Description
A bright and indulgent overnight French toast bake featuring lemon zest and fresh blueberries, perfect for a cozy brunch with minimal morning prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups cubed brioche or challah bread, preferably day-old
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups whole milk (can substitute almond or oat milk for dairy-free)
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
- ½ cup granulated sugar (can substitute light brown sugar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw frozen)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for greasing)
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Grease your 9×13 inch baking dish with melted butter, coating all sides to prevent sticking.
- Cube bread into roughly 1-inch pieces and place evenly in the baking dish. Toast fresh bread lightly for 5 minutes if using.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Pour custard mixture evenly over bread cubes, pressing gently with a spatula to soak the bread without making it soggy.
- Scatter blueberries evenly on top and gently press some into the bread.
- Cover dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or at least 6 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F about 30 minutes before baking. Remove plastic wrap and optionally sprinkle extra sugar or cinnamon on top.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until top is golden brown and custard is set (toothpick should come out clean but moist).
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
Use day-old brioche or challah for best texture. Frozen blueberries can be used without thawing. For a crispier top, sprinkle turbinado sugar before baking. Let soak overnight for best results; minimum 6 hours acceptable. Use gluten-free bread and dairy-free milk for special diets. Reheat leftovers in oven at 325°F for 10-12 minutes to preserve texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Brunch
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximate
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 9
Keywords: lemon blueberry, overnight French toast bake, brunch recipe, easy breakfast, lemon zest, custard, blueberry bake