Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe
If you’re craving a breakfast that feels like a warm, cozy hug on a chilly morning, you simply must try this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe. It’s a delightful dish where tender brioche bread soaks up a luscious, spiced custard, topped with luscious sautéed apples that bring both sweetness and a gentle tartness. This recipe transforms classic French toast into an easy, crowd-pleasing casserole, perfect for lazy weekend brunches or special family gatherings. Each bite bursts with cinnamon warmth and comforting apple goodness, making it an instant favorite you’ll want to return to again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe comes from its handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. Each one plays a key role in creating layers of flavor and a perfect balance of textures—from the rich, buttery brioche to the sweetly spiced apple topping and the creamy, fragrant custard that ties it all together.
- Brioche bread: A soft, buttery loaf that makes the base extra tender and flavorful when soaked.
- Apples: Fresh and peeled, these add a juicy crunch and natural sweetness to the dish.
- Eggs: Provide the structure needed for the custard to set beautifully around the bread.
- Whole milk: Adds creaminess and helps make the custard rich and smooth.
- Heavy cream: Boosts the custard’s decadence, creating a luscious mouthfeel.
- Brown sugar: Divided to sweeten the apples and the custard for depth and caramel notes.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Ground cinnamon: A key spice that infuses the whole dish with warm, comforting aroma.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a sweet floral background note that lifts every bite.
- Unsalted butter: For sautéing the apples to soften them and enrich the dish.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance and balance the sweetness.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bread Base
Start by greasing a 9 by 13-inch baking dish so nothing sticks, then spread your cubed brioche bread evenly across the bottom. The brioche’s tender, buttery texture will soak up all the custard goodness to come, making every bite deliciously soft yet structured.
Step 2: Cook the Apples
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the sliced apples along with a quarter cup of brown sugar and a teaspoon of cinnamon. Cooking them for 5 to 7 minutes softens the apples gently while caramelizing the sugar, releasing their natural juices and deepening the flavor to perfection.
Step 3: Layer the Apples
Once the apple mixture is warm and glossy, spread it evenly over the bread cubes. This layer will infuse brightness and a subtle tartness, balancing the sweet custard about to envelope the bread.
Step 4: Whisk the Custard
In a large bowl, combine eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, remaining brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and silky. This custard is the heart of your dish, ensuring every piece of bread becomes tender and infused with sweet-spicy flavor.
Step 5: Pour and Press
Gently pour the custard over the layered bread and apples, making sure to cover all pieces. Press down lightly on the bread cubes so they soak up as much of the liquid as possible—this step guarantees a custardy, melt-in-your-mouth texture once baked.
Step 6: Refrigerate to Set
Cover your baking dish and refrigerate for at least an hour or, even better, overnight. This resting time lets the flavors meld and ensures the bread fully soaks up the custard, giving you a perfect bake every time.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the custard is set in the center and the top shines with a beautiful golden-brown crust inviting you in.
Step 8: Let it Cool and Serve
Allow your Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This final rest helps the bake firm up slightly for neat slices and enhances the flavor as everything gets a chance to set perfectly.
How to Serve Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your serving with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of pure maple syrup, or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For extra flavor, sprinkle some toasted pecans or chopped walnuts, adding crunch and a nutty contrast to the soft custard and apples.
Side Dishes
This bake pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit salad for a light contrast or a crisp green salad with a citrusy vinaigrette to balance the sweetness. A side of crispy bacon or savory sausage links offers a perfect salty counterpoint, rounding out your brunch beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider serving individual portions in small ramekins for intimate gatherings, or layer it in clear glass dishes to showcase the colorful apples and custard. You can also top each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe keeps nicely covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store it tightly to maintain moisture and flavor, and always bring leftovers to room temperature or warm gently for the best experience.
Freezing
This dish freezes beautifully! Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil or use an airtight container, then freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat slices gently in a 325-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisped on top. Avoid the microwave if possible to keep that lovely texture intact, but if pressed, use medium power and check frequently to prevent toughness.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread?
Absolutely! While brioche is ideal for its richness, challah or a sturdy white bread can also work well. Just avoid super dense or whole grain breads which might soak up too much custard or become overly heavy.
Is it okay to prep the night before?
Yes, prepping the night before makes this recipe super convenient. The overnight soak deepens the flavors and softens the bread beautifully, so it’s even tastier the next day.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can substitute the milk and cream with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk and vegan butter for cooking apples. The texture and flavor might shift slightly, but it will still be delicious.
How do I know when the bake is fully cooked?
The center should be set and no longer jiggly when you gently shake the pan. The top will also turn a light golden brown, signaling it’s perfectly baked.
Can I add nuts or other fruits?
Definitely! Adding chopped nuts to the top before baking adds a lovely crunch. You can also mix in diced pears or berries with the apples to vary the flavor and add interesting textures.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe is a true treasure for anyone who loves cozy meals filled with heartwarming flavors. Easy to prepare yet impressive on the table, it’s perfect for busy mornings or relaxed weekends. Give it a try—you’ll likely find it becoming one of your favorite go-to dishes for breakfast, brunch, or even a sweet treat any time of day.
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Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake is a comforting breakfast casserole featuring soft brioche bread cubes soaked in a rich custard and topped with warm, cinnamon-spiced sautéed apples. Perfect for making ahead, it delivers a golden, tender dish bursting with autumn flavors and a touch of vanilla sweetness.
Ingredients
Bread and Fruit
- 1 loaf brioche bread (about 16 ounces), cut into cubes
- 3 medium apples, peeled and sliced
Custard Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, divided
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cooking Fat
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly and spread the cubed brioche bread evenly inside to create the base layer of the bake.
- Sauté Apples: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the sliced apples along with 1/4 cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until the apples soften slightly but retain some texture. Remove from heat.
- Add Apples to Bread: Evenly spread the warm apple mixture over the brioche cubes in the baking dish to ensure the fruit layers meld with the bread.
- Make Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until completely smooth and blended.
- Combine Custard and Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and apple layers in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread cubes to fully absorb the custard for a moist finish.
- Chill: Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight to let the flavors meld and bread soak properly.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the cover and bake the dish uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the center is set firm and the top has developed a beautiful golden brown color.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the French toast bake to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing into portions and serving warm.
Notes
- For best texture, soak the bread overnight in the custard before baking.
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
- To make ahead easier, prepare the apple mixture and custard the night before and assemble in the morning.
- Serve with maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar to enhance flavors.
- Can be reheated gently in the oven or microwave for leftovers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
