Overnight Strawberry and Cream Cheese Baked Waffles
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This Overnight Strawberry and Cream Cheese Baked Waffles recipe is a delightful twist on the classic overnight breakfast casserole. Similar to an overnight French toast bake, this dish swaps out traditional bread for frozen waffles, creating a fun and unique texture that sets it apart. Adapted from a classic recipe by Paula Deen, this version elevates the concept of a breakfast casserole to something truly special.
What makes this recipe stand out is its delicious layers. Each waffle sandwich is stuffed with a creamy filling of cream cheese and fresh strawberries, adding bursts of flavor and a luscious texture. As if that weren’t enough, the entire dish is finished with a warm caramel-like topping made from butter and brown sugar. The result? A rich, indulgent breakfast bake that doesn’t even need syrup—it’s perfectly sweet and satisfying all on its own.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch, preparing a weekend treat, or simply craving a make-ahead breakfast that impresses you, this dish is sure to be a hit. It’s as easy to prepare as it is delicious, and your family or guests will love waking up to the aroma of these waffles baking in the oven!
Ingredients for Overnight Strawberry and Cream Cheese Baked Waffles
- FROZEN BUTTERMILK WAFFLES
- LIGHT CREAM CHEESE
- FRESH STRAWBERRIES
- MILK
- EGGS
- MAPLE SYRUP
- BROWN SUGAR
- BUTTER
Instructions for Overnight Strawberry and Cream Cheese Baked Waffles
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, then flip them over and bake for another 5 minutes or until they are lightly browned and crisp
Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Divide the cream cheese into 6 cubes. Take 6 of the baked waffles and spread one cube of cream cheese onto one side of each waffle.
Arrange the 6 cream cheese-topped waffles in a single layer at the bottom of the prepared baking dish, cream cheese side up. Spread the sliced strawberries evenly over the top of the cream cheese waffles.
Place the remaining 6 waffles on top of the strawberries, creating 6 waffle “sandwiches” with the strawberries and cream cheese filling in the middle.
Whisk together the milk, eggs, and maple syrup in a medium mixing bowl until smooth and well combined. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the waffles, making sure each waffle is thoroughly coated.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, use a spatula to flip each waffle sandwich over carefully. Re-cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the waffles to fully absorb the custard.
The next morning, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). By this time, the waffles should have puffed up and filled the bottom of the baking dish.
While the oven preheats, melt the butter and brown sugar together in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth. Uncover and pour the buttery brown sugar mixture evenly over the top of the waffles.
Bake the dish for 25-30 minutes or until the center is set and no longer jiggly. Remove from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve warm and, if desired, top with additional fresh sliced strawberries. This delicious Strawberry & Cream Cheese Waffle Bake serves 6-8 people and makes for a show-stopping breakfast or brunch centerpiece!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other fruits besides strawberries?
Absolutely! While strawberries add a bright, sweet flavor, you can switch them out for other fresh or frozen fruits. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or sliced bananas all work well in this recipe. Just be aware that frozen fruits may release more moisture, so you may need to slightly reduce the custard mixture.
How long should I let it soak in the fridge?
For best results, let the waffle casserole soak overnight (about 8-12 hours). If you’re short on time, you can reduce the soaking time to a minimum of 4 hours, but the longer it soaks, the more flavorful and moist the waffles will become.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
To reheat leftovers, place individual portions in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, or reheat the entire dish in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes. If you want to keep the waffles crisp, the oven method works best.
Do I need to serve it with syrup?
Nope! Thanks to the rich caramel topping made from butter and brown sugar, this dish is perfectly sweet on its own. However, if you’re a syrup lover, feel free to drizzle on some extra maple syrup or add a dusting of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
- Sausage Apple Overnight Breakfast Casserole
- Overnight Christmas Breakfast Casserole
- Overnight Breakfast Enchiladas
- Overnight French Toast Bake with Berry Topping
Overnight Strawberry and Cream Cheese Baked Waffles
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 frozen buttermilk waffles
- 6 oz. light cream cheese softened
- 1 ½ cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 6 large eggs
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup butter
- sliced fresh strawberries for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place waffles in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. Turn waffles over and bake for 5 more minutes or until lightly browned.
- Spray an 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Divide cream cheese into 6 cubes. With six of the waffles, spread one side of each of those 6 waffles with a cube of the cream cheese.
- Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Line the bottom of the dish with the waffles spread with cream cheese with the cream cheese side up.
- Top waffles with strawberries. Then place remaining 6 waffles over strawberries making 6 waffles sandwiches.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and maple syrup. Pour mixture over waffles coating each waffle evenly. Cover and let waffles sit in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then carefully flip the waffle sandwiches over with a spatula, cover and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, preheat oven to 375 degrees. The waffles should have puffed up by now and will completely cover the bottom of the baking dish.
- Meanwhile in a small saucepan, whisk together brown sugar and butter over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and butter melts. Pour over waffles.
- Bake 25-30 minutes or until set in the middle. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes before serving. Top with additional sliced strawberries if desired. Serves 6-8.
