Berry Walnut French Toast Casserole

I always have the best of intentions of waking up early on Sunday morning to make a nice breakfast for my family BUT I have the most comfortable bed in the whole wide world.  Sooo, instead of getting up early, most days I end up delaying breakfast and lying in bed trying to convince myself that I should spend more time in my super soft, cozy bed. 

​"Does my family really WANT pancakes? 
Do they even LIKE pancakes? 
We probably don't even have enough syrup for pancakes. 
We have plenty of cereal for breakfast. 
Pancakes are all carbs anyway." 

These are the thoughts that run through my mind as I negotiate with myself to buy myself a few extra minutes in my bed.  It's probably no surprise that more times than not, breakfast takes a back seat to sleep.  

The only way for me to truly avoid this internal argument that happens in my head every Sunday morning is to prep breakfast before I go to bed on Saturday night.  There's actually quite a few things that I can prepare the night before to give me extra time in bed.  Overnight oats, yeast waffle batter, egg casseroles and french toast casseroles are all great make ahead breakfast foods that we love.  

This Berry Walnut French Toast Casserole is a great addition to our make ahead breakfast menus.  It's absolutely scrumptious and I can toss it in the oven when I finally drag myself out of bed in the morning and by the time I get out of the shower - it's ready to eat.  

Berry Walnut French Toast Casserole
8 ounce crusty whole grain baguette, cut into 1" cubes
1 banana
1 cup milk
3 eggs
3 egg whites
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 ounce package frozen mixed berries, thawed
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
​2 Tablespoons cold butter

Arrange bread in a 9x13" greased baking dish.  

Mash banana with fork.  Whisk in milk, eggs, egg whites, syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and salt.

Pour mixture over bread and toss to coat. 

Sprinkle berries over mixture.  Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours. 

Combine walnuts and brown sugar.  Cut in butter. 

Sprinkle over casserole.  Cover with foil. 

Bake 30 minutes at 375.  Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes.  

Even though I didn't get a picture of it - this french toast is actually really yummy with a dollop of vanilla yogurt on the side.  It compliments the toasted walnuts and the ripe berries, beautifully.  I love this french toast and not JUST because it allows me to sleep an extra 15 minutes on Sunday morning.  😉 But extra sleep IS pretty great.  

Ciao!

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