Lemon Blueberry Overnight Baked French Toast with Lemon Syrup

INGREDIENTS

loaf soft French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (approximately 1 pound loaf, which will yield 9 to 10 cups)

8 oz

cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup

powdered sugar

3 tbsp

freshly-squeezed lemon juice

3 tsp

lemon zest, DIVIDED

12 oz

(about 2 cups) fresh blueberries

eggs

1 3/4 cups

whole milk

1/2 cup

pure maple syrup

1 tbsp

pure vanilla extract

1/8 tsp

salt

For the Lemon Syrup:

1/2 cup

water

2/3 cup

sugar

1/3 cup

freshly-squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp

fresh lemon zest

2 tsp

corn starch

2 tbsp

salted butter, at room temperature

2 tbsp

heavy cream

1/2 tsp

pure vanilla extract