Make the sweetened cream cheese. Use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla together in a bowl. Set is aside once done.
Mix the egg mixture. Whisk the eggs together in a separate bowl. Add the milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt and vanilla and whisk again. Set it aside once done.
Assemble. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray (or grease with butter) and spread half the bread pieces over the bottom. Dollop half the sweetened cream cheese over the bread pieces and sprinkle half the berries over the top. Repeat the layers (bread, cream cheese & berries) then pour the egg mixture over the casserole making sure it covers all the bread pieces. Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and let it sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour - overnight. (The longer it sits, the more custard-like it will be.)
Bake. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Remove the foil from the dish and sprinkle cinnamon sugar (if desired) over the top of the casserole. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the top is toasted and the casserole is cooked through.
Serve. Garnish with powdered sugar then slice and serve with warm maple syrup.
