Description
Indulgent Easter Breakfast Bake brings festive morning magic to your table, blending cheesy eggs, crispy bacon, and tender potatoes. Delightful layers promise a crowd-pleasing feast you’ll savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Casserole Base:
- 8 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 12 slices cinnamon bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 12 cups)
Vegetable and Fruit Components:
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 2/3 cup crushed pineapple, drained and squeezed dry
- 1/2 cup raisins
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Cream Cheese Mixture:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Topping:
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons coconut flakes
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare bread cubes by air-drying or toasting in the oven at 350°F for 8 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Whip cream cheese mixture until light and airy, ensuring smooth consistency.
- Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Create first layer of bread cubes, evenly distributing shredded carrots, pineapple chunks, and raisins across the surface.
- Delicately dollop cream cheese mixture over the first layer, ensuring even coverage.
- Construct a second identical layer with remaining bread cubes, carrots, pineapple, and raisins.
- Combine eggs, milk, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl, whisking until perfectly integrated.
- Gently pour egg mixture over the layered casserole, allowing liquid to seep between ingredients.
- Wrap dish securely with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight to enhance flavor melding.
- Remove casserole from refrigerator 45-60 minutes before baking to reach room temperature.
- Preheat oven to 350°F, positioning rack in center position.
- Prepare topping by mixing ingredients until well combined.
- Sprinkle topping evenly across casserole surface just before baking.
- Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, checking for golden brown edges and center firmness.
- Allow casserole to rest and set for 15 minutes before serving, which helps stabilize texture.
Notes
- Ensure bread is completely dry to prevent a soggy texture, which helps absorb the egg mixture perfectly.
- Experiment with gluten-free bread for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the casserole’s delightful consistency.
- Swap raisins with dried cranberries or chopped nuts for added crunch and different flavor profiles that complement the sweet base.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture in advance and refrigerate to develop richer, more integrated flavors throughout the breakfast bake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg