Blueberry Cheesecake French Toast

Indulge in blueberry cheesecake french toast with creamy filling, homemade blueberry jam, and cinnamon-spiced custard. Weekend brunch perfection!

What Makes This Recipe Special

This blueberry cheesecake french toast combines cinnamon-spiced coconut milk custard, tangy lemon cream cheese filling, and fresh homemade blueberry jam on golden whole wheat bread for a decadent breakfast that tastes like dessert but fuels your morning with wholesome ingredients.

Picture this: you’re craving cheesecake for breakfast, but you also want French toast. Why choose? This blueberry cheesecake french toast recipe was born from that exact morning dilemma in my kitchen.

The tangy cream cheese filling melts into every bite while the homemade blueberry jam adds that perfect fruity sweetness.

Why You’ll Love This Blueberry Cheesecake French Toast

It tastes like dessert for breakfast – and honestly, who’s complaining? This berry cream cheese french toast casserole approach gives you all the indulgence of cheesecake without the guilt trip.

The homemade blueberry jam is ridiculously easy. I used to buy jarred jam until I realized making it fresh takes about 20 minutes and tastes a thousand times better. The berries get jammy and concentrated, with just the right amount of tartness from fresh lemon juice.

You can prep components ahead. Make the cheesecake filling and blueberry jam the night before, then just soak and cook your French toast in the morning. Game changer for weekend brunches when you don’t want to be elbow-deep in mixing bowls before coffee.

It works with whatever bread you have. I use whole wheat for a nutty flavor and extra fiber, but brioche, challah, or sourdough would be absolutely dreamy here too. According to King Arthur Baking, slightly stale bread actually works better for French toast because it absorbs the custard without getting soggy.

If you’re craving something a bit more classic, our brioche French toast recipe focuses on perfectly custardy slices with crisp, buttery edges and warm maple syrup.

Nutritional Peek

Per Serving	Amount
Calories	285
Protein	9g
Carbs	38g
Fat	11g

Based on 8 servings

Ingredients You’ll Need

This french toast bake with cream cheese calls for three simple components that come together beautifully. The coconut milk adds richness while keeping things dairy-light, and the fresh nutmeg makes such a difference (but ground works in a pinch!).

For the French Toast Base

Amount	Ingredient
3/4 cup	Coconut milk
2	Eggs
3/4 teaspoon	Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon	Freshly grated nutmeg (or ground)
2 teaspoons	Vanilla extract
2 tablespoons	Maple syrup
1 tablespoon	Coconut sugar or brown sugar
Pinch	Salt
8 slices	Whole wheat bread
Extra	Maple syrup for serving

For the Cheesecake Filling

Amount	Ingredient
8 oz	Light cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon	Heavy whipping cream or full-fat coconut milk
1/3 cup	Powdered sugar (I used Whole Earth Powdered Allulose)
1 tablespoon	Lemon zest (freshly grated is everything!)
2 teaspoons	Vanilla extract

For the Blueberry Jam

Amount	Ingredient
1 cup	Fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon	Water
Pinch	Salt
1/4 cup	Sugar or 1:1 allulose
1 tablespoon	Fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon	Vanilla extract
Pinch	Cinnamon (optional but recommended)

Equipment You’ll Need

Essential:

• Medium mixing bowl
• Hand mixer or whisk (hand mixer makes the filling gloriously fluffy)
• Medium saucepan
• Large skillet or griddle
• Shallow dish for soaking bread
• Whisk

Optional but helpful:

• Microplane grater for fresh nutmeg and lemon zest
• Potato masher for the blueberries
• Offset spatula for spreading filling

How to Make Blueberry Cheesecake French Toast

Making this blueberry stuffed french toast is easier than you’d think! The key is getting that cream cheese filling smooth and fluffy, and letting your bread really soak up the custard. Don’t rush the soaking step – it makes all the difference between okay French toast and mind-blowing French toast.

1. Whip up the cheesecake filling. Add softened cream cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla to a medium bowl. Beat with a hand mixer on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, airy, and completely smooth with no lumps. Set aside at room temperature.

2. Make the homemade blueberry jam. Combine fresh blueberries, water, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally as the berries start breaking down and releasing their juices – this takes about 5-7 minutes.

Gently mash with a fork or potato masher to help them along, then continue cooking for 15-20 minutes total, stirring every few minutes, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, lemon juice, and cinnamon if using. Let it cool while you prepare the French toast (it’ll thicken more as it cools).

3. Prepare the custard mixture. In a shallow dish or pie plate, whisk together coconut milk, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and salt until completely combined and smooth with no egg streaks visible. The spices should be evenly distributed throughout.

4. Soak the bread thoroughly. Place bread slices in the custard mixture and let them soak for 3-4 minutes per side – yes, really that long! The bread should absorb the custard and feel heavy and saturated but not falling apart. If your bread is super fresh and soft, reduce soaking time to 2 minutes per side to prevent mushiness.

5. Cook until golden and crispy. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or coconut oil. Add soaked bread slices (work in batches if needed to avoid crowding) and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until deep golden brown with slightly crispy edges and cooked through the center. The surface should develop a beautiful caramelized crust.

6. Assemble and serve immediately. Place cooked French toast on plates, generously spread or dollop the cream cheese filling on top, then spoon the blueberry jam over everything. Drizzle with extra maple syrup if your sweet tooth demands it (mine always does). Serve while still warm for maximum melty deliciousness.

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Temperature matters more than you think. Room-temperature ingredients incorporate more evenly, creating a stable emulsion. This is why professional bakers temper eggs and butter – according to Serious Eats, a temperature difference greater than 10°C can cause batters to break, resulting in grainy texture. Let your cream cheese sit out for 30-60 minutes before mixing.

Fresh nutmeg is worth the extra minute. Pre-ground nutmeg loses its essential oils quickly and tastes flat. Freshly grated nutmeg adds warm, complex aromatics that make people ask “what’s that amazing spice?” I keep whole nutmegs in my freezer and grate them as needed – they last for years.

Don’t skip the lemon zest in the filling. It cuts through the richness of the cream cheese and adds brightness that keeps this blueberry cheesecake french toast recipe from feeling heavy. Use a microplane to get fine, fluffy zest without any bitter white pith.

Control your heat carefully. Medium heat is key – too high and you’ll burn the outside before cooking through; too low and you’ll get pale, soggy French toast. The first slice is always a test; adjust your heat accordingly. You should hear a gentle sizzle when the bread hits the pan.

Make extra blueberry jam. Seriously, double the batch. You’ll want it on everything – yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream. It keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks, and having it on hand makes weekday breakfasts feel special.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Why is my French toast soggy in the middle? Your heat’s probably too high, cooking the outside before the inside’s done. Lower the temperature to medium or medium-low and give each side a full 3-4 minutes. You can also use slightly thicker bread slices or reduce soaking time by a minute.

What if my cream cheese filling is lumpy? The cream cheese wasn’t soft enough when you started mixing. Microwave it for 10-15 seconds, then beat again with the hand mixer. You can also press it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove stubborn lumps.

My blueberry jam turned out too thin – help! No worries! Return it to the saucepan and simmer for another 5-10 minutes to evaporate more liquid. Remember it thickens as it cools, so it should look slightly thinner than your desired final consistency while hot. If you’re impatient, whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water.

The custard isn’t sticking to my bread? Your bread might be too fresh and soft, or you’re not soaking long enough. Try leaving bread out overnight to stale slightly, or toast it very lightly first. Dense, day-old bread absorbs custard beautifully while maintaining structure.

Can I fix French toast that’s burning too quickly? Lower your heat immediately and add a bit more butter or oil to the pan. If pieces are already burned, scrape off what you can and serve with the prettier side up – the cream cheese filling and jam will cover a multitude of sins!

Variations & Creative Twists

Make it a berry cream cheese french toast casserole. Layer all the soaked bread in a greased 9×13 baking dish, dollop the cream cheese filling between layers, pour any remaining custard over top, and bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes.

Try different berries. Strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries work beautifully in place of blueberries. Mixed berries are gorgeous and taste complex. Frozen berries work too – no need to thaw, just add 5 extra minutes to cooking time.

Go full indulgence with ice cream and marshmallows. Top your finished French toast with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and toasted mini marshmallows for an over-the-top dessert brunch situation. It’s ridiculous and completely wonderful.

Make it gluten-free. Swap in your favorite gluten-free bread – just choose something sturdy that won’t fall apart when soaked. Slightly stale gluten-free bread works even better than fresh.

Create a vegan version. Use full-fat coconut milk (instead of the 3/4 cup coconut milk plus eggs), add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and substitute vegan cream cheese. The texture’s a bit different but still delicious.

Serving, Storage & Reheating

Serving suggestions: This blueberry stuffed french toast is rich enough to be the star of your brunch, but I love serving it with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for savory contrast. Fresh berries on the side add lightness, and a dusting of powdered sugar makes it Instagram-worthy.

Storage tips: Store components separately if possible. Cooked French toast keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cream cheese filling and blueberry jam last up to a week refrigerated. Assemble just before serving for the best texture.

Reheating instructions: Reheat French toast in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until warmed through, or pop it in the toaster for crispy edges. Microwave works in a pinch (45-60 seconds) but you’ll lose the crispy exterior. Let the cream cheese filling and jam come to room temperature before serving, or warm the jam gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

For a lighter blueberry breakfast on busy mornings, our blueberry pie smoothie protein blends frozen berries, oats, and Greek yogurt into a thick, dessert-like shake.

No-Waste Kitchen Magic

Got leftover blueberry jam? Swirl it into plain yogurt, spoon it over vanilla ice cream, or spread it on English muffins. It also makes an amazing filling for thumbprint cookies or a glaze for pound cake.

Extra cream cheese filling? Use it as a dip for fresh fruit, spread it on bagels, or pipe it into crepes. It’s also fantastic dolloped on pancakes or waffles.

Stale bread accumulating? This recipe is actually the perfect use for slightly stale bread. If you’ve got odds and ends of different bread types, mix them – the variety adds interesting texture and flavor.

Leftover custard mixture? Scramble it like eggs for a lightly sweet breakfast scramble, or use it to make a quick bread pudding with any extra bread pieces.

Blueberry Cheesecake French Toast FAQs

The Final Delicious Word

This blueberry cheesecake french toast recipe transforms ordinary breakfast into something truly special – the kind of meal that makes everyone linger at the table for seconds (and thirds). The tangy cream cheese, sweet-tart blueberry jam, and cinnamon-spiced French toast create the perfect balance of flavors.

I’d love to hear how yours turns out! Drop a comment below with your favorite topping combo, and tag your photos @DessertHaven so I can see your beautiful creations.