This flavorful Nutella and Strawberry French toast bake is delicious for Valentine’s Day, or all year round!

Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays I’ve come to appreciate so much more now that I have kids. I’m not one to go over the top with Valentine’s Day gifts, decor, or candy—but I do love making it special in those everyday moments.  In addition to our annual floating love notes, we have a few traditional valentine recipes we enjoy this time of year—like this Nutella and Strawberry French Toast Bake.

I love this recipe because it uses just a few ingredients and it’s really hard to mess up! And with such a simple recipe, it’s important to use quality ingredients like free range eggs. If you’ve been a follower of my blog, you know that we use Nellie’s Free Range Eggs for the best baking results. We love that their hens are raised on small, Certified Humane® Free Range farms.

Start with large croissants, brioche rolls, or Challah bread. Like all French toast recipes, this one works best with stale bread so it absorbs all of the liquids.

Next, combine 1/2 C. of Nutella and cream cheese. Slice each piece of bread in half, sandwich-style, and spread around 2 Tbsp. of the Nutella mixture on each croissant or roll. Place the remaining bread on top to make Nutella sandwiches.

Dice the sandwiches into 1″ cubes and add to a greased 8″x8″ or 8″x12″ baking pan. Add about 1/2 of the sliced strawberries.

In a small bowl, combine milk, Nellie’s Free Range Eggs, and vanilla extract.

Pour the egg mixture over the bread, making sure to cover the bread evenly. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Once you’re ready to bake, spoon any unabsorbed liquid to the top of the bread. Bake uncovered at 350° for 40-45 minutes, or until the egg mixture is baked through.

Garnish with the remaining sliced strawberries. To create heart-shaped strawberries, simply cut a small “V” to remove the strawberry stem before slicing vertically.

If desired, you can top with even more Nutella! Place reserved ¼ C. Nutella in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Pour into a resealable plastic bag to create a DIY piping bag by cutting just a small corner. Drizzle over the top of the French Toast Bake.

This recipe is also super easy to adjust with various flavors, and can even be made in the slow cooker!

Notes and Tips:

• This recipe works best with stale bread. If your bread isn’t stale, place in the oven at 350° for about 10 minutes.
• If you prefer not to use Nutella and cream cheese, just add 1/4 – 1/2 C. chocolate chips to the bread mixture before baking.
• You can easily double this recipe for a crowd, and bake in a 9″x13″ baking pan.
• This recipe also works in the slow cooker. Skip chilling in the refrigerator and cooking the high slow cooker setting for 2 hours or until the egg mixture is thoroughly cooked.

I hope you enjoy this Nutella and strawberry French toast bake recipe!

Nutella and Strawberry Stuffed French Toast Bake

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Additional Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes

This flavorful Nutella and Strawberry French toast bake is delicious for Valentine's Day, or all year round!

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Ingredients

• 8 oz. Large Croissants, Brioche rolls, or Challah bread
• 4 oz. Cream cheese
• ½ C. Nutella hazelnut spread + additional ¼ C. reserved
• 2 Large Nellie's Free Range Eggs
• ½ C. Milk
• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
• 1 C. Strawberries, sliced

Instructions

1. Combine Nutella and softened cream cheese.
2. Slice bread, rolls, or croissants in half, sandwich style. Spread about 2 Tablespoons of the Nutella mixture on the bottom half before replacing the top. Slice “sandwiches”  into 1” cubes.
3. Place the bread cubes and half of the sliced strawberries into a greased 8”x8” or 8"x12" baking dish. 
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla. Pour over the bread mixture, making sure to equally pour over all of the bread.
5. Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
6. When ready to bake, spoon any unabsorbed liquid over the top before baking uncovered at 350° for 40-45 minutes, or until the egg mixture is fully cooked.
7. Place reserved ¼ C. Nutella in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Pour into a resealable plastic bag to create a DIY piping bag by cutting just a small corner. Drizzle over the top of the French Toast Bake.
8. Garnish with sliced strawberries and serve!

Notes

Recipe works best with stale bread. If your bread isn’t stale, place in the oven at 350° for about 10 minutes.

If you prefer not to use Nutella and cream cheese, just add about ¼ C. chocolate chips to the bread mixture before baking.

You can easily double this recipe for a crowd, and bake in a 9”x13” baking pan.

This recipe also works in the slow cooker. Skip chilling in the refrigerator and cook on the high slow cooker setting for 2 hours or until the egg mixture is thoroughly cooked.

To create heart-shaped strawberries, simply cut a small "V" to remove the strawberry stem before slicing vertically.

Does your family make special Valentine’s Day recipes each year? Please share them in the comments below!