Easy Baked Strawberry French Toast

This easy baked strawberry French toast makes a decadent breakfast for any occasion! Golden slices of challah (or brioche bread) are filled with homemade strawberry preserves and creamy mascarpone (soft Italian cream cheese). With a bit of planning, you can have this strawberry French toast bake ready to pop into the oven first thing in the morning.

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A loaf of golden challah or brioche bread makes this a decadent overnight French toast casserole that you can prep ahead, refrigerate overnight, and bake the next morning.

It bakes up puffed and golden, with crisp edges. Serve with fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and warm maple syrup for the very best breakfast!

More favorite overnight breakfast ideas: Overnight Belgian-style yeast waffles and overnight brioche cinnamon rolls!

Success Tips

Use a 9-inch round or square ceramic baking dish for this recipe. To prevent the French toast from sticking, coat the baking dish with softened butter.

You’ll need 20 oz of challah bread or brioche bread. I recommend using day-old bread that is slightly dry. If you only have fresh bread on hand, bake the bread slices in the oven on a wire rack at 300°F for 7 or 8 minutes per side, until dry and slightly toasted.

More favorite strawberry recipes:

• Easy Fresh Strawberry Crisp
• Strawberry Vanilla Sheet Cake
• Strawberry Cookie Tart
• Brown Butter Strawberry Crumb Bars

Easy Baked Strawberry French Toast

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review

• Author: Laura Kasavan
• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 65 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Bake
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This easy baked strawberry French toast makes a decadent breakfast for any occasion! Golden slices of challah (or brioche bread) are filled with homemade strawberry preserves and creamy mascarpone (soft Italian cream cheese). Serve with fresh strawberries and maple syrup!

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Ingredients

Strawberry Preserves

• 2 1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp fresh lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

French Toast Bake

• 20 oz loaf day-old challah bread (or brioche)
• 2/3 cup strawberry preserves (from above)
• 3 oz mascarpone, at room temperature
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups milk, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

Topping

• 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, divided
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• powdered sugar, for serving
• maple syrup, for serving

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Instructions

1. Make strawberry preserves: Combine sliced strawberries, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a medium heavy saucepan. Bring to a rapid boil over medium heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until strawberries are broken down and mixture is the consistency of preserves and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and pour into a glass jar; let cool to room temperature before using (strawberry preserves can be made ahead and chilled overnight once cool).
2. Assemble French toast: Butter a 9-inch round or square baking dish. Slice challah into 1 1/2-inch thick slices, then cut each slice almost in half, leaving a 1/4-inch border connected at the bottom. Spread strawberry preserves on one side of the inside of the bread, and mascarpone on the other side. Press slices gently to sandwich together.
3. Beat eggs in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Whisk in milk, heavy cream, melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt until combined. Working in batches, dip challah into egg mixture, turning to coat. Overlap challah slices in prepared baking dish and pour remaining batter over the top.
4. Chill assembled French toast: Spray a piece of foil with nonstick spray and cover baking dish. Refrigerate assembled French toast for at least 2 hours or overnight.
5. Bake French toast: Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake, covered with foil, for 30 minutes. Remove foil and top with 1 cup sliced strawberries and sugar. Continue baking for another 35 to 40 minutes, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 170°F, and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean (if top is browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil).
6. Remove from oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack before serving with powdered sugar, maple syrup, and remaining fresh strawberries.
7. French toast bake is best enjoyed right away – refrigerate any leftovers overnight and reheat in the oven before serving.

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Notes

Berries: For the best flavor, I recommend using fresh strawberries to make strawberry jam filling.

Strawberry preserves: If you’re short on time, you can substitute 2/3 cup jarred strawberry preserves instead of making your own.

More flavor ideas: Add fresh lemon zest or orange zest to the custard mixture, or use 1 teaspoon almond extract instead of vanilla extract.