Description
Caramel Apple French Toast Casserole brings Sunday mornings alive with sweet apple goodness and custardy bread layers. Baked until golden and bubbling, this simple breakfast treat delivers comfort straight from your kitchen to the breakfast table.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients:
- 1 loaf day-old French bread
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 medium apples
Sweet and Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Finishing Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Dice your day-old French bread into precise 1-inch cubes, spreading them evenly across a generously greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Core and peel 4 medium apples, slicing them into delicate, thin wedges.
- Distribute apple slices meticulously across the bread cubes, creating an even layer.
- Whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ½ tsp ground nutmeg, and ¼ tsp salt in a large mixing bowl until completely smooth.
- Gently pour the egg mixture over the bread and apple layers, ensuring every bread cube becomes thoroughly saturated.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld.
- Thirty minutes before baking, heat your oven to 350°F and remove the casserole from the refrigerator.
- Allow the casserole to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Melt ½ cup unsalted butter and carefully drizzle it across the casserole’s surface.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until the top transforms into a beautiful golden brown and the center sets completely.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes to stabilize.
- Generously drizzle 1 cup of caramel sauce over the entire casserole.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup chopped pecans across the top just before serving for a delightful crunch.
- Slice into generous squares and serve while still warm.
Notes
- Use day-old French bread for the best texture and to prevent soggy results.
- Prep the casserole the night before to let flavors meld and save morning cooking time.
- Choose firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during cooking.
- For a gluten-free version, swap French bread with gluten-free bread cubes and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 483 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 245 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg