This raspberry overnight french toast casserole is the ultimate secret weapon for your next weekend breakfast and brunch. By combining buttery cubes of brioche bread with berries and a silky custard, you have an easy brioche french toast bake that practically prepares itself while you sleep.
When you need reliable make ahead breakfast ideas, this berry breakfast casserole is a total game-changer. Instead of hovering over a hot griddle flipping individual slices, you can simply pop this dish into the oven and get back to your coffee. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a vibrant Spring brunch, Mother’s Day breakfast or lazy weekend brunch with family and friends.
With its golden, sugar-dusted crust and lemon-infused center, this sweet breakfast bake is as impressive to look at as it is to eat. Whether you’re hosting a holiday crowd or just want to make something special for your Sunday morning, this French toast recipe delivers maximum “wow” factor with minimal morning effort.
If you love baking for breakfast, try these coffee glazed donut holes, or one of these breakfast muffins recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Overnight French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Effortless Prep: With an overnight soak required, all the heavy lifting is done the evening before. It’s the ultimate breakfast meal prep idea that allows you to simply roll out of bed and pop it in the oven.
- Fresh Flavors: This isn’t your average syrup-heavy breakfast casserole. With lemon, yogurt, and fresh fruit, this french toast bake has a bright and zesty flavor you will love.
Ingredients
To make this brioche french toast casserole, you’ll need the following ingredients. I cover a few of the key ingredients here, you can find the specific quantities and steps in the recipe card below.
- Brioche bread: A loaf of day old brioche is perfect for french toast – it absorbs all the lovely custard without going too mushy. Other good alternatives are challah, or sourdough (without the thick crust). Just avoid regular sandwich bread as it is too soft.
- Raspberries: I prefer to use fresh berries, but you can use frozen – they will probably leach more liquid through the bake, but as it soaks overnight this isn’t really an issue. Other berries work well too – blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries.
- Almond extract: This gives the bake a little extra almond flavor, but it isn’t essential – and many people don’t like the flavor of almond extract. So skip if you prefer.
- Maple Syrup: This adds some sweetness to the custard. You can also use honey.
- Lemon zest: Fresh zest is the secret to the lovely fresh lemon flavor throughout this french toast casserole. Zest your lemons before slicing and juicing them.
- Almonds: I use flaked almonds, but you can also use chopped or slivered almonds.
How To Make Raspberry French Toast Bake
Here’s a quick overview of how to make a berry french toast casserole. For the full recipe details, including ingredients and measurements needed, scroll down to the printable recipe card below.
You will need a 9×13 oven-proof dish and a large bowl to get started.
Step 1: Grease your dish then spread half of the bread cubes into the dish. Scatter half the berries and almonds, then repeat with a second layer of bread, berries and almonds.
Step 2: Make the custard. In a large bowl add the custard ingredients and whisk to combine. Pour the custard over the bread mixture. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
Step 3: In the morning, preheat your oven, then make the lemon sugar mixture. Remove the dish from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap. Sprinkle the lemon sugar across the top of the bake.
While the bake is in the oven, prepare the lemon glaze.
Step 4: Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until golden and set in the center.
When ready to serve (best served warm), drizzle the lemon glaze over the top of the casserole. Serve with fresh berries, almonds, yogurt and/or some heavy cream.
Recipe Tips For Success
Use the right bread: Stale is actually better than fresh! If your brioche is very fresh, lightly toast the cubes in the oven for 10 minutes before assembling. This will help them hold their shape and prevent the bake becoming too soggy.
Leave to infuse: The flavors in this sweet brioche casserole taste best when given time to soak. I recommend at least 4 hours resting time before baking, preferably overnight.
What To Serve With Berry Brioche Casserole
Serve your french toast casserole with extra toppings to maximise all those fresh flavors! Fresh berries, Greek yogurt, toasted almonds and even a few dollops of heavy cream are all great options.
For coffee lovers, this breakfast bake would be lovely served with a glass of cold brew with vanilla sweet cream foam, or this iced chocolate shaken espresso.
How To Store Baked French Toast Casserole
Store: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
Freeze: You can prep and freeze this breakfast casserole ahead of time. Simply assemble the bake, cover tightly, and freeze unbaked for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
More Breakfast Recipes To Try
- These coffee cinnamon rolls are so quick and easy to make!
- Old fashioned sour cream coffee cake is an easy make ahead breakfast idea.
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Lemon Raspberry French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
FOR THE BASE
- 1 loaf brioche or challah, about 6 cups (see notes)
- 1½ cups raspberries fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup flaked almonds
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
FOR THE CUSTARD
- 6 large eggs
- 1¾ cups milk
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract optional
- Pinch cooking salt
FOR THE TOPPINGS
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest extra
FOR THE GLAZE (OPTIONAL)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
EXTRAS TO SERVE (OPTIONAL)
- fresh raspberries, almonds, yogurt or heavy cream, maple syrup
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 inch oven-proof dish and set aside.
- Prepare the bread: Cut the brioche into 1-inch cubes. Spread half the brioche cubes into the baking dish. Scatter half the raspberries and almonds over the top. Repeat with the remaining bread, berries, and almonds.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, almond extract (if using), lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Pour evenly over the bread. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Prepare the casserole: Preheat the oven to 350℉ (180℃). Remove the dish from the refrigerator. Mix the granulated sugar and lemon zest and sprinkle over the top of the casserole before baking.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until puffed, golden, and set in the center. Dust with powdered sugar, or prepare the lemon glaze and drizzle just before serving.
- Serve warm with extra raspberries, almonds, and dollops of yogurt or heavy cream.
Notes
- Bread: Brioche or challah are great options for this recipe, but you could use french bread or even croissants too. It is best to use day old or even slightly stale bread as it absorbs the custard well without going soggy.
- Raspberries: I prefer fresh raspberries, but you can also use frozen – just add them to the dish frozen.
- Make Ahead: Make the day before, or even prep and freeze. Simply assemble the bake, cover tightly, and freeze unbaked for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
- Leftovers: Cover leftovers and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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