Description
Warm apple cinnamon french toast casserole delivers pure breakfast comfort straight from your kitchen to the table. Crusty bread soaks overnight in sweet custard, baking into a golden morning treat that feels like a warm hug.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf brioche or challah
- 3 large apples
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Topping:
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Cut the brioche into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly across a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring your bread layer is uniform.
- Peel and dice 3 large apples into half-inch chunks, then scatter them across the bread cubes to create a balanced distribution.
- Crack 6 large eggs into a large mixing bowl and combine with 2 cups whole milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
- Whisk the custard mixture until all ingredients are thoroughly blended and smooth.
- Slowly pour the custard over the bread and apples, making sure to cover every surface evenly.
- Gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the liquid completely.
- Mix ⅓ cup light brown sugar with ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon and 3 tablespoons melted butter in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture across the top of the casserole to create a delicious crumb topping.
- Let the casserole rest at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor development.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Bake the casserole for 42-45 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and a set center.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- Let bread cubes be slightly stale for better absorption of the rich custard mixture, creating a more decadent texture.
- Allow the casserole to rest before baking, which helps the bread soak up all the delicious egg and cream mixture thoroughly.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular bread with your favorite gluten-free bread cubes without compromising the delightful flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness by reducing sugar or using a sugar substitute like monk fruit for a lower-carb alternative that still tastes amazing.
- Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 362 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg