Chocolate Strawberry French Toast Casserole is a sweet, chocolate-y, make-ahead overnight baked French Toast casserole that is perfect for a holiday breakfast or brunch.
Whether you are celebrating Mother’s Day, Valentines Day, or you are wanting a delicious dish for an Easter Brunch or Christmas breakfast, this Chocolate Strawberry French Toast Casserole is a wonderful, sweet dish that is perfect for any celebration.
You can assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning to save time and it will be a family favorite with the sliced strawberries and melted chocolate drizzled over the top!
It is one of our favorite Breakfast Recipes, along with Blueberry Strawberry French Toast Casserole, Chocolate Pancakes, Strawberry Pancakes, Vanilla Baked Donuts, and Cinnamon Roll French Toast!
What Makes This Recipe Work
This recipe works because it is a tried and true make ahead breakfast recipe that has a crunchy top, and soft center, covered in a sweet, creamy custard sauce, and drizzled with melted chocolate and covered in sliced strawberries.
It allows you to save time in the morning by making it the night before and just popping it in the oven in the morning for a no-fuss breakfast.
It is easy to make. All you have to do is follow the step by step directions and photos below.
How To Make Chocolate Strawberry French Toast Casserole
Equipment
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Ingredients
Below I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions in case you don’t have a specific ingredient on hand. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.
- Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread – If you can’t find the bread with chocolate chips, then use regular Brioche Bread and add a layer of chocolate chips to the recipe.
- Strawberries – I recommend using fresh strawberries.
- Eggs
- Cream Cheese
- Maple Syrup – Be sure to use real maple syrup and not an imitation pancake syrup. It makes a big difference in flavor.
- Vanilla – Use pure vanilla extract and not the imitation.
- Milk
- Heavy Cream – If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use Half and Half (Half cream and half milk) to replace both the milk and heavy cream.
- Cinnamon
Directions
- Cut brioche loaf into 1-inch pieces and use half to line a 2 ½ quart baking dish, pressing the bread down into the dish.
- In a medium mixing bowl add block of cream cheese and microwave for 60 seconds on high to soften.
- Add maple syrup and vanilla to cream cheese and stir until the mixture becomes smooth.
- Pour mixture over first layer of bread and use a spatula to ensure an even layer.
- Next, sprinkle half the strawberries over cream cheese mixture.
- Add remaining bread to dish and press down.
- In a large mixing bowl add 6 eggs, milk, heavy cream, and cinnamon. Whisk to combine.
- Pour egg mixture into dish. Cover dish and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- When you are ready to bake your casserole, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Baking a little longer results in a firmer less moist French toast.
- When finished baking, top with remaining diced strawberries. For extra garnish you can drizzle chocolate syrup over the casserole or powdered sugar is also nice! Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Let this dish sit for about 15 minutes after baking. This gives the eggs a chance to settle.
- If you can’t find chocolate chip brioche bread, you can use regular brioche bread and add a layer of chocolate chips to your dish!
What To Serve With Chocolate Strawberry French Toast Casserole
Frequently Asked Questions
- How To Avoid A Soggy French Toast Casserole
- Use the right type of bread. Use Brioche, Challah, or French bread. These breads can absorb the liquid but still maintain their structure. Don’t use everyday sandwich bread because that can turn into a soggy mess.
- Use Day Old Bread. Let the bread sit out for a day or two. Don’t use fresh, straight from the store bread. This way the bread is drying and can absorb more of the liquid.
- Don’t cut the Bread Too Small. Cut the bread into 1-inch pieces but don’t cut them any smaller than that.
- How Do I Store French Toast Casserole?
- Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Can I Freeze French Toast Casserole?
- Yes. You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
- Strawberry Chocolate Mousse Brownie
- Strawberry Nutella Pizza
- Apple Maple Bacon Stuffed French Toast
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Recipe
Chocolate Strawberry French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 loaf chocolate chip brioche bread (or regular brioche & 1/2 cup chocolate chips)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (1 block)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla
- 1 pound diced strawberries, divided
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons chocolate syrup (optional for garnish)
- 2 Tablespoons sifted powdered sugar (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Cut brioche loaf into 1-inch pieces and use half to line a 2 ½ quart baking dish, pressing the bread down into the dish.
- In a medium mixing bowl add block of cream cheese and microwave for 60 seconds on high to soften.
- Add maple syrup and vanilla to cream cheese and stir until the mixture becomes smooth.
- Pour mixture over first layer of bread and use a spatula to ensure an even layer.
- Next, sprinkle half the strawberries over cream cheese mixture.
- Add remaining bread to dish and press down.
- In a large mixing bowl add 6 eggs, milk, heavy cream, and cinnamon. Whisk to combine.
- Pour egg mixture into dish. Cover dish and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- When you are ready to bake your casserole, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Baking a little longer results in a firmer less moist French toast.
- When finished baking, top with remaining diced strawberries. For extra garnish you can drizzle chocolate syrup over the casserole or powdered sugar is also nice! Enjoy!
Notes
- Let this dish sit for about 15 minutes after baking. This gives the eggs a chance to settle.
- If you can’t find chocolate chip brioche bread, you can use regular brioche bread and add a layer of chocolate chips to your dish!
