Panettone French Toast Casserole

by

Description

This version of a very common American breakfast, made into a casserole, using an Italian sweet bread baked for the holidays, is definitely something to be happy about! Soak your casserole overnight to achieve best results…. you want the bread to be completely saturated in the custard so that it gets light and fluffy in the oven. Covering the casserole during the last bit of baking time ensures no overbrowning. Serve with warm maple syrup.

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream, divided
  • cooking spray
  • 1 (26.5 ounce) loaf panettone
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 (6 ounce) container fresh raspberries
  • ½ cup toasted sliced almonds
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Place cream cheese and brown sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Beat in vanilla and salt until well incorporated. Add eggs one at a time
  2. beating until well blended. Gradually add milk and 1 cup cream
  3. beating at low speed
  4. until well incorporated.
  5. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  6. Cut panettone loaf into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange slices in 2 or 3 rows
  7. overlapping slightly
  8. starting from a short end of the baking dish.
  9. Pour cream cheese-egg mixture evenly over the panettone slices
  10. gently shaking the baking dish to evenly distribute the liquid. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate
  11. 8 hours to overnight.
  12. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Uncover the baking dish. Brush melted butter over the casserole; sprinkle with sugar.
  13. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Rotate the baking dish 180 degrees and continue baking until the custard is set in the center
  14. about 30 minutes more. Cover with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent overbrowning
  15. if necessary.
  16. Meanwhile
  17. beat remaining heavy cream and powdered sugar in a medium bowl using a hand mixer on high speed until semi-firm peaks form
  18. 2 to 3 minutes. Serve casserole warm with whipped cream
  19. raspberries
  20. and almonds.

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 9 hrs 20 mins

Servings: 10

Leave a Comment