Pin it Start your morning with a luxurious Cream Cheese Swirl Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake. This decadent overnight casserole blends the comforting flavors of mashed bananas and warm spices with rich cream cheese swirls and pillowy bread, making it the ultimate centerpiece for a special brunch or a cozy family morning.
Pin it The secret to this recipe lies in the chilling time, which allows the brioche or challah to fully soak up the rich custard. As it bakes, the kitchen fills with the irresistible aroma of cinnamon and vanilla, promising a gourmet breakfast experience with minimal effort on the day of serving.
Ingredients
- Bread Base: 1 large loaf brioche or challah bread (about 500 g), cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed; 6 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) whole milk; 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream; 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar; 1/4 cup (60 g) granulated sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- Cream Cheese Swirl: 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened; 3 tbsp (45 g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg yolk; 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping: 2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter, melted; 1/3 cup (65 g) light brown sugar; 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Step 1
- Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
- Step 2
- Arrange half of the cubed bread evenly in the dish.
- Step 3
- In a large bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, eggs, milk, cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
- Step 4
- Pour half of the custard mixture over the bread cubes, pressing gently to soak.
- Step 5
- In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Dollop by spoonfuls over the soaked bread.
- Step 6
- Top with remaining bread cubes, then pour over the rest of the custard. Gently press to ensure all bread is moistened.
- Step 7
- For the cinnamon sugar topping, mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle or dot over the casserole.
- Step 8
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight (minimum 6 hours, ideally 8).
- Step 9
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove casserole from fridge while oven heats.
- Step 10
- Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until puffed and golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 11
- Cool for 10–15 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For the best results, use stale or day-old bread, as its drier texture allows it to absorb the custard without becoming too soft. This dish is also freezer-friendly; you can assemble the entire casserole, wrap it tightly, and freeze it unbaked for up to one month. Just remember to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Varianten und Anpassungen
You can add a delightful textural contrast by sprinkling chopped pecans or walnuts over the top of the dish before it goes into the oven. This adds a nutty crunch that complements the soft, custard-soaked brioche and sweet banana notes.
Serviervorschläge
Enjoy this bake while it is warm, perhaps with a drizzle of pure maple syrup or a light dusting of powdered sugar. It pairs beautifully with a cup of strong coffee or a spicy chai tea to balance the sweetness of the cinnamon swirl.
Pin it With its rich layers and indulgent flavors, this Cream Cheese Swirl Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake is sure to become a favorite for any holiday or weekend breakfast. It provides the ultimate comfort food experience in every pillowy bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use different bread instead of brioche or challah?
While brioche and challah provide the richest, most tender texture, you can substitute French bread, sourdough, or even day-old croissants. Avoid very dense breads as they won't absorb the custard properly. Stale or day-old bread actually works best since it soaks up the liquid without becoming mushy.
- → How long should I refrigerate the casserole before baking?
For optimal texture, refrigerate at least 6 hours but ideally 8 hours overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard and flavors to meld. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance—the longer it sits, the more French toast-like the texture becomes.
- → Can I freeze this assembled but unbaked?
Absolutely. Assemble the complete casserole, wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it's still slightly cold in the center.
- → How do I know when it's fully baked?
The casserole is done when it's puffed and golden across the top, the edges are pulling away slightly from the dish, and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. The center should feel set rather than jiggly. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving—it will deflate slightly, which is normal.
- → What toppings pair well with this bake?
Warm maple syrup is classic, but you can also drizzle with vanilla glaze, dust with powdered sugar, or add fresh berries for contrast. For crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the cinnamon sugar layer before baking. A dollop of whipped cream or a side of crisp bacon balances the sweetness beautifully.
- → Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
You can reduce the sugars by about 25% without affecting the texture significantly. The custard sugars provide structure and moisture, while the topping creates that signature crispy crust. For a less sweet version, reduce the brown sugar in the custard to 1/4 cup and keep the cinnamon sugar topping as-is for the best textural contrast.