Overnight Berry Baked French Toast is an easy make ahead breakfast recipe made with French bread, frozen berries and an oatmeal crumble topping that is an easy breakfast or brunch option for a large group or party.
Mix the eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar together. Pour over the french bread and carefully toss the mixture to coat the bread well.
Pour 2/3 of the soaked french bread into a greased casserole dish. Top with the frozen berries before adding the remaining soaked french bread.
Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours. When ready to bake remove casserole dish from oven and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
To make oatmeal crumble topping:
In a small bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt together.
Cut butter into small cubes and cut into oatmeal mixture with a fork, pastry blender, or your fingers until mixture is crumbly and no large chunks of butter remain.
Uncover the french toast bake and sprinkle the oatmeal crumble mixture over the top of the casserole dish. Bake for at least 45 minutes for a softer french toast and up to 60 minutes for a crispier crust.
Serve with syrup, powdered sugar, or whipped cream and more berries.
Notes
Day old French bread works better than bread baked the day off. If the bread is crusty it retains it's shape better and doesn't become so soggy when soaking.Change up the frozen fruit and use frozen sliced peaches, strawberries, or cherries. Use whatever kind of frozen fruit you like.If you want to make a lactose free version of this you can definitely substitute almond or coconut milk for the regular milk and coconut and a vegetable based spread like Smart Balance for the butter.Note: Removing the casserole dish 30 minutes before baking allows the dish to warm back up before placing it in a hot oven. Some cookware may break or shatter from the shock.