Zapisz Indulge in the ultimate morning luxury with this Caramel Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole. This decadent overnight brunch dish transforms buttery brioche and rich cream cheese into a golden, gooey masterpiece, making it the perfect centerpiece for a holiday breakfast or a special weekend treat.
Zapisz The magic of this casserole lies in the overnight chilling process. As the brioche cubes sit in the vanilla-cinnamon custard, they absorb every bit of moisture, ensuring that the interior stays incredibly tender while the bottom caramelizes into a sticky, sweet layer.
Ingredients
- Bread & Dairy: 1 loaf (about 500 g) brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 6 large eggs
- 360 ml (1½ cups) whole milk
- 120 ml (½ cup) heavy cream
- 120 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Caramel Sauce: 200 g (1 cup) light brown sugar, packed
- 120 g (½ cup) unsalted butter
- 60 ml (¼ cup) heavy cream
- Topping: 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the caramel sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt brown sugar and butter, stirring constantly until smooth and bubbling, about 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in heavy cream until fully combined. Pour the caramel sauce into the bottom of a greased 23x33 cm (9x13-inch) baking dish.
- Step 2: Layer the bread
- Arrange half of the bread cubes evenly over the caramel layer.
- Step 3: Add cream cheese
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese over the bread layer, spreading gently but leaving some dollops.
- Step 4: Complete bread layers
- Top with the remaining bread cubes.
- Step 5: Whisk the custard
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth. Pour evenly over the bread and cream cheese layers, pressing gently to soak.
- Step 6: Refrigerate overnight
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours) to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
- Step 7: Temper before baking
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Remove casserole from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes.
- Step 8: Apply topping
- In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Step 9: Bake until golden
- Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until puffed, golden, and set in the center. If browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
- Step 10: Cool and serve
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally with extra caramel sauce or fresh berries.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Using stale bread is highly recommended as it absorbs the custard much better than fresh bread. If your bread is fresh, you can lightly toast the cubes in a low oven for a few minutes to dry them out. Also, ensure the cream cheese is fully softened to achieve the best texture when dolloping it between layers.
Varianten und Anpassungen
For a slightly lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream in the custard with half-and-half. If you want to add a bit of crunch, try sprinkling chopped pecans or walnuts between the bread layers. You can also experiment with different types of bread like thick-cut Texas toast if brioche is unavailable.
Serviervorschläge
This rich casserole is best served warm. It pairs beautifully with a side of fresh seasonal fruit to balance the sweetness, or even a few strips of crispy bacon for a salty contrast. For a festive touch, serve it alongside a light mimosa or a fresh pot of coffee.
Zapisz Whether you're hosting a holiday brunch or just looking to spoil your family on a Sunday morning, this Caramel Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole delivers an indulgent experience that everyone will remember. It's a sweet, comforting dish that makes every morning feel like a special occasion.
Najczęściej zadawane pytania dotyczące przepisów
- → Czy mogę przygotować zapiekankę tego samego dnia?
Najlepiej przygotować ją overnight, ale minimum 6 godzin moczenia chleba w custardzie jest konieczne dla odpowiedniej konsystencji.
- → Jakim chlebem mogę zastąpić brioche?
Challah to doskonała alternatywa, możesz też użyć ciasta drożdżowego lub zwykłego białego chleba, najlepiej lekko czerstwego.
- → Jak przechowywać resztki?
Przechowuj w lodówce do 3 dni w szczelnym pojemniku. Podgrzej w piekarniku w 160°C lub w mikrofalówce przed podaniem.
- → Czy mogę dodać owoce do zapiekanki?
Tak, możesz dodać między warstwy pokrojone jabłka, jagody lub banany. Unikaj zbyt soczystych owoców, które mogą rozwodnić zapiekankę.
- → Dlaczego zapiekanka musi odstać przed pieczeniem?
Odstanie w temperaturze pokojowej przez 20-30 minut zapewnia równomierne pieczenie i zapobiega pękaniu w środku.
- → Jak sprawdzić, czy zapiekanka jest gotowa?
Środek powinien być ścięty, a wierzch złocisty. Możesz delikatnie wstrząsnąć naczynia - środek nie powinien być płynny.