If you love cozy mornings filled with comforting aromas, you are in for a real treat with this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe. It brings together sweet, tart apples and fragrant cinnamon with rich brioche bread soaked in a creamy custard, creating the ultimate warm and indulgent breakfast dish that’s perfect for lazy weekends or special family brunches. Each bite offers a delightful harmony of textures and flavors that feel like a big, delicious hug.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple and straightforward, yet each plays a key role in building the delicious layers of flavor, texture, and color in this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe. From the soft, buttery brioche to the aromatic spices and creamy custard, every component enhances the final dish.
- Brioche bread, 1 loaf (about 16 ounces), cubed: The rich, tender bread that soaks up the custard beautifully.
- Apples, 3 medium, peeled and sliced: Provides natural sweetness and slightly tart bite that balances the dish.
- Eggs, 6 large: These create the custard base that holds everything together.
- Whole milk, 2 cups: Adds creaminess and moisture to the custard.
- Heavy cream, 1/2 cup: Elevates the richness and silky texture of the custard.
- Brown sugar, 1/2 cup (divided): Gives warmth and caramel notes, splitting between the apples and custard.
- Granulated sugar, 1/4 cup: Sweetens the custard and balances the spices.
- Ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons (divided): Brings that signature spicy warmth to both the apples and custard.
- Vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon: Adds a fragrant depth that complements the cinnamon and apples perfectly.
- Unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons: Used for sautéing apples and contributes a rich, buttery flavor.
- Salt, 1/4 teaspoon: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the bread base
Start by greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish, then evenly spread the cubed brioche inside. The brioche’s soft texture makes it perfect for soaking up the custard, which will make every bite melt in your mouth.
Step 2: Cook the apples
In a skillet set over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the sliced apples, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the apples are tender but still hold their shape. This subtly caramelizes the apples, intensifying their natural sweetness and infusing a cozy cinnamon flavor.
Step 3: Layer the apples over the bread
Spread the warm apple mixture evenly over the cubed brioche in your baking dish. This ensures each bite gets a lovely burst of spiced apple goodness, weaving flavor throughout the bake.
Step 4: Make the custard mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, the remaining brown sugar, granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth. This custard is the magical glue that brings the bread and apples together, making the dish wonderfully creamy.
Step 5: Pour custard over the bread and apples
Gently pour the custard mixture evenly atop your bread and apple layers. Press the bread lightly so it absorbs the liquid fully—this step is crucial to achieve that perfectly soft, custardy interior.
Step 6: Chill before baking
Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least one hour, or better yet, overnight. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the bread to soak up maximum custard, making the bake ever more luscious.
Step 7: Bake
When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the uncovered dish in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the center is just set and the top has turned a gorgeous golden brown. The aroma filling your kitchen at this stage will be irresistible!
Step 8: Cool and serve
Allow the bake to cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This resting time lets everything set further, making serving a breeze without losing any of that creamy custard.
How to Serve Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup brings the perfect finishing touch to this warm, sweet dish. Freshly whipped cream or a sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts adds an inviting texture contrast that will have your guests asking for seconds.
Side Dishes
Pairing this dish with crispy bacon or sausage links offers a lovely savory balance to the sweet and cinnamon-spiced bake. A fresh fruit salad or a simple green salad with a citrus vinaigrette can also brighten the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve individual portions in cute ramekins for a charming personal touch. For a brunch spread, highlight the bake with a colorful platter of fresh berries and little bowls of assorted toppings like nuts, flavored syrups, and yogurt to let everyone customize their plates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep any leftover Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s a great make-ahead breakfast option for busy mornings when you need something hearty and ready to go.
Freezing
This dish freezes very well. Cover the unbaked casserole tightly with plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight for the best results.
Reheating
Reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 1 to 2 minutes or warm the entire bake in a 350°F oven until heated through. Reheating brings back that fresh-baked feeling every time.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of bread?
Absolutely! While brioche is ideal for its buttery texture, challah or a thick white bread can be delicious substitutes. Avoid dense or whole grain breads as they might not soak custard as well.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
To make a vegan version, swap eggs with a vegan egg replacer and use plant-based milk and cream alternatives. Silken tofu blended with a bit of plant milk can also mimic the custard texture.
How long should I soak the bread for best results?
For best texture and flavor infusion, aim for at least one hour of soaking in the refrigerator. Overnight soaking is even better as the bread fully absorbs the custard, making the bake ultra creamy.
Can I add nuts or dried fruits?
Yes! Chopped pecans or walnuts and dried cranberries or raisins add a delightful texture and flavor contrast. Sprinkle them over the apple layer before pouring the custard.
Is it okay to bake this dish ahead of time?
Definitely! You can assemble it a day ahead, refrigerate it overnight, and bake it fresh the next morning. This makes hosting brunches so much easier and stress-free.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe enough for anyone craving a warm, flavorful breakfast that feels like a comforting hug first thing in the morning. It’s easy to prepare, deliciously indulgent, and flexible for any occasion. Give it a try and watch it quickly become a cherished family favorite.
Print
Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake is a comforting and delicious breakfast casserole featuring tender brioche bread cubes soaked in a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard, layered with buttery cinnamon-spiced apples, and baked to golden perfection. Ideal for a cozy weekend brunch or holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Bread and Apple Layer
- 1 loaf brioche bread (about 16 ounces), cut into cubes
- 3 medium apples, peeled and sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Custard Mixture
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish evenly and spread the cubed brioche bread inside to form the base layer.
- Cook Apples: In a skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add the sliced apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Sauté the apples for 5 to 7 minutes until they are slightly softened and fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Layer Apples: Spread the warm cinnamon-buttered apple mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread and apple layers. Gently press the bread down so it absorbs the liquid, ensuring every piece is soaked.
- Chill: Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the custard to fully soak into the bread.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the dish from the refrigerator and bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bake to cool for 10 minutes before slicing into portions. Serve warm, optionally with maple syrup or powdered sugar.
Notes
- This bake can be assembled the night before for convenience and richer flavor.
- Use firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for the best texture.
- Swap brioche for challah or French bread if preferred.
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute milk and cream with almond or oat milk, and use a vegan butter.
- Top with chopped nuts or drizzle with caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
