In The Kitchen - Breakfast/Brunch
November 10, 2019

Strawberries & Cream French Toast Bake

Preparing for family to visit for the holidays? This cream cheese and strawberry French toast bake makes for a quick and easy breakfast dish perfect for feeding hungry hoards.

10 min read
“Eat cake for breakfast!”
— KATE SPADE

When I have a quiet morning (a rare, glorious thing!), and I am feeling a tad luxurious, I like to treat myself to a scrumptious breakfast or brunch.  If I’m going out, some of my favorite brunch spots include Snooze, Ida Claire, Edith’s French Bistro, or Breadwinners, but sometimes I feel like brunch at home. When that mood strikes, one of my favorite meals to make is a breakfast of croissants, clotted cream, and strawberry jam - there’s something so deliciously decadent about it.  

With holidays right around the corner, many of us are planning menus for large family gatherings and trying to find quick and easy ways to serve delicious meals en masse.  If that sounds like you, and you’re looking for a meal that both feeds a large group yet tastes like a special, decadently delicious treat for your guests, check out this simple recipe for a European inspired al fresco breakfast of French toast bake made from croissants, cream cheese, and strawberry jam.

Strawberries & Cream French Toast Bake

Servings
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
50 min
Ingredients
Total Time
1 hr 50 min

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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 large eggs
  • 3 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 4 Tablespoons  sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (plus 1/2 teaspoon for sprinkling on top)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1.5 pounds bread (brioche or croissants; 1 pound is ~1.5 loaves or 10 large croissants) torn into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 jar of your favorite fruit preserves
  • 8 ounces of cream cheese (cubed)
  • Powdered sugar, whipped cream, and syrup for serving

Instructions

  1. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Add in the torn croissant pieces and gently toss in the egg mixture
Strawberry and cream french toast bake base ingredients
  1. Place half the dipped croissants in the greased baking dish, covering the bottom of the pan.
  2. Add dollops of the jam and cream cheese onto the bottom layer of the croissants.
  3. Add the remaining croissants on top. (The top layer does not need to completely cover the cream cheese and jam). Lightly sprinkle the layer with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
  4. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the croissants.
  5. Cover and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.  For best results, chill overnight.
  6. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 42-48-minutes or until the french toast is golden and crisp.
  7. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream, fresh berries, powdered sugar, and maple syrup.
Strawberry and cream french toast bake with strawberries

Note: Made as is, this recipe results in a dish offering a subtle contrast between the sharpness of the cream cheese and the sweetened bread.  If you prefer a sweeter taste, more reminiscent of a strawberry cheesecake, whisk ~1/4 cup of sugar to the cream cheese before dolloping it on the bottom layer of dipped croissant pieces, and lightly sprinkle the top of the dish with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon (I usually use 3 parts sugar to 1 part cinnamon).  

This recipe can be prepared the night before and chilled for up to 24 hours before popping it in the oven shortly before guests arrive/awake.  The cinnamon wafting through the house makes for a wonderful way to greet the day and your guests.

XOXO,

Strawberry and cream french toast bake croissant base

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