Make brunch a leisurely affair with casseroles you can assemble the night before and bake the next day—after sleeping in.

Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf day-old challah or similar egg bread (about 1 pound), halved lengthwise and cut into ½-thick slices
  • 6 large eggs, divided
  • 1¼ cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 Tbsp. sugar, divided
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • 8 ounces goat cheese, softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup raspberry jam or preserves
  • Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 70 minutes

Preheat oven to 325°. Lightly grease a 9" x 13" baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange half the bread in dish, overlapping and wedging pieces to cover the bottom.

In a large bowl, whisk together 5 eggs, then add milk, cream, 2 Tbsp. sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt and whisk again. Pour half of custard over bread in dish, letting it soak in thoroughly. Set remaining custard aside.

To make filling, use a handheld or stand mixer to beat together goat cheese, cream cheese, butter, remaining egg, and remaining 2 Tbsp. sugar in a large bowl until soft and fluffy, about 1 minute. Drop half of filling over bread in large spoonfuls, gently spreading it out with the back of the spoon. Repeat process with half of jam. Arrange remaining bread in a layer, then repeat process with custard, goat cheese filling, and jam. Swirl a butter knife through the top layers of cheese and jam to create a decorative design. (At this point, the strata can be baked immediately or covered and refrigerated overnight.)

Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the strata is puffed, firmly set, and golden brown. Set aside to cool 10 minutes, then dust with confectioners' sugar, cut into squares, and serve.

Faith Durand is the author of Not Your Mother's Casseroles (Harvard Common).

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