Cranberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

If you’re looking for a special breakfast to serve on Christmas morning, this Cranberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is a delicious choice!

Soft pieces of French bread are layered with a sweet cream cheese filling and tart cranberries, then soaked in a rich cinnamon vanilla egg mixture.

The best part is that you can assemble this casserole the night before and bake it in the morning.

It’s perfect for Christmas breakfast, holiday brunch, or any special occasion when you want something homemade without spending all morning in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (about 12–14 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)

For the Topping

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

Spread half of the bread cubes evenly in the prepared baking dish.

Drop small spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the bread. Sprinkle half of the cranberries over the top.

Add the remaining bread cubes and scatter the rest of the cranberries over the casserole.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest, if using.

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, gently pressing down on the bread so it absorbs the liquid.

Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Drizzle or sprinkle the mixture over the casserole.

Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, until the center is set and the top is golden brown. If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover with foil.

Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for Making Cranberry Cream Cheese French Toast

• Use day-old bread: Slightly stale French bread absorbs the custard without becoming mushy.
• Use frozen cranberries straight from the freezer: There’s no need to thaw them first. They may add a few minutes to the baking time.
• Soften the cream cheese: Room-temperature cream cheese is much easier to beat into a smooth filling.
• Add orange zest: Orange and cranberry are a wonderful combination and give this breakfast casserole a festive flavor.
• Check the center: The middle should be set and no longer liquid before serving.

Can You Make French Toast Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes! This is one of the best things about this recipe.

Assemble the casserole the night before, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, prepare the topping, sprinkle it over the casserole, and bake as directed.

If the baking dish is very cold from the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes while the oven preheats. Don’t leave it out for an extended period.

What to Serve with Cranberry Cream Cheese French Toast

This French toast casserole is sweet, creamy, and slightly tart, making it a wonderful centerpiece for a Christmas breakfast or brunch.

Serve it with:

• Breakfast sausage or bacon
• Scrambled eggs
• Fresh fruit
• Cranberry orange muffins
• Coffee, hot chocolate, or orange juice

More Christmas Breakfast Recipes

Planning a special Christmas morning breakfast? Here are a few more festive recipes to add to your holiday menu!

• Overnight French Toast Casserole – A delicious make-ahead breakfast casserole.
• Easy Make-Ahead Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Casserole – All the flavors of cinnamon rolls in an easy breakfast dish.
• Christmas Monkey Bread – Sweet, gooey cinnamon-sugar bread that’s fun to pull apart and share.
• Overnight Sausage Breakfast Casserole – A hearty savory breakfast you can prepare the night before.
• Gingerbread Pancakes – Fluffy pancakes filled with warm gingerbread spices.
• Cinnamon Roll Pancakes – Pancakes with a buttery cinnamon swirl and cream cheese glaze.
• Cranberry Orange Muffins – A festive muffin with tart cranberries and fresh orange flavor.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover French toast casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in a 325°F oven until heated through.

This Cranberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole is an easy, festive way to make Christmas breakfast special.

With tart cranberries, creamy pockets of sweetened cream cheese, and soft cinnamon French toast, it’s a breakfast everyone will look forward to!

Follow my Christmas Breakfast board on Pinterest.