French toast is a classic dish that has transcended borders and adaptations. Its origin dates back to European cuisine, where a simple recipe was prepared to make use of stale bread by soaking it in egg and milk and then frying it. In Latin America, this dish goes by different names depending on the country: in Mexico and Central America it is commonly known as "tostadas francesas," while in Argentina and Uruguay it is sometimes called "pan francés" or "tostadas a la francesa." This blueberry version is a delicious variation that incorporates fresh fruit, providing a sweet and fresh touch ideal for different times of the day. The name "overnight blueberry french toast" comes from the preparation method where the bread is soaked and marinated overnight to achieve a soft texture and an intense flavor.
How to prepare Overnight Blueberry French Toast
To begin, cut the bread into 2.5 cm cubes.
Place half of the cubes in a 33 x 23 x 5 cm baking dish, previously lightly sprayed with non-stick spray.
Cut the light cream cheese into 2.5 cm cubes and place them over the bread.
Cover with the fresh blueberries and then top with the remaining bread.
In a large bowl, combine eggs (or egg substitute), skim milk, and maple syrup, mixing well until all ingredients are incorporated.
Pour this mixture over the bread mixture in the baking dish, making sure all the bread is well soaked.
Cover the dish and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight so the flavors can blend and the bread absorbs the liquids.
Before baking, remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes beforehand to allow it to reach room temperature.
Cover again and bake at 175 °C for 30 minutes.
Uncover the dish and bake for another 25-30 minutes or until the toast is golden and the center is firm.
For the blueberry sauce, combine sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan.
Add water and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Boil for 3 minutes and then add the fresh blueberries.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the berries burst and the mixture thickens.
Serve this sauce hot over the French toast.
