Elegant Mother’s Day Brunch Casserole for Small Gatherings
This overnight French toast casserole combines brioche, cream cheese, and fresh berries into something special enough for Mother’s Day but easy enough to pull off without stress.
You’ll assemble everything the night before, then just pop it in the oven while you make coffee. It serves 6-8 people, so it’s ideal for intimate family gatherings.
Why Brioche Makes All the Difference
Regular bread turns mushy in overnight casseroles, but brioche’s buttery richness and sturdy structure hold up beautifully. The bread soaks up the custard without falling apart, creating custardy centers with slightly crispy tops.
If you can’t find brioche, challah works well too. Avoid sandwich bread or anything too soft – you need bread with some heft to it. Day-old brioche actually works better than fresh since it absorbs the custard mixture more evenly.
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The casserole needs at least 4 hours in the fridge, but overnight is better. The bread fully absorbs the custard, and the flavors meld together. You can even assemble it two days ahead.
Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before baking so it comes closer to room temperature. This prevents the center from staying cold while the edges overcook. Cover with foil if the top browns too quickly during baking.
Elegant Mother’s Day Brunch Casserole for Small Gatherings
Ingredients
Topping
Garnish
Equipment Needed
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Aluminum foil
Instructions
- Layer bread and fillings: Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange half the brioche cubes in the dish, then scatter the cream cheese cubes evenly over the bread. Add the remaining brioche cubes and sprinkle the berries on top.
- Make custard mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, making sure to get into all corners.
- Chill overnight: Gently press the bread down with a spatula to help it absorb the custard. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Prepare for baking: Remove casserole from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap and drizzle melted butter over the top, then sprinkle with brown sugar and sliced almonds.
- Bake until golden: Bake for 45-50 minutes, covering with foil if the top browns too quickly. The casserole is done when the center is set but still slightly jiggly, the top is golden brown, and a knife inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Serve and garnish: Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with additional maple syrup on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving (1 serving)
