Spring Brunch Strawberry French Toast (Printable)

Baked toast with fresh strawberries and creamy custard, topped with a cinnamon crumble.

# What you'll need:

→ Bread and Dairy

01 - 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 6 large eggs
03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
05 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Fruit

09 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

→ Topping

10 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
11 - 1/4 cup brown sugar
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
13 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

→ Finish

14 - Powdered sugar for dusting
15 - Maple syrup for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Arrange bread cubes evenly in prepared baking dish. Scatter sliced strawberries over bread layer.
03 - In large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Pour custard mixture evenly over bread and strawberries. Gently press down to ensure all bread cubes absorb custard.
04 - In medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add cold butter cubes and use pastry cutter or fingertips to work butter into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Sprinkle topping evenly over casserole.
05 - Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until custard is set and topping is golden brown.
06 - Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm with maple syrup.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You can prep it the night before and bake fresh in the morning, which means you actually get to enjoy your guests instead of hovering over the stove.
  • The brioche-to-custard ratio is perfectly balanced so every bite feels indulgent without being heavy or soggy.
  • Fresh strawberries cook down slightly while staying bright, adding a natural tartness that cuts through the richness beautifully.
02 -
  • If you bake it straight from the fridge after assembling the night before, add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time since the cold batter needs extra time to set in the center.
  • The top should jiggle ever so slightly when you shake the dish—overcooked custard becomes grainy and dense, so trust that it will continue cooking as it cools.
03 -
  • Slice your strawberries just before assembling so they don't release too much juice and soak the bread prematurely—fresh, visible strawberry pieces matter for plating and visual appeal.
  • If your berries are slightly tart, they're actually perfect here because they balance the sweetness of the custard and streusel topping in a way that makes you want another bite.
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