This is a breakfast that you can make the night before and bake the next morning. It's perfect for a special breakfast meal when you might be having guests. It bakes into a light and fluffy sort of breakfast bread pudding. You can make the blueberry syrup to serve with it or just serve it with maple syrup and whipped cream, which is how I serve it. This will easily serve four to six people and if you have more than that, you can just double it all.
Spray a 2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Cut the bread in bite size cubes. Layer half of the bread in the bottom of the dish. Cube the block of cream cheese and layer over the bread. Sprinkle 1 cup of blueberries over the cream cheese. 
Layer the rest of the bread over the blueberries. Dot with butter.
Whisk together eggs, half and half, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour over the bread mixture making sure each piece gets covered. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
Take out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before you bake it. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Keep covered for the first 30 minutes and uncover for the last 30 minutes. It should be browned nicely on top at the end of the hour.
Serve with the blueberry syrup or just maple syrup and whipped cream. This is so delicious it could be served for dessert also.
Ingredients:
8 slices bread (I used Italian bread or Texas Toast works well also)
1 8 oz. block cream cheese (you can use light cream cheese in this)
8 eggs
1 1/2 cups half and half (can use whole milk)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 cup blueberries
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbs. butter
Blueberry Syrup
1 cup blueberries
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 Tbs. cornstarch
1 Tbs. butter
In a medium saucepan combine water, sugar, and cornstarch and bring to a boil. Add blueberries and simmer for 10 minutes or unti they burst. Add the butter and whisk until melted. Serve alongside the french toast bake.
Yum! I'm looking forward to blueberry picking and this would be a great recipe to make afterwards!
ReplyDeleteYes, it would be perfect for your fresh picked blueberries and it's really easy.
DeleteMmmm I love blueberries! This looks great!
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to use this for our Wednesday night carry-in dinner for a yummy dessert! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMaking this in the morning, it's all assembled and ready to go! Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteAlways looking for a special breakfast, for the weekends, especially with fresh fruit in it. This sounds so good, can't wait to try this upcoming weekend, too bad its only Monday!
ReplyDeleteThanks
I wonder if this would work good with Strawberries or maybe even apple pieces? Have to give it a try I guess because it looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteI'm baking it with strawberries in the morning!
DeleteStrawberries or any berry would definitely be great. Also, peaches work well in this. If you use fresh apples, you might want to saute them a bit in some butter before adding, because they might still be a little crunchy after the baking time. They would work well though if cooked just a little.
ReplyDeleteI know he'll love me after he eats this...lol
ReplyDeleteCan you use frozen blueberries?
ReplyDeleteSaved the recipe...GOT to try this one!
ReplyDeleteYou can used frozen blueberries instead of fresh ones.
ReplyDeleteI really want to subscribe to this blog, but first, it wants me to sign into Google for subscriptions, and I don't want the mail to go there. SEcond, I get a note saying this feed is not set for email subscriptions. Too bad, because I really love your posts!
ReplyDeleteI can't seem to subscribe to the posts. That's too bad, too. Great blog. I catch it when I can.
ReplyDeleteGreat recipe.. Many thanks for posting!! Like the idea can be prepared the night before. Glad you can use frozen fruit, since fresh is not always available in my area!
ReplyDeleteDo I have to use the cream cheese.
ReplyDeleteIs there a way to make this the day of instead of the night before? If so, what do I do after assembly? BTW I think this is going to be a weekly tradition! I can't wait til my son is a lil older to help make it. Looks D-lish!
ReplyDeleteThis will be my breakfast in the morning. I can't wait to try it! I didn't remember to assemble it ahead of time so I'll let you know how it turns out with same day preparation. I have enough to make it twice so I am going to experiment!
ReplyDeleteI made this for Mother's Day for my Mom and family and they absolutely loved this! I also made the blueberry syrup, which just sent this recipe over the top. I will definitely make this again. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteLove your recipes but find it hard to be able to copy and print for my cookbook. Is there anyway you can put them in print form. Would so love it. Thanks Jan
ReplyDeleteShould be able to copy and paste into whatever Word Processing Program you have and then save and print.
ReplyDeleteI love this. I make it all of the time. Thank you for the recipe. :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great recipe. I make using mixed berries usually but the blueberries especially fresh would be yummy. Thank you sweetie for sharing your wonderful family recipes. Happy Easter!
ReplyDelete