectioner’s sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
Ingredients You Need
- French Bread – Fresh or day-old French bread soaks up the custard beautifully.
- Full-Fat Brick Cream Cheese – Softening it to room temperature makes it easier to blend into a smooth filling. And while you can use a low-fat version, the full-fat variety will give you the best flavor.
- Mascarpone – This cheese adds a rich, creamy texture and mild flavor that complements the cream cheese perfectly.
- Confectioner’s Sugar – This sweetens the cream cheese mixture and helps to make it silky smooth.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – We use this to add a touch of warmth and a sweet aroma. Trust us, your kitchen is going to smell heavenly!
- Large Eggs – Eggs are essential for creating the custard base — they give it both structure and richness.
- Whole Milk – Whole milk adds a creamy texture to the custard without being too heavy.
- Ground Cinnamon – Cinnamon adds a warm, spicy flavor that basically makes this French toast comfort on a plate!
- Packed Light Brown Sugar – This sugar sweetens the custard and adds a hint of molasses flavor.
Crumb Topping:
- Packed Light Brown Sugar – This sugar gives the topping a sweet, caramel-like flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour – Flour helps to create a crumbly texture for the topping.
- Oats – Oats add a bit of texture and heartiness to the crumb topping.
- Ground Cinnamon – Cinnamon gives the topping its signature spiced flavor.
- Unsalted Butter – Cold, cubed butter creates a crumbly, rich topping when the casserole is baked.
- Maple Syrup and/or Confectioners’ Sugar for Topping – We love these optional toppings! They add an extra touch of sweetness and make for a pretty presentation.
How to Make Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
- Prepare the Bread. Use a sharp knife to cut the bread, creating 1-inch cubes. Place the cubes into the prepared baking pan.
- Prepare the custard. Add the eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and remaining vanilla to another bowl and mix together until completely combined and lump-free. Transfer the custard to the baking dish, distributing it evenly.
- Chill. Use plastic wrap to cover the baking dish and place it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
- Make the crumb topping. Just before baking, add the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon to a bowl and whisk together until combined. Use a pastry blender or forks to cut in the butter and combine until a coarse crumb has formed. Use it to top the casserole.
- Bake the casserole. Place the casserole in a preheated oven and bake until the top is a light golden brown color. The topping should be crispy, but if you prefer a more tender texture, you can reduce the baking time by a few minutes.
- Make the cream cheese mixture. Place both of the cheeses into a large bowl and beat them together using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or a handheld mixer. Once combined, add the confectioner’s sugar and vanilla extract. Then, beat again.
- Add the cream cheese. Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture over top of the bread and return it briefly to the oven to melt.
- Serve and enjoy. Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. If desired, add maple syrup or a dusting of confectioner’s sugar over top.
Variations
- Berries – Add fresh or frozen berries between the bread layers for a burst of bright, fruity flavor!
- Chocolate Chips – Sprinkle chocolate chips over the cream cheese layer for a chocolatey start to the day.
- Nutmeg – Add a pinch of nutmeg to the custard for even more warm flavor.
- Nuts – Top with chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch and nuttiness.
- Flavored Syrup – Use flavored syrup, like caramel or vanilla, instead of maple syrup for a fun twist.
- Spice Blends – Try adding a bit of pumpkin spice or apple pie spice for a seasonal spin.
Can I Store Leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge or freezer and reheated when you’re ready for them! While you can microwave them, if you want them to be a little crispy, opt for reheating in the oven or an
Store any leftovers tightly covered or in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
You can also freeze the casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to a month and thaw overnight before reheating. Freezing in individual portions will make reheating easier.
More French Toast Recipes
When it comes to breakfast, French toast is one of our absolute favorites! If you’re a fan, too, check out more of our easy recipes that are bound to be a hit at breakfast or brunch.
Easy French Toast with Caramel Sauce
Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 (14 ounce) loaf French bread
- 4 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 4 ounces mascarpone
- 2 Tablespoons (15g) confectioners’ sugar
- 3 teaspoons 15ml pure vanilla extract, divided
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2/3 cup 133g packed light brown sugar
Crumb Topping:
- 1/3 cup (69g) packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/3 cup (41g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 8 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Optional:
- Maple syrup and/or confectioners’ sugar for topping
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or any 3-4 quart oven-safe dish with nonstick spray. Slice the French bread into 1-inch cubes. Spread the cubes into the prepared baking pan.1 (14 ounce) loaf French bread
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and the remaining vanilla until smooth, ensuring no lumps of brown sugar remain. Pour this mixture evenly over the bread. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours, or up to 24 hours for best results.6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 2/3 cup 133g packed light brown sugar
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Remove the pan from the refrigerator.
- To prepare the crumb topping, whisk together the brown sugar, oats, flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut in the cold cubed butter with a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the soaked bread.1/3 cup (69g) packed light brown sugar, 1/3 cup (41g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 8 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed, 1/2 cup oats
- Bake the casserole uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. For a softer texture, bake for about 45 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and mascarpone on medium-high speed until completely smooth. Add the confectioners’ sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating until combined.4 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature, 4 ounces mascarpone, 2 Tablespoons (15g) confectioners’ sugar, 3 teaspoons 15ml pure vanilla extract, divided
- Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture randomly over the bread in the baking pan and continue to bake briefly until the cheese melts.
- Optionally, drizzle with maple syrup or dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving. Serve warm.Maple syrup and/or confectioners’ sugar for topping
- Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Equipment
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Simple and easy recipe to make with leftover stale bread. It was great to have the units of measurement in grams!
perfect and delicious ♥️
Thank you, Andie! We’re so glad you enjoyed it. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
hi! I just had a question about what you mean by “remaining vanilla” in step two? how is the vanilla divided? thank you
Hi! You’ll need to extract 1/4 teaspoon for step 6 from the 3 teaspoons. Apologies for the confusion! We’ll work on updating the recipe card. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
The recipe soundtrack awesome! but before I try, I have to ask – maybe I miss something or don’t understand something but in recipe there’s info to spread half of the french bread cubes in the pan. And after that nothing happens to the other half of the cubes?
Hi Edyta! You just dollop the cream cheese on top as instructed in step 7 in the recipe card. Apologies for any confusion. We hope you enjoy!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa