With years hosting brunches, I created this Lemon-Blueberry Overnight French Toast Casserole to deliver bakery-quality flavor at home—prep before bed and wake to a warm, gooey breakfast.

Experience & Expertise:
I refined custard ratios to ensure the brioche soaks through without turning mushy, and found that fresh lemon zest brightens the rich custard.

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 1 loaf brioche or challah, cubed (8 cups)

• 2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)

• 4 large eggs

• ½ cup sugar

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1½ cups fresh blueberries

• Optional: powdered sugar to dust

Steps

1. Assemble (5 min): In buttered baking dish, layer bread cubes and blueberries.

2. Mix custard: Whisk milk, eggs, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla. Pour evenly over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

3. Bake (35–40 min): Next morning, preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Bake uncovered until top is golden and custard is set.

4. Serve: Dust with powdered sugar; serve with maple syrup.

Pro Tip: Day-old brioche absorbs custard best, creating a custardy interior and crisp top.