Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll French Toast (Printable Version)

Decadent overnight breakfast bake with creamy cheesecake swirls, warm cinnamon, and banana bread essence

# What 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

# Directions:

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.
03 - Add bread cubes to the custard mixture and gently toss until all pieces are coated. Let sit for 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.
04 - In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese with sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
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. Repeat with remaining bread and cream cheese mixture. Swirl gently with a knife for a marbled effect.
06 - Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle or sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
07 - Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
08 - When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven preheats.
09 - Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the center.
10 - Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm, optionally with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes impossibly decadent but does most of the heavy lifting while you sleep, since it's an overnight dish.
  • The combination of cinnamon rolls, cheesecake, and banana bread in one bite feels like breakfast is actually celebrating you.
  • You can prep it the day before and bake when you're ready, making morning entertaining feel effortless.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't completely softened, it will seize and create lumps that won't swirl smoothly—take the 30 seconds to let it sit on the counter before beating.
  • The overnight chill isn't just convenient; it's essential because the bread needs time to fully absorb the custard, which is what prevents it from being soggy or undercooked in the center.
  • Overbaking by just five minutes can turn the edges dry and slightly rubbery, so start checking at the 40-minute mark and trust your eyes over the clock.
03 -
  • Soft cream cheese is non-negotiable—pull it from the fridge 30 minutes before you need it, and your swirls will be flawless and smooth.
  • Don't skip the resting period after baking; those 10 minutes let the custard set just enough so your slices stay intact instead of falling apart on the plate.
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