Mixed Berry French Toast Bake

Being prepared and starting the morning off with a great breakfast is a wonderful way to begin the day. Whether it be a special holiday, special occasion, or just a special, lazy Sunday, this Mixed Berry French Toast Bake will be a treasured treat at your breakfast table. The crusty French bread loaded with juicy mixed berries, and topped with a sweet brown sugar coating, is top-of-the-line when it comes starting your day out right. Mixed Berry French Toast Bake is meant to be made the day before, relieving any early morning preparation stress. Just pop it in the oven in the morning and you are all set to enjoy an elegant, but simple treat. Slow down and enjoy a wonderful morning spent with the ones you love!

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 large eggs
• 1 (1-pound) loaf French bread, cubed
• 2 tablespoons butter, cold
• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/2 cups fresh mixed berries
• confectioners’ sugar, optional, to taste, for serving
• maple syrup, optional, to taste, for serving

Directions

Step 1 –Lightly coat a 10×15-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Step 2 –In a large bowl, add the milk, the granulated sugar, the cinnamon, the vanilla extract, and the salt and whisk well.

Step 3 –Add the eggs to the milk mixture and whisk well.

Step 4 –Evenly place the French bread cubes in the prepared baking dish.

Step 5 –Evenly pour the egg mixture over the French bread cubes and gently stir to combine.

Step 6 –Tightly cover the French toast mixture with a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil and chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours and up to overnight.

Step 7 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 8 –Discard the plastic wrap from the baking dish and cover with the foil.

Step 9 –Bake the French toast casserole, covered, for 30 minutes.

Step 10 –In a small bowl, cut the butter into the brown sugar until it is crumbly.

Step 11 –Add the mixed berries to the top of the French toast mixture and gently stir to combine.

Step 12 –Evenly add the brown sugar mixture to the top of the French toast bake.

Step 13 –Bake the French toast bake, uncovered, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20-30 minutes.

Step 14 –Serve the French toast bake topped with the confectioners’ powdered sugar and the maple syrup.