Strawberry Almond French Toast Casserole
Looking for a breakfast that feels fancy but comes together with minimal effort? This strawberry almond french toast casserole is your answer. Picture this: cubes of buttery brioche soaking up a sweet cinnamon custard, layered with fresh strawberries and little pockets of marzipan that melt into almond-scented goodness. The best part? You can throw it together the night before and just pop it in the oven when you wake up.
This is the kind of breakfast that turns a regular weekend into something special. Whether you’re feeding overnight guests, celebrating a holiday morning, or just treating yourself to something beyond the usual scrambled eggs, this casserole delivers big on flavor without keeping you stuck in the kitchen.
Before you get started
The key to this recipe is giving it enough time to soak. While 2 hours works, overnight is where you really win. All that time lets the brioche absorb every bit of that sweet custard mixture, so you get a perfectly custardy center with golden edges. Make sure to cube your brioche into similar-sized pieces – bout 1-inch cubes work great. Too small and they’ll get mushy, too big and the center stays dry. And here’s a pro tip: slightly stale brioche actually works better than super fresh because it soaks up more liquid without falling apart.
What You Need To Make Strawberry Almond French Toast Casserole
For this casserole, you’ll need brioche bread, eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, fresh strawberries, and marzipan for that subtle almond flavor. Don’t forget the maple syrup and powdered sugar for serving. Check the recipe card for exact measurements.
How To Make Strawberry Almond French Toast Casserole
Start by greasing your 9×13-inch baking dish really well with butter or cooking spray. Get into those corners – nothing worse than your beautiful casserole sticking. Toss half your brioche cubes into the dish, spreading them out in a nice even layer.
In a large bowl, whisk together your eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until everything’s completely smooth. No lumps of cinnamon floating around. Pour half of this custard mixture over the bread, making sure to drizzle it evenly so every cube gets some love. Give the bread a gentle press down with your spatula to help it start soaking.
Now for the fun part: scatter half your sliced strawberries and half the marzipan cubes over this first layer. The marzipan might seem like a small detail, but trust me, those little pockets of almond sweetness make all the difference. Add your remaining bread cubes on top, pour over the rest of the custard, and finish with the remaining strawberries and marzipan.
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Cover the whole thing tightly with foil and stick it in the fridge. This is where patience pays off, at least 2 hours, but overnight is ideal. The bread needs time to drink up all that custardy goodness.
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Pull the casserole from the fridge while the oven heats up, this helps it bake more evenly. Bake it covered for the first 25 minutes, then remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes to get that gorgeous golden top. You’ll know it’s done when the center is set and doesn’t jiggle when you shake the pan.
Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This gives everything time to set up so you get nice clean slices. Drizzle with warm maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar for that restaurant-style finish.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use regular sandwich bread instead of brioche?
While you can use other breads, brioche really makes this special with its buttery richness. Challah is your next best bet, or even a sturdy French bread. Just avoid anything too thin or soft—it’ll turn to mush.
What can I substitute for marzipan?
If you can’t find marzipan or aren’t a fan, try sliced almonds or even white chocolate chips. You could also add a splash of almond extract to the custard for that almond flavor without the chunks.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Fresh is definitely best here since frozen strawberries release a lot of water as they thaw. If frozen is all you have, thaw them completely and pat them dry before using, but expect a slightly softer texture.
How long does this keep?
Covered in the fridge, leftovers stay good for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or pop the whole dish back in a 300°F oven until warmed through.
Strawberry Almond French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the cubed brioche bread in the baking dish in an even layer.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, coconut sugar, vanilla extract, marzipan, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over half the cubed brioche loaf, making sure all pieces are coated. Gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the liquid.
- Sprinkle the sliced fresh strawberries evenly over the top of the bread mixture. Repeat for one more layer
- Cover the baking dish with foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the bread to soak up the egg mixture.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the French toast bake is golden brown and set in the center.
- Once baked, remove the French toast bake from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with maple syrup drizzled over the top. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar before serving.
