Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast – A Soft Morning Hug from My Kitchen

Name: Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, cubed; 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced; 4 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Butter for greasing; Powdered sugar for serving

INAYA 13 hours ago

0 0 4 minutes read

Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast

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The Story & Intro

Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Cooking has been part of my life since I was a child, learning from my grandmother how to make traditional Greek dishes full of love and flavor. I believe food brings people together, especially women who want to share warmth and happiness through cooking.

I like to keep things simple but tasty, mixing classic recipes with a little creativity. Sometimes my kitchen gets messy, but that’s where the fun is! Whether you’re new to cooking or have some experience, I’m here to help you enjoy making delicious meals that feel like home. Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories.

Today I want to sit with you at my kitchen table and talk about Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast. This recipe always feels like a quiet celebration to me. I make Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast on slow mornings, when the house is still sleepy and the light comes softly through the window. I also make it when I want to treat the women in my family my sisters, my friends, my daughter because this dish feels gentle, comforting, and a little bit special without being complicated.

Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast reminds me that breakfast can be more than rushing and coffee in one hand. It can be a moment. It can be a pause. When the strawberries bake and release their sweet juices, and the cream melts into the custard-soaked bread, the whole kitchen smells like love. I learned to trust recipes like this from my grandmother. She always said that the best food is the food that waits for you patiently in the oven while you talk and laugh.

I have made Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast for birthdays, for Sundays, and for mornings when someone needed comfort. Every time, it delivers the same soft joy.

Why I Love Making This Recipe

I love this recipe because it asks very little from me and gives back so much. I don’t need to stand over the stove. I don’t need perfect timing. I simply prepare everything with calm hands, let the bread soak, and allow the oven to do the work.

Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast also lets me plan ahead. On busy mornings, that feels like a gift. I prepare it the night before, slide it into the oven the next day, and suddenly breakfast feels thoughtful and generous.

Most of all, I love how this recipe brings people together at the table. Everyone serves themselves, everyone smiles, and no one feels rushed. That is the kind of cooking I believe in.

Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets

I always say ingredients should feel familiar, like friends you already trust.

For this recipe, I use:

Soft bread like brioche or challah because it drinks up the custard beautifully
Fresh strawberries for sweetness and color
Eggs, milk, and cream to create a rich but gentle custard
A touch of sugar and vanilla for warmth
Cinnamon for comfort

My little secret is using slightly stale bread. Fresh bread turns soggy, but day-old bread becomes tender and creamy inside. Another secret is patience. Letting the bread soak properly changes everything.

How I Make It, Step by Step

I start by buttering my baking dish generously. I don’t rush this step because butter adds flavor and prevents sticking.

I cut the bread into cubes and spread them evenly. I scatter the strawberries on top, making sure every corner gets some fruit. This matters more than people think.

I whisk the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth. I pour this slowly over the bread, pressing gently with my hands so everything absorbs the custard.

Then I pause. I cover the dish and let it rest. Sometimes for 30 minutes, sometimes overnight. This resting time is where the magic happens.

When I bake it, I let the oven work gently. I don’t rush the heat. I wait for the top to turn golden and the center to feel set but soft.

I let it rest again after baking, because even food needs to breathe.

How I Serve It at Home

At home, I serve Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast straight from the dish. I dust it with powdered sugar and sometimes add a spoon of thick yogurt or softly whipped cream.

On special days, I drizzle a little honey or strawberry syrup. On quiet days, I serve it just as it is, because it doesn’t need much.

I always serve it warm. That is important. Warm food carries comfort.

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

This recipe stores beautifully. I keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To reheat, I use the oven, not the microwave. The oven keeps the texture soft instead of rubbery.

For make-ahead mornings, I prepare everything the night before and bake it fresh. That is one of the reasons I love this dish so much.

100-Word Short Version

Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast is my favorite way to slow down breakfast. Soft bread soaks in creamy custard, sweet strawberries melt into every bite, and the oven does all the work. I prepare it ahead, bake it gently, and serve it warm with powdered sugar. This recipe feels comforting, generous, and perfect for sharing with family. It turns an ordinary morning into something special without stress or rushing.

Recipe Card

⏱️ Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour

🛒 Ingredients
1 loaf brioche or challah bread, cubed
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
4 large eggs
1 ½ cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
Butter for greasing
Powdered sugar for serving

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Butter a baking dish generously.
Add bread cubes evenly.
Scatter strawberries over bread.
Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
Pour mixture over bread and press gently.
Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40–45 minutes.
Rest 10 minutes before serving.

📝 Notes
Use slightly stale bread for best texture.

🍽️ Nutrition
Comforting, rich, and satisfying 💕

Conclusion

Every time I make Baked Strawberries and Cream French Toast, I feel close to my grandmother again. I feel the calm of slow mornings and shared tables. This recipe reminds me that food doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful. It only needs care, patience, and love. I hope you make this recipe for someone you love — and for yourself too.