Cinnamon Apple French Toast Bake

Side view of a helping of apple French toast bake.

4.75 from 4 votes

Cinnamon Apple French Toast Bake

Cinnamon Apple French Toast Bake is a perfect make-ahead dish for any holiday, family or friend gathering, or low-key lazy weekend brunch. Crusty bread PLUS apples get soaked in an egg custard and are then topped with a delicious buttery crumble.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword apple cinnamon french toast casserole, french toast bake, overnight french toast

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1 5

Servings servings

Calories 396kcal

Author Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

For the apples:

4 large apples - peeled and sliced
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
a splash of water

For the custard:

1 ¼ pounds crusty bread (sourdough or French bread) - cut into cubes (about 10-11 cups)
8 large eggs
2 ½ cups 2% milk - can use whole or half and half for a richer custard
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1/3 cup brown sugar - or use maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon

For the topping:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter - cold and cubed or shredded
butter and warm maple syrup - to serve

Instructions

For the apples:

Peel and slice the apples into thin slices. Add to a sauce pan and add the butter, sugar, and a splash of water. Cook over medium heat until apples are softened, approximately 10 minutes. Add the cinnamon and stir well. Set aside to cool.
4 large apples, 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar, a splash of water, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

For the casserole:

Grease a 9x13 casserole dish.
Slice the crusty bread in bite sized pieces and add to dish.
1 ¼ pounds crusty bread (sourdough or French bread)
In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, brown sugar, and cinnamon - and whisk until very well combined. Pour over the bread.
8 large eggs, 2 ½ cups 2% milk, 1 Tablespoon vanilla, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Then add the cooled apples over top the bread mixture, spreading evenly.
If making this casserole the day before, cover the casserole dish tightly with Saran Wrap. Place in refrigerate overnight.

For the topping:

In medium bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add the cold butter and use your hands to combine, until mixture is crumbly.
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup unsalted butter
If making this casserole the day before, place mixture in a resealable plastic bag in your refrigerator overnight. (Continue with the following step in the morning.)
Pour topping mixture evenly over the casserole right before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until piping hot and bubbly.
Serve French toast casserole with a dusting of powdered sugar, a pat of butter, and some warm syrup. Enjoy!
butter and warm maple syrup

Notes

Recipe Tips:

Pre-cooking the apples will guarantee that they are soft and tender in the French toast bake. Don't skip this step.
Use a nice crusty bread for best results. I've got lots of homemade bread recipes on the blog, but I prefer the sourdough bread for this recipe. You can buy it in the grocery store if desired.
I recommend serving this French toast casserole with butter and warm maple syrup.

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