Description
Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole brings warmth and comfort straight from your kitchen to the breakfast table. Packed with tender apples and rich cinnamon, this make-ahead dish delivers pure morning delight without morning stress.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread, cubed
- 2 cups apples, peeled and chopped
- 4 large eggs
Binding and Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Sweeteners and Spices:
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Whisk 4 large eggs, 2 cups milk, ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon in a spacious mixing bowl until smooth and thoroughly blended.
- Add 1 loaf of cubed French bread to the liquid mixture, gently stirring to ensure every bread cube gets completely saturated with the egg blend.
- Carefully incorporate 2 cups of peeled and chopped apples into the bread mixture, distributing them evenly throughout the casserole.
- Transfer the entire mixture into a generously greased baking dish, spreading the ingredients uniformly across the pan’s surface.
- Create a delectable topping by combining ¼ cup brown sugar with ¼ cup melted butter in a separate small bowl.
- Drizzle the brown sugar and butter mixture over the casserole, ensuring an even distribution across the top.
- Securely cover the baking dish and place in the refrigerator to rest and develop flavors overnight.
- Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature while preheating the oven to 350°F.
- Slide the uncovered casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface that signals perfect doneness.
- After removing from the oven, allow the casserole to cool for 5-7 minutes, which helps it set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Bread choice matters – Use day-old French bread or challah for the best texture and absorption of the custard mixture.
- Apples make a difference – Select firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during cooking.
- Make it gluten-free – Swap French bread for gluten-free bread cubes and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep ahead saves time – This casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance, making morning breakfast preparation incredibly simple.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg