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This just might be our family’s favorite french toast recipe. It’s our ode to strawberry cheesecake, and the perfect excuse to enjoy a decadent treat for breakfast or brunch. Kids and adults alike love this sweet, berry and cream cheese-loaded dish on it’s own, but we take it to the next level with strawberry syrup – yum!

You’ll need to refrigerate the casserole before baking, to let the egg mixture soak into the bread, so we usually prep ours the night before, then all we have to do when we wake up is pop it in the oven! Less prep work and more time with the family in the morning is always a good thing!

Serves 8-10

1 hour 30 minutes active; 4-8 hours inactive

4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5
Rated by 8 reviewers
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you're making mealtime meaningful.
100% of the Share to Care sponsor fees fund meals for families in need. Learn More
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Ingredients
  • French Toast:
  • 10-12 pieces thick-sliced bread (Challah, French, Texas Toast, etc.)
  • 12 eggs
  • 3 cups strawberries, sliced, plus more for garnish
  • 1 (8oz) package cream cheese
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Strawberry Syrup:
  • 3/4 cup strawberry jam
  • 3/4 cup maple syrup
Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl, cream together sugar and cream cheese, and lemon juice, and thoroughly combine.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, half-and-half, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, and set aside.
  3. Cut bread into cubes, and transfer to bowl with egg mixture. Stir to coat.
  4. Layer half of bread mixture in bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, then layer half of sliced strawberries and half of cream cheese mixture. Repeat each layer with remaining ingredients.
  5. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate 4-8 hours, or overnight (optional).
  6. Preheat oven to 350ºF, and remove casserole from fridge while the oven heats.
  7. Leaving foil on, bake casserole for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 25-30 minutes, or until top is golden brown and egg mixture is cooked through.
  8. While casserole is baking, mix together strawberry jam and maple syrup in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high at 30 second intervals until mixture is warm and jam has melted into syrup.
  9. Serve casserole warm with strawberry syrup, and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Mom On Time Out