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To make the Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake, you need simple and fresh ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need: - 8 slices of day-old brioche or challah bread - 2 large apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith) - 4 large eggs - 2 cups whole milk - 1/2 cup brown sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional) - Maple syrup for drizzling Let’s talk about why these ingredients matter. The bread gives a soft, fluffy base. Day-old bread holds the egg mixture well, ensuring every bite is delicious. The apples add a sweet and tart taste, which pairs perfectly with cinnamon. Walnuts bring a nice crunch, but you can skip them if you want a smoother texture. Each ingredient plays a key role to create a warm, comforting dish that feels like a hug. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat oven and prepare baking dish Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. This helps prevent sticking. 2. Combine bread and apple mixture In a large bowl, add 8 slices of day-old brioche or challah bread, cut into cubes. Next, add 2 diced apples. I like using Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for their sweetness and tartness. If you want, toss in 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts. Mix gently to spread the apples evenly. 3. Whisk egg mixture In another bowl, crack 4 large eggs. Pour in 2 cups of whole milk. Then add 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk until everything blends well. 1. Pour egg mixture over the bread and apples Carefully pour the egg mixture over the bread and apples. Make sure every piece of bread gets soaked. Press down lightly to help it absorb the liquid. 2. Cover and let it sit Cover the dish tightly with foil. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. For better flavor, place it in the fridge overnight. 3. Bake covered and uncovered Bake the covered dish for 30 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes. The top should turn golden and crispy. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with maple syrup for a sweet touch! For the best Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake, pick the right bread. I recommend using day-old brioche or challah. These breads soak up the egg mixture well and stay soft. Fresh bread can get too soggy. Day-old bread holds its shape and adds great texture. You can amp up the flavor with more spices. Try adding a pinch of allspice or ginger for warmth. Don't forget to use different types of apples. Honeycrisp adds sweetness, while Granny Smith brings tartness. Mixing these apples gives a nice balance. Serve this dish with maple syrup drizzled on top. You can also add fresh fruit or whipped cream for a treat. If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge in a covered container. They last for about three days. Enjoy them warm or cold! Pro Tips Choose the Right Bread: Using day-old brioche or challah enhances the texture, allowing it to absorb the custard without becoming soggy. Let It Soak: Allowing the mixture to sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight helps the flavors meld and the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture. Experiment with Toppings: Try adding other fruits like berries or bananas, or even a sprinkle of chocolate chips for a twist on the traditional recipe. Serve Warm: This dish is best enjoyed warm, so consider baking it right before serving for a cozy, fresh-out-of-the-oven experience. {{image_2}} You can add dried fruits like raisins or cranberries for a sweet twist. Nuts like pecans or almonds add crunch too. If you want a dairy-free option, use almond milk or coconut milk instead of whole milk. This change keeps it creamy and rich while making it suitable for those who avoid dairy. For a fun twist, try single-serve variations. Use ramekins for individual portions. This way, each person gets their own dish. Mini baked versions are also great. Use muffin tins to create small, portable bites. They cook faster and are perfect for a brunch or gathering. To keep your Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake fresh, store it in the fridge. Use an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. This dish lasts about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. If you know you won't eat it all, consider freezing some portions. You can reheat your bake in the oven for the best results. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bake in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Heat for about 15 to 20 minutes or until warm. If you prefer the microwave, cut a portion and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Heat it for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Check to make sure it's warm throughout. Enjoy your delicious leftovers! Can I use stale bread for this recipe? Yes, you can use stale bread. Day-old brioche or challah works best. Stale bread absorbs the egg mixture better. This leads to a richer flavor and texture. Fresh bread can become too soggy. How can I make this recipe ahead of time? To prepare ahead, follow these steps: - Combine the bread and apple mixture. - Whisk the egg mixture separately. - Pour the egg mix over the bread and apples. - Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight. This lets the flavors meld and makes for easy baking the next day. Is it possible to freeze Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake? You can freeze this dish. After baking, let it cool completely. Then, wrap it tightly in foil or plastic. It can last up to three months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge. Then bake at 350°F until warmed through. What can I substitute for walnuts? If you don't like walnuts, try pecans or almonds. You can also skip nuts altogether. This dish still tastes great without them. Can I increase or decrease the sugar amount? Yes, you can adjust the sugar. If you prefer less sweetness, use less brown sugar. For a sweeter taste, add more. Keep in mind that this changes the flavor slightly. How do I know when it's done baking? The bake is done when the top is golden and crispy. You can also test with a knife. Insert it into the center; it should come out clean. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This blog post covered a tasty Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake. We looked at the ingredients, steps, tips, and variations. Making this dish is easy and fun. You can customize it with your favorite bread and apples. Don't forget, storing and reheating tips help you enjoy leftovers. So go ahead and try this recipe! It's a great treat for breakfast or brunch. You’ll love how simple it is to make this warm, sweet dish again and again.

Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake

A delicious baked French toast dish featuring apples and cinnamon, perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 slices day-old brioche or challah bread, cut into cubes
  • 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
  • 1 serving Maple syrup for drizzling

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, diced apples, and chopped walnuts (if using). Toss gently to distribute the apples evenly throughout the bread.
  • In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well mixed.
  • Pour the egg mixture over the bread and apple mixture, ensuring all the bread is soaked. Press down lightly to help the bread absorb the liquid.
  • Cover the dish with foil and let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor absorption.
  • Bake the covered dish in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
  • Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with maple syrup before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, refrigerate overnight before baking.
Keyword apples, baked, breakfast, cinnamon, French toast