Description
This Overnight Breakfast Casserole is a delicious and nutritious make-ahead dish featuring mixed berries, thick bread cubes, and a custard-like blend of applesauce, milk, and egg whites. Perfect for busy mornings, it’s soaked overnight and baked to a golden perfection, offering a warm and comforting start to your day.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 6 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
Bread
- 1 pound thick bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
Custard Mixture
- 1 1/3 cups applesauce or mashed banana
- 2/3 cup milk of choice
- 2/3 cup egg whites or additional milk
- 1/4 cup maple syrup, agave, or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: If the bread isn’t slightly stale, dry it out by leaving it uncovered for a day or bake at 300°F (150°C) for 15 minutes to achieve the ideal texture for soaking.
- Grease baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and arrange the bread cubes evenly in the dish, creating an even layer.
- Make custard mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together applesauce, milk, egg whites (or additional milk), sweetener of choice, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Soak bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring that each piece is well soaked to absorb flavors and moisture.
- Add berries: Scatter mixed berries over the top of the soaked bread to evenly distribute sweetness and tartness throughout the casserole.
- Refrigerate overnight: Cover the baking dish and place it in the refrigerator overnight to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard mixture, enhancing texture and taste.
- Bake the casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for about 1 hour, or until the top is lightly golden and the center is set, ensuring a warm, custardy finish.
- Cool and serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. It can be enjoyed warm or cold as a hearty breakfast or brunch option.
Notes
- Use slightly stale bread or dry fresh bread to prevent sogginess and help it absorb the custard better.
- The recipe is flexible with fruit; you can use fresh or frozen mixed berries according to availability.
- Sweeteners can be adjusted to taste; maple syrup, honey, or agave work well.
- Using applesauce or mashed bananas adds natural sweetness and moisture while keeping the dish healthier.
- This casserole can be made vegan by using plant-based milk and egg substitutes like aquafaba or commercial egg replacers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
