Description
This Blueberry Baked Oatmeal is a warm, comforting breakfast dish combining cubed bread, fresh or frozen blueberries, and a rich custard made from eggs, milk, and cream. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and lightly sweetened with maple syrup, this baked oatmeal is easy to prepare and makes a delicious, hearty start to the day.
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 (optional)
- ½ cup chopped nuts
- Powdered sugar, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the oatmeal.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the oatmeal from sticking.
- Assemble Base: Spread the cubed bread evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add Blueberries: Sprinkle the fresh or frozen blueberries evenly over the bread cubes.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
- Pour Custard: Pour the custard mixture over the bread and blueberries, pressing down slightly to make sure all the bread pieces absorb the liquid.
- Soak: Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to soak. For enhanced flavor and texture, you can cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Add Nuts: If desired, sprinkle the chopped nuts evenly over the top before baking.
- Bake: Bake the oatmeal in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until it’s golden brown and set in the center.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the baked oatmeal to cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, then serve warm with extra maple syrup or fresh fruit.
Notes
- You can substitute milk and cream with dairy-free alternatives like almond or coconut milk for a vegan-friendly version.
- For added texture, use a mix of different nuts such as pecans or walnuts.
- This dish can be prepared the night before and baked in the morning for convenience.
- Powdered sugar topping is optional but adds a nice touch of sweetness and presentation.
- Storing leftovers in the refrigerator is recommended; reheat gently before serving.
