Raspberry Orange Breakfast Strata Recipe
This Raspberry Orange Breakfast Strata is a delightful make-ahead baked casserole combining sweetened condensed milk, fresh raspberries, and bright orange flavors layered with crunchy French bread cubes and almonds. Perfect for a festive brunch or cozy weekend breakfast, it offers a creamy, fruity, and nutty flavor profile with a crisp golden top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours 45 minutes (including overnight refrigeration)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf French Bread, cubed
- 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk (about 14 oz)
- 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
- 6 large Eggs
- 1 tbsp Almond Extract
- Zest and Juice of One Orange
- 4 cups Fresh Raspberries
- 1/2 cup Sliced Almonds
Instructions
- Prepare the bread base: In an 11×8 inch casserole dish, evenly spread the cubed French bread to form the base layer for the strata.
- Mix custard liquid: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, eggs, almond extract, and the zest and juice of one orange until the mixture becomes bubbly and well combined.
- Add raspberries: Gently fold the fresh raspberries into the custard mixture, being careful not to crush them too much to maintain their shape and freshness.
- Combine and soak: Pour the raspberry custard mixture over the bread cubes in the casserole dish. Press down gently on the bread so it absorbs the liquid evenly. Sprinkle the sliced almonds across the top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and bread to soak thoroughly.
- Preheat oven and bake: When ready to cook, remove the strata from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Keep the casserole covered with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and slightly crisp.
Notes
- For best results, use day-old French bread to better absorb the custard.
- You can substitute almond extract with vanilla extract if preferred.
- To make preparation easier, assemble the night before and bake fresh in the morning.
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking to get an evenly cooked strata.
- This recipe serves well as a brunch centerpiece and pairs nicely with coffee or fresh juice.
Keywords: breakfast strata, raspberry strata, orange almond strata, baked breakfast casserole, fruit custard strata
