Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Bake

I created this recipe for my girlfriend and her grandchildren. I hope you enjoy!

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 10
• Yields: 10

Ingredients

• French Toast

• 14  ounces  loaf  French bread
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2  tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 3  teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 8  large eggs
• 2 1⁄4 cups  whole milk
• 3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2⁄3 cup light brown sugar, packed

• Streusel Topping

• 1⁄3 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6  tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed

• Optional

• Fresh fruit or maple syrup

Directions

1. Preparation:
2. Thoroughly grease a 13x9x2 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray (I use a disposable foil pan).
3. Slice then cut the bread into cubes, about 1 inch in size.
4. Spread half of the cubes into the prepared baking pan.
5. In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat the room temperature (not cold!) cream cheese on medium-high speed until completely smooth (I use a whisk attachment).
6. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract until combined.
7. Drop spoonfuls of cream cheese mixture on top of the bread.
8. Layer the remaining bread cubes on top of cream cheese.
9. In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and the remaining "French Toast" ingredients until thoroughly combined and smooth (no lumps of sugar).
10. Pour over the bread cubes until all sides of the cubes are coated.
11. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
12. [The next day].
13. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
14. Prepare the topping:
15. Whisk the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.
16. Cut in the cubed (cold!) butter using two forks.
17. Sprinkle the topping over the soaked bread.
18. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes or until golden brown on top.
19. Serve with your favorite syrup (I use Mrs. Butterworth's Sugar Free syrup) and enjoy!