(Culinary.net) Nearly nothing is better than a perfectly planned brunch. This delicious, sweet recipe could be the cherry on top of your brunch bash.

As you see your friends and family members take their first bites, you will see their faces light up with delight as they devour this Cranberry Strata. It’s made with fluffy, baked French bread, smooth cream cheese, sweet and tangy maple syrup and, of course, dried cranberries.

This recipe is easy to make and even easier to eat. With only a handful of ingredients and just a few simple steps, this dish is one you can quickly whip up when you’re in a pinch.

Plus, the end result will have you and brunch goers asking, “Why is this so good?” It’s wholesome, rich and delicious. With two layers of bread sandwiched around layers of cranberries and cream cheese, this dish is almost certain to be a new brunch favorite.

Start by mixing eggs, maple syrup and milk together in a bowl. Then in a baking dish, add a layer of French bread and top it with chunks of cream cheese. Spread the cranberries on top.

Then layer on your second sheet of French bread. Next pour your egg mixture over top of everything, making sure the bread is absorbing the flavors. Top with a dash of cinnamon and bake.

Pull it out of the oven and serve warm. You will have a gooey, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth strata on your hands.

This dish is wonderful for brunch, however, it is versatile enough to be served as a family dessert, scrumptious breakfast or treat on a cold, winter day.

Between the dairy, grains and sprinkle of fruit, this dish is a star for any occasion throughout the year.

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Watch video to learn how to make this delicious recipe!

What you'll need:

• French Bread
• 8 ounce cream cheese
• Dried cranberries
• Eggs
• Maple Syrup
• Ground cinnamon

In a greased 2-quart baking dish, tear off pieces from 1/2 of the French bread and put into dish.


Cut the creamcheese into slices and place over the bread pieces.

Sprinkle the dried cranberries over the creamcheese and bread pieces.

Top cranberries with remaining broken french bread pieces.



In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, milk and maple syrup.

Pour egg and milk mixture over bread and lightly press down the bread to saturate in the liquid mixture.  Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.  Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes.  Full recipe instructions below.

Cranberry Strata

• 8 cups           French Bread (Crusty)
• 1 8 oz           package of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup         dried cranberries
• 6                   eggs
• 2 ¼ cups       milk
• 1/3 cup         maple syrup
• ½ tsp            ground cinnamon or nutmeg

1. In a greased 2-quart rectangular baking dish, arrange half of the bread pieces, about 4 cups.
2. Cut cream cheese into 8-10 slices and arrange over the bread chunks.  
3. Sprinkle cranberries over bread chunks.
4. Top with remaining bread pieces (4 cups).
5. In a medium bowl beat together eggs, milk and maple syrup.
6. Pour over bread in dish.
7. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
8. Lightly press down with back of spoon or spatula to saturate bread with egg mixture.
9. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
10. Preheat oven to 350°F.
11. Bake covered for 45 minutes.
12. Uncover then bake for 20 minutes more.
13. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
14. Serve warm and topped with maple syrup, if desired.

Source: Culinary.net