Description
This overnight breakfast casserole is a time-saving, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for busy mornings, family brunches, or holiday gatherings. Made with simple ingredients like bread, milk, and berries, it’s easily customizable to suit various diets, including vegan and gluten-free. Prep it the night before, refrigerate, and bake it fresh in the morning for a warm, golden breakfast everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups bread cubes (brioche, sourdough, or gluten-free bread)
- 2 cups milk (or plant-based milk)
- 1 cup applesauce or mashed banana
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (thawed and blotted dry if frozen)
Instructions
- Cut the bread into cubes. If not stale, dry them in a 300°F oven for 10–15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, applesauce (or banana), sweetener, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Grease a baking dish and spread bread cubes evenly across the bottom. Pour the liquid mixture over the bread.
- Scatter berries over the top and gently press everything down to soak the bread.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F, uncover the casserole, and bake for 45–60 minutes, or until golden and set.
- Let cool slightly, slice, and serve with toppings like syrup, fruit, or whipped cream.
Notes
- For best results, use slightly stale bread.
- This dish can be made vegan with plant-based milk and maple syrup.
- Add toppings like nuts, shredded coconut, or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Inspired