Cream Cheese Swirl Cinnamon French Toast (Printable Version)

Overnight French toast casserole with cinnamon roll flavors, cream cheese swirls, and a hint of banana bread.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Bread & Fruit

01 - 1 large loaf brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (approximately 1 pound)
02 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed

→ Custard

03 - 6 large eggs
04 - 2 cups whole milk
05 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
06 - 1/2 cup brown sugar
07 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Cream Cheese Swirl

11 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
12 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
13 - 1 large egg yolk
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Topping

15 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
16 - 1/4 cup brown sugar
17 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and salt. Stir in mashed bananas until well combined.
03 - Add bread cubes to the custard mixture and gently toss until all pieces are evenly coated. Let sit for 10 minutes to absorb the custard.
04 - In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
05 - Pour half of the soaked bread mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Drop half the cream cheese mixture in dollops over the bread layer. Repeat with remaining bread and cream cheese mixture. Using a knife, swirl gently through the layers to create a marbled effect.
06 - Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Drizzle or sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole.
07 - Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or for a minimum of 4 hours.
08 - When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven reaches temperature.
09 - Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set when gently jiggled.
10 - Allow casserole to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with optional maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It does all the work while you sleep, so mornings feel effortless and luxurious.
  • The cream cheese swirl melts into pockets of tangy richness that balance the sweetness perfectly.
  • You get cinnamon roll flavor without the fuss of rolling dough or waiting for yeast to proof.
  • Banana adds a subtle depth that makes people ask what the secret ingredient is.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't fully softened, it will clump and refuse to swirl smoothly, so leave it out for at least an hour.
  • Don't skip the overnight soak, the bread needs time to absorb the custard or you'll end up with dry pockets and soggy bottoms.
  • Check the center with a knife after 40 minutes, if it comes out with wet custard, give it another 5 minutes, but watch the edges so they don't burn.
03 -
  • If you want extra banana flavor, layer thin slices of banana between the bread before adding the cream cheese swirl.
  • Use a hand mixer to whip the cream cheese mixture, it only takes a minute and ensures a perfectly smooth swirl every time.
  • Let the casserole sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking so it heats more evenly and the center cooks through without the edges burning.
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