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Blackberry Baked French Toast

🥖🫐 Blackberry Baked French Toast

This Blackberry Baked French Toast is bursting with juicy blackberries and layered with soft, custardy bread. It’s baked to golden perfection and finished with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla. Prep it the night before or whip it up the same day—it’s always a crowd-pleaser!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Rest Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Foil (for baking)

Ingredients
  

For the French Toast:

  • 1 loaf 14–16 oz day-old French bread or brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1½ cups fresh or frozen blackberries
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk or half & half for extra richness
  • ½ cup heavy cream or more milk
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Topping:

  • 3 tablespoons butter melted
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Optional Garnishes:

  • Powdered sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Fresh blackberries
  • Whipped cream

Instructions
 

Prepare the dish

  • Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread half the bread cubes in the dish, then scatter half the blackberries on top. Repeat with remaining bread and berries.

Make the custard

  • In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour evenly over the bread and berries. Press down gently so all pieces soak.

Rest the mixture

  • Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight, covered, for the best texture.

Preheat oven and make topping

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a small bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle over the soaked bread.

Bake

  • Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown and center is set.

Cool and serve

  • Let cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fresh blackberries.

Notes

💡 Tips for Success
Day-old bread works best—it soaks up the custard without getting mushy
Swap in raspberries or blueberries if desired
Add a bit of lemon zest to the custard for brightness
Keyword blackberry baked french toast, make-ahead french toast, baked breakfast casserole, berry french toast bake, blackberry brunch recipe