Quick French Toast Casserole With Strawberry Sauce Recipe

Sunday mornings call for a breakfast that feels special without requiring hours of active work at the stove. I rely on this French Toast Casserole With Strawberry Sauce because it allows me to enjoy my coffee while the oven does the heavy lifting.

The combination of soft, custard-soaked bread and bright, fruity topping creates a balance that my family requests often. You get all the classic flavors of french toast in a sliceable form that feeds a crowd easily.

Why You’ll Love This French Toast Casserole With Strawberry Sauce

The texture contrasts soft, custard-soaked centers with golden, crisp edges for a satisfying bite every time. You never have to worry about soggy bread when using the right ratio of eggs to milk.

You can assemble the entire dish the night before, making morning hosting stress-free and relaxed. It sits in the fridge overnight, allowing the flavors to meld perfectly before baking.

The homemade strawberry topping cuts through the richness of the egg custard with bright, natural acidity. It tastes far superior to store-bought syrup and comes together in minutes on the stovetop.

If you enjoyed this sweet start to the day, try my Egg Zucchini Breakfast Muffin Sandwich for a savory option, while the Easy Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread offers another crowd-pleasing bake.

Ingredients for French Toast Casserole With Strawberry Sauce

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Brioche or Challah Bread: A sturdy, egg-enriched loaf works best to absorb the custard without disintegrating.
• Large Eggs: These provide the structure and richness essential for the custard base.
• Whole Milk: Creates a creamy liquid base for soaking the bread cubes.
• Heavy Cream: Adds a luxurious richness that makes the casserole tender.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens both the custard mixture and the strawberry sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Brings a deep, caramel-like flavor to the topping and custard.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweet flavors and adds aroma to the bake.
• Ground Cinnamon: Provides the classic warm spice flavor associated with french toast.
• Fresh Strawberries: The star ingredient for the bright, fruity sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Adds necessary acidity to balance the sweetness of the fruit sauce.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the strawberry sauce to the perfect spoonable consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Used for greasing the pan and dotting the top for browning.

My Method for French Toast Casserole With Strawberry Sauce

Let’s get cooking!

1. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish generously with butter and arrange the cubed bread in an even layer.
2. Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a large bowl until fully combined.
3. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, pressing down slightly to ensure every piece gets soaked.
4. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to let the bread absorb the liquid.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the casserole uncovered for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set.
6. Combine chopped strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a saucepan over medium heat while the casserole bakes.
7. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, mashing slightly, until the berries break down and the mixture thickens.

Tips for Perfect French Toast Casserole With Strawberry Sauce

Stale bread absorbs the custard much better than fresh bread, preventing a mushy final texture. I often leave my bread cubes out on a baking sheet for a few hours before assembling.

Do not skimp on the soaking time, as it ensures the flavor penetrates all the way through each cube. An overnight rest in the fridge yields the most consistent and flavorful French Toast Casserole With Strawberry Sauce.

If the top starts browning too quickly before the center sets, tent the dish loosely with aluminum foil. This technique ensures the custard cooks through completely without burning the crisp edges.

Serving French Toast Casserole With Strawberry Sauce

I like to dust the warm casserole with powdered sugar right before bringing it to the table for a festive look. A dollop of whipped cream adds a cool, creamy contrast to the warm fruit sauce.

Serve this French Toast Casserole With Strawberry Sauce alongside crispy hash browns or savory sausage to balance the sweetness. It pairs beautifully with hot coffee or fresh orange juice for a complete brunch spread.