Description
This Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake is a delightful breakfast casserole featuring layers of tender brioche bread, sweet diced apples, and a rich cinnamon-spiced custard. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a comforting and flavorful start to your day, perfect for family gatherings or weekend brunches.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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 and Serving
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
- Caramel sauce or maple syrup, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Cube your brioche bread into even pieces and allow it to dry slightly to better absorb the custard mixture.
- Prep the apples: Peel and dice the apples into small chunks, ensuring they are evenly sized for consistent baking.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the bake: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the bread cubes evenly in the dish, then sprinkle half of the diced apples over the bread. Repeat to create a second layer of bread and apples.
- Add custard and soak: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the layered bread and apples. Gently press down the mixture to ensure the bread absorbs the custard fully.
- Soak: Let the assembled casserole sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or alternatively refrigerate it overnight to allow maximum custard absorption and flavor melding.
- Preheat and butter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the soaked bread mixture.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes to start the cooking process gently.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the French toast bake is golden brown on top and set in the center.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bake to cool for 10 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar. Serve warm with optional caramel sauce or maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
- For best texture, allow the bread to dry slightly before soaking with custard to avoid sogginess.
- You can prepare this casserole the night before and refrigerate overnight for convenience.
- Substitute apples with pears or berries for flavor variations.
- For a dairy-free option, replace milk and cream with plant-based alternatives.
- Ensure the bake cools slightly before serving to allow it to set and slice cleanly.
