Description
Delicious and comforting Blueberry Baked Oatmeal, made with cubed bread soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla custard and studded with fresh or frozen blueberries. This baked oatmeal casserole is perfect for a hearty breakfast or brunch that combines the richness of brioche or challah bread with juicy berries and optional crunchy nuts.
Ingredients
Scale
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 the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the oatmeal dish.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and help with easy removal.
- Arrange Bread: Spread the cubed bread evenly in the prepared baking dish, creating the base of the casserole.
- Add Blueberries: Sprinkle the fresh or frozen blueberries evenly over the bread cubes.
- Make Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined to create a flavorful custard.
- Combine Custard with Bread: Pour the custard mixture over the bread and blueberry layers, pressing down gently to ensure all pieces are thoroughly soaked.
- Soak: Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard. For deeper flavor, you may cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Add Nuts (Optional): If using, sprinkle the chopped nuts evenly on top of the soaked mixture for added texture and flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Cool and Serve: Let the baked oatmeal cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar. Serve warm with extra maple syrup or fresh fruit as desired.
Notes
- You can substitute brioche, challah, or French bread with other sturdy bread types as preferred.
- Use dairy-free alternatives such as almond milk and coconut cream for a vegan-friendly version.
- Overnight soaking enhances flavor and texture, making the dish more custardy.
- Chopped nuts add crunch but can be omitted for nut-free diets.
- Serve with additional fresh fruit or a drizzle of maple syrup for extra sweetness.
