Description
A delicious and easy-to-make strawberry cheesecake French toast bake, perfect for a delightful breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 12 slices thick-cut brioche or challah, cubed
- 10 large eggs
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 1/2 cup seedless strawberry jam
- 1/2 cup high-quality maple syrup
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, 1 large egg, lemon juice, and salt until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the 10 eggs, whole milk, half-and-half, 1/3 cup maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until fully combined. Set aside.
- Cube the brioche or challah bread and set aside. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese filling onto some bread cubes, sprinkle with strawberries, then top with another bread cube to create mini sandwiches. Cut into smaller cubes.
- Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer half of the bread cubes in the dish, drizzle with half of the cream cheese mixture, scatter remaining strawberries, then top with remaining bread cubes and cream cheese mixture.
- Pour the custard mixture over the entire dish and press down gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Let the baking dish sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 25-35 minutes until golden brown.
- Combine strawberry jam and maple syrup in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until smooth. Drizzle over the bake before serving.
- Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes, portion into squares, and serve warm, ideally with whipped cream or ice cream.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese filling is well combined with no lumps for a smooth cheesecake layer.
- Soaking the bread overnight enhances the custardy texture.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 140mg