Decadent Dairy-Free Cherry French Toast Casserole: An Overnight Brunch Delight

Prepare to elevate your brunch game with this incredibly decadent Dairy-Free Baked French Toast Casserole with Cherries. It’s a spectacular dish featuring rich layers of day-old sourdough bread, perfectly whisked eggs, juicy fresh cherries, crunchy slivered almonds, and sweet dark chocolate chips. What makes it even better? You only need eight essential ingredients, and it’s designed for advance preparation, ensuring a stress-free and delightful morning meal!

This beloved recipe was first introduced in June 2018 and has since been thoughtfully updated to enhance its flavors and simplify the preparation process. We’ve also included new, mouth-watering photos and invaluable tips to help you achieve French toast perfection.

If you’re a long-time follower of our culinary adventures, you’ll likely know that brunch holds a very special place in my heart – it’s unequivocally my favorite meal of the day. There’s an undeniable joy in both crafting and savoring a delightful brunch spread. When it comes to entertaining, nothing beats the relaxed ambiance of hosting a leisurely weekend or holiday brunch. It’s an opportunity to gather with loved ones, share laughter, and indulge in a meal that beautifully blurs the lines between breakfast and lunch.

I believe one of the reasons I cherish brunch so much is that it’s perhaps the only meal where you can effortlessly balance an equal array of sweet and savory main dishes. Think about it: a rich, tender, and utterly decadent baked French toast casserole truly feels like a permissible dessert for breakfast, doesn’t it? It’s a wonderful excuse to enjoy something sweet and comforting first thing in the morning, creating a truly special start to any day.

Essential Ingredients for Your Cherry French Toast Casserole

Crafting this incredible dairy-free French toast casserole requires a careful selection of ingredients that work together to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Sourdough bread: The star of our casserole! Day-old sourdough is highly recommended. Its robust structure and slightly tangy flavor are perfect for soaking up the custard without becoming overly mushy. Cut it into roughly 1-inch cubes to ensure optimal absorption and a satisfying texture in every bite.
• Fresh cherries: Bright, sweet, and slightly tart, fresh cherries are pitted and halved, then generously layered throughout the casserole. They burst with flavor during baking, adding a delightful juiciness that pairs wonderfully with chocolate and almond.
• Large eggs: Six large eggs form the essential base of our rich custard mixture. They bind the bread cubes together and create that wonderfully soft, custardy texture that is the hallmark of a great French toast.
• Unsweetened nut milk: To maintain the dairy-free aspect and add a creamy consistency to the custard. While I personally love unsweetened cashew milk for its subtle richness, unsweetened almond milk is an excellent and equally delicious alternative.
• Almond extract: This secret ingredient truly elevates the flavor profile, enhancing the natural sweetness of the cherries and adding a warm, nutty aroma. If almond extract isn’t to your taste or readily available, pure vanilla extract can be used as a pleasant substitute.
• Coconut sugar: Used to provide a delicate sweetness to the custard mixture and a light sprinkle on top for a caramelized, crunchy crust. Coconut sugar offers a less refined sweetness compared to white sugar, complementing the other natural flavors.
• Slivered almonds: These provide a fantastic textural contrast, adding a delightful crunch that perfectly complements the soft, custardy bread and chewy cherries. They also boost the nutty notes of the almond extract.
• Dark chocolate chips: A generous scattering of dark chocolate chips introduces a rich, bittersweet depth that is simply divine when combined with cherries. I opted for dairy-free dark chocolate chips, but feel free to use your preferred type of chocolate chips to suit your dietary needs and taste preferences.

Choosing the Best Bread for an Overnight French Toast Bake

The foundation of any outstanding French toast casserole lies in the bread you choose. While some recipes might champion brioche or challah for their buttery richness, I often opt for a bread that is more accessible and still delivers exceptional results for an overnight bake, especially for a dairy-free version.

My top recommendation is sourdough bread. Its inherent heartiness and unique tangy flavor make it an ideal choice. Sourdough is sturdy enough to hold its shape after soaking up the custard, ensuring it doesn’t turn into a soggy mess. For this recipe, day-old sourdough is perfect; its slightly dried-out nature allows it to absorb the egg mixture beautifully. I prefer to buy an unsliced loaf so I can cut it into precise 1-inch cubes, which provides the best balance of absorption and structure.

If sourdough isn’t your preference or is difficult to find, don’t worry! You can achieve wonderful results with other options. A rustic Italian or French loaf, or even a good quality rustic white loaf, can work equally well. The key is to select a bread with a relatively dense crumb that can withstand the overnight soaking process.

For this recipe, you’ll need a large loaf that yields approximately 12 cups of cubed bread. This amount ensures enough bread to create substantial, satisfying layers.

Regardless of the bread type you choose, it’s crucial for it to be stale or at least a day old. Fresh, soft bread tends to become overly saturated and mushy when soaked overnight. If you only have fresh bread on hand, a simple trick is to lightly toast the cubed bread in the oven for about 10-15 minutes at 275°F (135°C) until it’s slightly dried out. This minor step will make a significant difference in the final texture of your French toast casserole.

How to Achieve the Best Texture for a Baked French Toast Casserole

The secret to an exquisitely textured baked French toast lies in the perfect balance of the custard mixture – the harmonious blend of eggs, milk, and bread. This delicate equilibrium ensures a casserole that is soft and custardy on the bottom, with a delightful crispy and golden-brown top layer.

For this particular Cherry French Toast Casserole recipe, I’ve found that a ratio of 12 cups of cubed bread to 6 large eggs and 1.5 cups of nut milk yields truly impeccable results. This specific combination allows the bread to fully absorb the liquid without becoming oversaturated, leading to that ideal custardy interior.

Understanding this balance is key to avoiding common French toast pitfalls:

• Too much custard mixture: If the bread is overwhelmed with liquid, it won’t be able to absorb it all properly. The result will be a soggy, unappetizing French toast bake that lacks structural integrity and appealing texture.
• Not enough custard mixture: Conversely, if there isn’t sufficient custard, the bread on top will remain dry and crumbly, failing to transform into the soft, flavorful layers you desire.
• Excessive milk: While milk contributes to creaminess, using too much can lead to a mushy texture. The key is moderation.
• Egg ratio: Eggs are crucial as they act as a binder, holding the bread cubes together and setting the custard. You need plenty of eggs to ensure a cohesive and rich texture. However, be cautious not to use too many, as an excessive amount can impart an “eggy” flavor, overpowering the other delicate notes of the casserole.

The overnight soaking period is also vital. It gives the bread ample time to fully absorb the custard, allowing the flavors to meld and the bread to soften uniformly, setting the stage for that magical soft-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside contrast.

Simple Steps to Create Your Cherry French Toast Casserole

Creating this delicious overnight French toast casserole is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect make-ahead brunch:

• Prepare your baking dish: Begin by lightly greasing a standard 9 x 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
• Layer the first half of bread: Cut your chosen sourdough (or alternative) bread into approximate 1-inch cubes. Precision isn’t paramount here, but consistency helps. Arrange about half of these bread cubes evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
• Add the first fruit, nut, and chocolate layer: Pit and halve your fresh cherries. Sprinkle half of these prepared cherries over the bread layer. Follow this with half of your slivered almonds and half of the dark chocolate chips, distributing them evenly.
• Prepare and pour the first custard layer: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, nut milk, 1/4 cup of coconut sugar, and almond extract until well combined and smooth. Carefully pour half of this custard mixture over the layered bread, cherries, almonds, and chocolate chips, ensuring that all the bread cubes are thoroughly moistened.
• Complete the layers: Now, add the remaining bread cubes, creating a second layer. Follow this with the rest of your fresh cherries, slivered almonds, and dark chocolate chips. Pour the remaining custard mixture over everything, again ensuring every piece of bread is covered. This step is crucial for achieving that custardy texture throughout.
• Sweeten the top: Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar evenly over the very top layer of the casserole. This creates a beautiful, slightly caramelized and crispy crust during baking.
• Chill overnight: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Place it in the refrigerator and allow it to sit overnight, or for at least 5-6 hours. This crucial resting period allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, deepening the flavors and ensuring a wonderfully soft interior.
• Bake and enjoy: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the topping is beautifully browned and crispy, and the center is set. A knife inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.

Frequently Asked Questions About French Toast Casserole

Got questions about making the perfect French toast casserole? Here are some common queries and their answers to help you along the way:

Do you need to let French toast casserole sit overnight?
While not strictly mandatory, letting your French toast casserole sit overnight is highly recommended for optimal results. This extended soaking period allows the bread cubes to fully absorb the rich egg mixture, which is the secret to achieving that wonderfully soft, custardy, and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The flavors also have more time to meld together, resulting in a more cohesive and delicious dish. If you’re short on time, you can still bake it the same day; just aim for at least 20-30 minutes of resting time before baking. This brief soak will still give the bread some opportunity to absorb the custard, preventing a completely dry outcome, but the overnight version truly shines.

How do you reheat a French toast casserole?
Reheating individual leftover pieces is easily done in the microwave until they are heated through. However, to recapture that coveted crispy top layer, I highly recommend reheating the casserole in the oven. Place it in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until it’s thoroughly heated and the top has regained its delightful crunch. Covering it loosely with foil for the first part of reheating can help prevent it from drying out, removing it for the last few minutes to crisp the top.

Can you use frozen cherries in this cherry French toast bake?
Absolutely, you can use frozen cherries! However, there’s a crucial step: ensure they are completely defrosted first and then thoroughly patted dry with paper towels. Cherries, especially when frozen, contain a lot of moisture. Adding them while still frozen or wet to the casserole can release excess liquid during baking, potentially making your French toast soggy and altering the intended texture of the custard. Drying them well will help maintain the perfect consistency.

Can you use other berries or fruits in place of the cherries?
Of course! This recipe is incredibly versatile. While fresh cherries offer a unique flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with chocolate and almond, you can certainly experiment with other fruits. Fresh blueberries, blackberries, sliced strawberries, or raspberries would all make fantastic substitutes, offering their own distinct sweetness and tartness. Feel free to mix and match or use a combination of your favorite berries for a truly personalized brunch experience.

Additional Recipe Tips and Substitutions for Perfecting Your Casserole

Here are some extra insights and clever substitutions to help you customize and perfect your Baked French Toast Casserole:

• Dairy-free options: If you’re not strictly adhering to a dairy-free diet, you can easily substitute the nut milk with an equal amount of cow’s milk, or for an even richer casserole, use half and half. Just remember that the original recipe is designed to be dairy-free, so choose your milk wisely based on your dietary needs.
• Check your bread for dairy: To ensure your casserole remains truly dairy-free, always double-check the ingredient list of your sourdough or chosen bread. Some commercially produced breads might contain dairy products.
• Adjusting sweetness: The custard mixture in this recipe is intentionally lightly sweetened with coconut sugar. This is because the dark chocolate chips contribute additional sweetness, and French toast is typically served with a generous drizzle of maple syrup or other sweet toppings. If you prefer a sweeter casserole, feel free to add an extra tablespoon or two of coconut sugar to the custard mixture to suit your taste.
• Reducing sweetness: For those who prefer a less sweet breakfast, you have a couple of options. You can either omit or significantly reduce the amount of chocolate chips added to the recipe. Additionally, you can skip the final sprinkle of coconut sugar on top before baking.
• Baking without overnight soak: If you decide not to let the casserole sit overnight (though it’s highly recommended for the best texture), it will likely bake a bit quicker. Be sure to start checking on it around the 40-45 minute mark to prevent over-baking. The top should be golden brown, and the center should be set.
• Spice it up: A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of nutmeg can add an extra layer of warmth and complexity to the custard mixture, especially delightful during cooler months.
• Topping variations: Beyond the initial sprinkle of coconut sugar, consider adding a streusel topping for even more crunch, or a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving. A dollop of dairy-free whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can turn this brunch dish into a dessert.
• Serving suggestions: While delicious on its own, this casserole pairs wonderfully with a side of fresh fruit, a drizzle of warm maple syrup, or even a dollop of fruit compote.

Explore Other Delicious Brunch Recipes You Might Enjoy

If you loved this Cherry French Toast Casserole, you might want to try some of our other favorite brunch recipes perfect for any gathering:

• Sausage Frittata with Peppers and Onions
• Instant Pot Egg Strata with Ham and Brie
• Pulled Pork Breakfast Nachos

We truly hope you enjoy making and sharing this delightful overnight French toast casserole. If you give it a try, we would absolutely love to hear what you think! Please leave your comments and feedback below – your insights help us create even better recipes for you.

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