As homemakers we really to try to make the special seasons special. This Christmas Breakfast Dish is your new Christmas morning hack that starts with a Silent Night and brings Peace on Earth in the morning!
Ah, Christmas morning. The chaos, the joy. You want to be there for every moment, right? Depending on how your family usually does things this can be a very early morning. Once all of the celebrations and gifts are given it doesn’t take long for reality to set in, does it?
Soon the sounds of laughter and newly discovered joys turn to cries of, “I’m hungry Mom.” Just like their is no Christmas Elf, there is also no Meal Fairy. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were? Just maybe you could be your own Meal Fairy for Christmas morning. Many years back I decided that I would do that by preparing breakfast the night before and I have never regretted it.
Why You will love this Christmas Breakfast Dish
There are many choices out there for breakfast casseroles and overnight french toast. We settled on this one because it really is especially decadent and the homemade berry syrup really adds something extra that puts this recipe over the top. Be forewarned, this recipe uses a lot of eggs. You will need to plan ahead and buy a whole carton just for this recipe if you do not keep your own chickens.
If you aren’t preparing late at night once the kids are in bed, then you really should consider making it a tradition to let them help out or even do it all themselves. Kids will love tearing the bread and dropping the cream cheese and berries all over the pan. Don’t miss out on this lovely opportunity for bonding and making special memories for your family.
How to prepare this Overnight Christmas Breakfast Bake
Merry Berry Christmas Breakfast Dish
Ingredients
- 12 Slices French Bread, torn 1 to 1 1/2 baguette loaves
- 2 Cups Whole Milk
- 12 Eggs
- 1 t Vanilla Extract
- 1/3 Cup Real Maple Syrup
- 1-2 Cup Fresh Berries Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries
- 2 8oz Cream Cheese
Instructions
- Lightly spray 9×13 pan with oil
- Spread torn loaves in bottom of pan
- Break off both bars of Cream Cheese into bite-size chunks and sprinkle over bread
- Sprinkle berries over top of Cream Cheese and Bread in pan, reserving some for syrup
- In large bowl combine eggs, milk, vanilla, and maple syrup, whisking well to incorporate eggs
- Pour liquid mixture over all of the bread, soaking it well
- Press top of berries, cheese, bread down firmly into pan
- Cover well and refrigerate overnight
- In the morning, remove casserole from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature for 30 mins
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Remove lid from pan and cover tightly with foil
- Bake for 30 mins and remove from oven
- Remove foil from pan and return to oven for 30 mins more
- While baking continues, prepare Berry Syrup if desired
- In a small saucepan combine remaining berries, 1 C Water, 1 C Sugar, and 2T Cornstarch
- When mixture boils and begins to thicken, remove from heat and stir in 1t Vanilla and 2T Butter
- Remove casserole from oven. Slice into squares. Ladle hot syrup onto each plate before serving