Description
This Blueberry Baked Oatmeal is a comforting and wholesome breakfast casserole featuring cubed brioche or challah bread soaked in a cinnamon-spiced custard with juicy blueberries. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a delicious balance of sweet and creamy flavors, perfect for a cozy morning meal or brunch with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Baking Base
- 6 cups cubed bread (brioche, challah, or French bread)
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
Custard Mixture
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk (or dairy-free alternative)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut cream)
- ½ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
Toppings
- ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
- Powdered sugar, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange Bread Cubes: Spread the cubed bread evenly across the base of the baking dish to form an even layer.
- Add Blueberries: Sprinkle the fresh or frozen blueberries evenly over the bread cubes for bursts of sweetness in every bite.
- Make Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Soak Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and blueberries, pressing down gently so all pieces absorb the liquid thoroughly.
- Rest the Mixture: Let the dish sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard; alternatively, cover and refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor and better texture.
- Add Nuts: If desired, sprinkle the chopped nuts over the top for added crunch and flavor.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the baked oatmeal to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar. Serve warm, optionally with extra maple syrup or fresh fruit on the side.
Notes
- You can use any sturdy bread such as brioche, challah, or French bread for the best texture.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond, soy, or oat milk and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Maple syrup and honey are interchangeable sweeteners; adjust sweetness to taste.
- Allowing the oatmeal to soak overnight enhances flavor and softens the bread thoroughly.
- Chopped nuts add a nice crunch, but can be omitted or substituted with seeds for nut-free options.
- Serve with additional fresh fruit or a drizzle of extra syrup for added richness.
