Blueberry French Toast with Lemon

This weekend, four of our closest college friends, along with their kiddos, are staying with us, and I cannot wait. I already have visions of us staying up too late chatting, playing cards and silly games, and gobbling giant servings of this Lemon Blueberry French Toast for breakfast. It will be just like old times, but with better wine and everyone fighting to wash the dishes. Parties in your 30s are the best.

This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze.

Whenever I’m making breakfast for more than two or three people, quick and easy overnight breakfast casseroles such as this Lemon Blueberry French Toast are my go-tos. Not only do they score full points with my guests, but because the (minimal) prep work all takes place the night before, in the morning I can focus on spending time with my guests instead of rushing around the kitchen.

Plus, since this weekend’s guest roster also includes a sweet two-year-old and four-year-old who wake up ready to play at 6:30 a.m., I know that we less-than-dewy-eyed adults will appreciate a breakfast that requires no effort beyond popping a pan of ready-made blueberry French toast in the oven.

Although I’d be excited to host our friends and their daughters on any weekend, I’m particularly excited that we’ll be together on Mother’s Day. One of the neatest things about growing older is seeing girlfriends I’ve known for more than a decade have children of their own. It’s both surreal and inspiring to watch my friend with her little girls, and I’m so happy we’ll be able to celebrate her Mother’s Day.

Whether it’s your own mom, a friend, or someone else who has inspired you by her example, Mother’s Day is an opportunity to show a lady in your life that she is appreciated. Flowers and gifts are lovely of course, but I think one of the best ways to say “I love you” is with a home cooked meal…and the washing of the dishes afterwards.

No matter your ability level in the kitchen, you can impress mom with this Lemon Blueberry French Toast. This recipe is ridiculously easy to make and a total delight to eat. It’s soft and fluffy inside, lightly golden and crisp on top, and bursting with juicy blueberries in every bite. The touch of lemon is fresh and lively, and it makes the French toast casserole feel especially fitting for spring.

Despite its creamy, custardy texture, this overnight blueberry French toast is on the lighter side and dairy free, thanks to an ingredient I always have in my pantry: Almond Breeze Almondmilk Unsweetened Vanilla. I first started using almondmilk in my cereal and smoothies because I enjoy its taste, and it’s since become my go-to for healthy baking as well. I stock up on the shelf-stable kind, which is convenient to store and ensures that I always have a carton or two on hand.

In addition to the almondmilk, I lighted up the blueberry French toast recipe further by using a higher ratio of egg whites and sweetening it with maple syrup instead of regular sugar. The result is a (relatively) healthy blueberry French toast that tastes just as fabulous as its more decadent counterparts.

You can serve this Lemon Blueberry French Toast with maple syrup, keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar, or avoid the decision all together and douse it with both. French toast casseroles are also super freezer friendly, so if you prefer, you can even make it well in advance.

Looking for more easy and delicious overnight French toast casserole recipes? Check out this Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole, Overnight Peach French Toast, and Coconut French Toast Bake.

For a step-by-step of how to make this Lemon Blueberry French Toast recipe, watch this short video:

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Lemon Blueberry French Toast

Overnight Lemon Blueberry French Toast Casserole. Easy, make-ahead recipe that’s perfect for a crowd. Soft and fluffy, and every bite bursts with berries!

Yield: 12 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 9 hours, 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 (14- to 16-ounce) loaf day-old sourdough bread, French bread, brioche, challah, or similar, cut into 1-inch cubes* (about 12 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 6 large eggs
• 4 large egg whites
• 2 cups Almond Breeze Almondmilk Unsweetened Vanilla
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• Zest of 1 large lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• For serving: Powdered sugar, maple syrup, vegan or regular butter

Directions:

1. Coat a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. Arrange the bread cubes (see notes if the cubes are still very soft or fresh) in an even layer in the pan, then sprinkle the blueberries over the top. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg whites, almondmilk, maple syrup, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour over the bread. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight. (If overnight is not possible, I recommend a minimum of 2 hours).
3. When ready to bake, remove the pan from the refrigerator. Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake, uncovered, for 45 to 55 minutes, until lightly golden brown on top and the bread in the center is moist but no longer liquidy. Serve hot, dusted with powdered sugar and topped with butter and maple syrup, as desired.

• *If time allows, I recommend setting the cubes out overnight to dry out so that they absorb the max amount of custard. If your bread is still fresh or very soft, toast it in the oven first: Place two racks in the upper and lower thirds of your oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the cubes out in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly dried, tossing once halfway through. Use in the recipe as directed.
• To freeze unbaked: Prepare the recipe up to step 2, but do not refrigerate overnight. Instead, place in the freezer and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake as directed.
• To freeze baked: Let cool completely, cover tightly, and freeze up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm up in a 350 degree F oven until heated through, about 30 to 40 minutes. If the French toast starts to become too brown while you are reheating it, cover with foil, then continue baking until hot.

All images and text ©Erin Clarke/Well Plated.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1 (of 12)

• Amount Per Serving:
• Calories: 172 Calories
• Total Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 93mg
• Sodium: 295mg
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 8g
• Protein: 10g