place it on a baking sheet and bake at about 200° for 15-20 minutes, or until dry and crispy, taste one to see what it's like inside, it it isn't crispy keep going

to assemble the casserole butter a 2 1/2 quart baking dish

whisk the eggs and milk together

in a small bowl mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt together

whisk that into the egg mixture along with the vanilla

when the bread is dried put half of it in a mixing bowl and pour half the egg mix over the top

spread in the prepared pan, pressing the bread down into the egg mix to be sure it's soaking it up

sprinkle one cup of blueberries and half of the lemon zest over the top of the bread

repeat the layers and press the bread down as needed again

cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours so the bread can soak up the egg mix

to bake, remove it from the fridge and let it rest at room temp so the pan can come to temperature before baking

let it rest 10 minutes before serving

serve with syrup if desired