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Cream Cheese Mascarpone French Toast Casserole with Crumb Topping Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 72 reviews
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is a decadent and comforting breakfast dish perfect for a weekend brunch or special occasion. Featuring cubes of French bread soaked in a sweet custard mixture, layered with a rich mascarpone and cream cheese blend, then topped with a crunchy cinnamon oat crumb topping, this casserole bakes to a golden perfection. Serve warm with maple syrup or a dusting of confectioners’ sugar for a deliciously indulgent start to your day.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Custard Mixture

  • 1 (14 ounce) loaf French bread
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2/3 cup (133g) packed light brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons (15ml) pure vanilla extract, divided

Cream Cheese Mixture

  • 4 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 4 ounces mascarpone
  • 2 Tablespoons (15g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (from the 3 teaspoons divided)

Crumb Topping

  • 1/3 cup (69g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/3 cup (41g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 8 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Optional Toppings

  • Maple syrup
  • Confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Baking Pan and Bread: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or any 3-4 quart oven-safe dish with nonstick spray. Slice the French bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly in the prepared baking pan.
  2. Make the Custard Mixture and Soak Bread: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, ground cinnamon, packed light brown sugar, and 2 3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth, ensuring no lumps of brown sugar remain. Pour this custard evenly over the bread cubes. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor and better soaking.
  3. Preheat Oven and Prepare Crumb Topping: Remove the soaked bread from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). In a medium bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, oats, all-purpose flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter with a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the soaked bread.
  4. Bake the Casserole: Place the baking pan uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until the top is golden brown. For a softer texture, bake closer to 45 minutes. The custard should be set when done.
  5. Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture: While the casserole bakes, beat the softened cream cheese and mascarpone in a medium bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium-high speed until completely smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing until combined and creamy.
  6. Add Cream Cheese Dollops: Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese and mascarpone mixture randomly over the partially baked bread casserole. Return to the oven and bake briefly until the cheese dollops melt slightly and become luscious, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  7. Serve: Remove from oven and optionally drizzle with maple syrup or dust with confectioners’ sugar just before serving. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
  8. Storage: Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

Notes

  • For best results, soak the bread overnight in the custard mixture to allow full flavor absorption.
  • You can substitute mascarpone with additional cream cheese if unavailable, though it will affect texture and richness slightly.
  • The crumb topping can be made in advance and refrigerated until ready to use.
  • Using stale or slightly dried French bread improves the texture as it soaks better without becoming mushy.
  • Adjust baking time depending on your oven; casserole is done when custard is set and topping is golden brown.
  • Serve with fresh berries or sliced fruit for added freshness.

Find it online: https://oliviadinner.com/cream-cheese-mascarpone-french-toast-casserole-with-crumb-topping-recipe/