Caramel Cream Cheese French Toast (Printable Version)

Layered brioche with creamy cheese and caramel baked to golden perfection for a sweet breakfast treat.

# Ingredient List:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (approximately 18 oz)
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1 cup whole milk
04 - 1 cup heavy cream
05 - 5 large eggs
06 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

→ Sugar & Flavorings

07 - ¾ cup granulated sugar
08 - ½ cup packed light brown sugar
09 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
10 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
11 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Caramel Sauce

12 - 1 cup store-bought or homemade caramel sauce

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with ¼ cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
04 - Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bread layer.
05 - Drizzle half of the caramel sauce over the cream cheese and bread layer.
06 - Top with the remaining bread cubes, distributing evenly.
07 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, melted butter, remaining granulated sugar, brown sugar, remaining vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
08 - Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread layers, pressing down gently to ensure thorough soaking.
09 - Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and bread to fully absorb the custard.
10 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove casserole from refrigerator approximately 15 minutes before baking.
11 - Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set. Cover loosely with aluminum foil if browning too quickly.
12 - Warm the remaining caramel sauce and drizzle generously over the baked casserole immediately before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You assemble it the night before, so morning-of panic is completely eliminated.
  • The cream cheese layer stays soft and dreamy, unlike regular French toast that can dry out.
  • Caramel drizzled twice (before and after baking) means every bite tastes indulgent without feeling heavy.
  • It's elegant enough for guests but honestly foolproof enough that even tired mornings feel manageable.
02 -
  • Do not skip the overnight chill—those hours are when the bread transforms from individual cubes into a cohesive, custardy whole.
  • If the top browns too quickly during baking, loosely tent it with foil and add five to ten minutes to the cooking time; this prevents burnt edges while the center finishes cooking.
03 -
  • Cold eggs, milk, and cream go into the mixer slightly warmer than cold, so they emulsify smoothly without lumps and incorporate the cream cheese mixture evenly.
  • Resist the urge to rotate the pan halfway through baking; let the oven do its job and only rotate if you notice one side browning faster than the other.
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