Delicious baked breakfast casserole filled with blackberries. This Blackberry French Toast Casserole is a favorite weekend breakfast and is perfect for a holiday brunch.
Make with fresh or frozen blackberries.
Breakfast Casserole
Weekend breakfasts are my favorite. They are a great time to start the day with a leisurely breakfast filled with your favorite food.
On the weekends, we often have pancakes or waffles, banana muffins, or spinach and ham quiche. We love to eat breakfast!
This Blackberry French Toast Casserole is also a favorite in our house. Made with a day old loaf of bread, blackberries and a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg. It's a perfect combination!
Everything bakes together and out comes a delicious french toast. Just add a bit of syrup and you have a delicious breakfast.
This casserole can be assembled the night before and baked in the morning.
Key ingredients
- French bread - day old is best
- Blackberries - fresh or frozen
- Eggs
- Milk - whole milk or 2% works best
- Vanilla
- Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg
Step by step directions
- Slice bread into large chunks. If bread is fresh, allow sliced bread to sit out for a bit so it dries just slightly.
- Mix eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon and nutmeg together in a large bowl
- Add bread and submerge so the bread absorbs all the liquid
- Fold in blackberries
- Place in a greased 9x13 inch pan
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 45-60 minutes
- Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup
Recipe tips
- Use a loaf of bread that is just slightly stale. You can also cut the loaf and let it dry slightly before adding to the egg mixture.
- Allow enough time for the bread to soak up the egg mixture. Soak for at least 30 minutes or assemble in the evening and refrigerate overnight.
- When using frozen berries, do not thaw before adding.
- Baking time will vary depending on if you used fresh or frozen berries and if your casserole dish was refrigerated overnight.
- Check your dish after 45 minutes and bake longer if needed.
- Casserole is done when there is no jiggle to the casserole and the center is cooked through.
Variations
- Use blueberries or raspberries or a combination of berries
- Use a loaf of cinnamon swirl bread instead of french bread
- Add a tablespoon of orange zest to the egg mixture
- Sprinkle a tablespoon of granulated sugar over casserole just before baking
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can make this an overnight french toast. Just refrigerate custard and bread overnight.
In the morning, fold in blackberries and then place in a greased casserole dish.
Any leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for 2-3 days. Reheat by placing a portion on a microwave dish and microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Serving suggestions
Another delicious French Toast Casserole to try is Strawberry French Toast.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
If you loved this recipe you’ll LOVE all the others in this category. Check out all my breakfast recipes!
French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
Topping
- 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Cut bread into large pieces.1 loaf French Bread
- In a large bowl combine eggs, milk vanilla, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.8 eggs, 2 cups milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, ¼ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Add bread and very lightly fold in so all pieces are covered with the mixture.
- Cover and let mixture rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Fold in blackberries.2 cups blackberries
- Pour mixture into a greased baking dish (9 x 13).
- Bake uncovered in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45-60 minutes.
- Allow casserole to cool 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.1 Tablespoon powdered sugar
Notes
- Use a loaf of bread that is just slightly stale. You can also cut the loaf and let it dry slightly before adding to the egg mixture.
- Allow enough time for the bread to soak up the egg mixture. Soak for at least 30 minutes or assemble in the evening and refrigerate overnight.
- When using frozen berries, do not thaw before adding.
- Baking time will vary depending on if you used fresh or frozen berries and if your casserole dish was refrigerated overnight.
- Check your dish after 45 minutes and bake longer if needed.
- Casserole is done when there is no jiggle to the casserole and the center is cooked through.
- Use blueberries or raspberries or a combination of berries
- Use a loaf of cinnamon swirl bread instead of french bread
- Add a tablespoon of orange zest to the egg mixture
- Sprinkle a tablespoon of granulated sugar over casserole just before baking
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Karen Sullivan says
How many ounces is that loaf of French bread? I may need to use an alternative and would like to know how much of it. Thank you
Kathy says
Hi Karen,
I would estimate about 14 ounces.
Enjoy!
Kathy 🙂
Karen Sullivan says
Thanks so much!
Kathy says
You bet! 🙂
Jackie says
Hi Kathy
If making this dish overnight, will I still be able to use frozen fruit since you suggest to not thaw the fruit if using frozen.
Kathy says
Hi Jackie,
You can still use frozen fruit and make it ahead of time.
Thanks for asking! 🙂
Kathy
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Oh boy, this post just makes me happy! French toast is a long time favorite of mine! These flavors are the bomb!!
Kathy says
They are delicious!
Fred G says
Great breakfast or early lunch idea
Kathy says
It's perfect for weekend breakfast!
David @ Spiced says
Heck yeah! I love a good French Toast Casserole, and the addition of blackberries here makes this one even better. I think my mouth is watering at the thought of making this casserole. Totally putting this one on my weekend agenda soon! Hope you're digging out of the snow up there, my friend!
Kathy says
Still lots of snow! Staying warm by staying inside and baking!
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
Now this is a casserole that I could love! Your drip shot had me swooning. Yum! Take care.
Kathy says
Thanks, Stacey!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Kathy, this looks so delicious! Love the crunchy bits on top and the berries! This would make a most wonderful breakfast!
Kathy says
It's a great way to start the day!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
We are always up for a french toast casserole at our house Kathy. And I love the added blackberries. I don't think they get enough attention, and they're so juicy and delicious! Pinned!
Kathy says
Let's hear it for the blackberry!