Description
This Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake is a delicious and comforting breakfast casserole featuring brioche bread soaked in a cinnamon-spiced custard with juicy diced apples. Baked until golden and tender, it’s perfect for a weekend brunch or special occasion. Serve it dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with caramel sauce or maple syrup for an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Fruit
- 6 cups brioche bread, cubed
- 2 medium apples, peeled and diced
Custard Mixture
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
- Caramel sauce or maple syrup, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Bread: Cube the brioche bread and let it dry slightly for better custard absorption, which helps the custard soak evenly into the bread for a moist and flavorful bake.
- Prepare Apples: Peel and dice the apples into small chunks, ensuring they are bite-sized to distribute evenly throughout the dish.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble Layers: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and layer half of the cubed bread followed by half of the diced apples. Repeat with the remaining bread and apples to create two even layers.
- Add Custard: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread and apples, then gently press down to ensure the custard soaks into the bread thoroughly.
- Soak: Let the assembled dish sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate it overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard fully.
- Preheat Oven and Add Butter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the soaked casserole to add richness and help achieve a golden crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes to cook the custard through without drying out the top.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is set firm.
- Cool and Serve: Let the French toast bake cool for 10 minutes. Optionally dust with powdered sugar and serve with caramel sauce or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
Notes
- For best texture, allow the bread to dry a bit before assembling to prevent sogginess.
- This dish can be assembled the night before and refrigerated, making it perfect for a make-ahead breakfast.
- Use brioche or another rich, thick-sliced bread for optimal custard absorption and flavor.
- If you prefer a crunchier top, you can sprinkle additional brown sugar before baking uncovered.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
