This Strawberries and Cream French Toast is everything you want in a breakfast — sweet, creamy, and packed with juicy berries. Whether you’re making it for a weekend brunch or prepping it ahead for a stress-free morning, this dish is pure comfort in every bite!
Table of Contents
What is Strawberries and Cream French Toast?
Strawberries and cream French toast is a baked breakfast dish that takes classic French toast to the next level. Instead of dipping and frying each slice individually, thick-cut bread is soaked in a rich custard, layered with juicy strawberries, and baked until golden. The result? A soft, creamy texture with a slightly crisp top, bursting with fresh berry flavor in every forkful.
The beauty of this dish is how simple it is. A handful of ingredients come together to create something that feels special yet requires minimal effort. The strawberries infuse the custard with natural sweetness, while the cream adds richness, making each bite feel like a cross between traditional French toast and fruity bread pudding. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that’s just as perfect for a lazy Sunday morning as it is for a special occasion.
Ingredients You Need
- French Bread – Using day-old bread helps soak up the custard without getting too soggy. A slightly crusty loaf works best.
- Eggs – These create the rich custard that holds everything together. Whole eggs give the best texture and structure.
- Whole Milk – Milk keeps the custard creamy without making it too heavy. We like using full-fat milk for the best flavor and the richest texture.
- Heavy Cream – Cream adds a rich, velvety texture to the custard. A little bit goes a long way in making this dish extra indulgent!
- Granulated Sugar – Sugar sweetens the custard just enough to complement the strawberries.
- Vanilla Extract – We love using vanilla because it enhances the sweetness of the strawberries and brings warmth to the dish. Plus, it will make your kitchen smell absolutely heavenly while the dish is baking!
- Strawberries – Fresh strawberries add natural sweetness and a pop of color. Make sure to chop them into small pieces so they’re easy to distribute evenly.
- Salt – Just a pinch balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
How to Make Strawberries and Cream French Toast
- Prep the Bread. Arrange the bread slices standing up in a staggered pattern in a prepared baking dish.
- Blend the Custard. Place the eggs, milk, heavy cream, strawberries, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth and light pink in color.
- Soak the Bread. Add the custard mixture to the baking dish, coating all of the slices. Allow the dish to sit for at least 30 minutes to absorb the custard, or cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Add the Toppings. Place cubes of cream cheese over the top of the bread for a creamy, tangy contrast.
- Bake Until Golden. Place the dish in the oven and bake until the top has browned and the custard is set. Serve warm and enjoy!
Variations
- Bread – Brioche, challah, or sourdough all work beautifully and add their own unique texture.
- Crunchy Topping – Sprinkle cinnamon sugar or crushed almonds on top before baking for extra texture.
- Berries – Try using blueberries, raspberries, or a mix of different berries for a fun twist.
- Dairy-Free – Use coconut milk and dairy-free cream cheese for a plant-based version.
- Spices – A touch of cinnamon or nutmeg for more warm flavor.
- Chocolate – Sprinkle chocolate chips between the layers for extra sweetness.
- Sauce – Serve with maple syrup, honey, or a berry compote for an extra indulgent take!
Can I Store Leftovers?
Leftovers can become a little bit soggy over time, so it’s best to enjoy this dish fresh. However, if you do have extras (lucky you!) you can store this in the fridge or freezer.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven to bring back some crispness.
Freeze individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in the oven.
Common Questions about Strawberries and Cream French Toast
Yes — it’s the perfect make-ahead dish! You can prepare it the night before and let the bread soak in the custard overnight. This allows the flavors to come together and makes breakfast effortless the next morning.
A sturdy bread like French bread, brioche, or challah works best. Softer breads can get too mushy, so using a slightly stale loaf is ideal.
Blending helps create a smooth, evenly mixed custard, especially with the strawberries. If you don’t have a blender, whisk everything together and mash the strawberries as much as possible.
Yes! Just be sure to thaw and drain them well before blending to avoid excess liquid in the custard.
More Breakfast Recipes
If you’re looking for more sweet ways to start your day, you’ll want to take a peek at some of these other favorites that we can’t get enough of!
Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
Blueberry Mascarpone French Toast Bake
Strawberry French Toast with Cream
Ingredients
- 1 pound (16 ounces) loaf day old French bread sliced at a 1-in diagonal
- 6 large whole eggs
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped strawberries
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Stack the bread standing up – but staggered1 pound (16 ounces) loaf day old French bread sliced at a 1-in diagonal
- In a blender, add the eggs, milk, heavy cream, strawberries, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Pulse just until the strawberries are blended and the mixture is a light pink color. Pour evenly over the bread, ensuring every piece is soaked.6 large whole eggs, 1 1/4 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup chopped strawberries, A pinch of salt
- Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to absorb (or cover and refrigerate overnight for a make-ahead option).
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Equipment
Notes
– Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven to bring back some crispness.
– Freeze individual portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in the oven.
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
