Apple baked French toast is a cozy breakfast that tastes just like fall. This make-ahead French toast casserole has brioche French toast topped with a buttery, caramelized apple topping.
Apple baked French toast is a comforting fall breakfast. This decadent French toast has slices of brioche bread that are soaked
in a spiced apple-flavored custard then topped with caramelized apples and baked until puffy and golden.
Serve this spiced French toast with maple syrup or caramel sauce for the ultimate indulgent weekend or holiday breakfast!
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Apple cider: Apple juice would make the best substitute for apple cider.
- Half-and-half: You could substitute whole milk for the half and half. Skim milk isn’t rich enough for this recipe.
- Maple syrup: Honey or brown sugar can be used in place of the maple syrup. If using honey, reduce the amount to 3 tablespoons as honey is sweeter than maple syrup.
- Orange zest: The orange zest adds a nice bit of brightness, but it can be omitted if you prefer.
- Spices: You can substitute an equal amount of apple pie spice for the spices.
- Brioche bread: You could substitute the brioche with another hearty bread like challah or Italian bread. Make sure the slices are on the thicker side. If the slices are too thin, they could fall apart.
- Apples: Honeycrisp apples are a good choice because they have a great balance between sweet and tart while also holds their shape well when cooked. If you don’t have Honeycrisp apples, use any firm baking apples such as Fuji, Pink Lady, Gala, or Granny Smith.
- Salted butter: Or substitute unsalted butter + a pinch of salt.
How to make apple baked French toast
Here you’ll find step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including instructions, is given below.
Step 1: Grease a 9”x13” casserole dish. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, apple cider, half and half, maple syrup, vanilla extract, orange zest, salt, cinnamon and ginger until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Cut the bread into 3/4 inch slices then line them up in the pan slightly overlapping them in the center.
Step 4: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices and set aside.
Step 5: Heat up a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the butter and heat until it melts and turns foamy.
Step 6: Add in the brown sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, and ginger and stir until well combined.
Step 7: Add in the apples and stir to coat. Cook, stirring until the apples are softened, but still have a bite to them and the sauce has thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 8: Evenly spoon the warm apples and sauce over the top of the soaked bread, making sure to gently spoon some of the apples down in between the slices.
Step 9: Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours.
Step 10: Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before you plan to bake it to take the chill off it.
Step 11: Preheat the oven to 350℉.
Step 12: Cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes.
Step 13: Carefully uncover and continue baking for an an additional 20-25 minutes or until the center is cooked through and the bread is puffed and golden brown.
Step 14: Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Step 15: Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Tips!
- Dairy-free: You can use nondairy milk, like coconut milk, in place of the half-and-half. Depending on which milk you choose, it may slightly alter the taste of the casserole. Also, feel free to use a plant-based butter in place of the butter.
- Variations: This recipe is pretty flexible and ingredients, like spices and their amounts, can be changed to suit your tastes.
Serving suggestions
The French toast can be served with your favorite toppings. Here are some suggestions:
- Maple syrup
- Caramel syrup
- Buttermilk syrup
- Homemade whipped cream
- Powdered sugar
Storage
Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.
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Apple Baked French Toast
Equipment
- 9×13 pan
Ingredients
Casserole
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 cup half and half
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Zest of one orange
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 16 ounce loaf brioche bread day old
Topping
- 3 ½ cups peeled and sliced baking apples about 4 large apples
- 1/3 cup salted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar light brown or dark brown
- 3 tablespoons apple cider
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Grease a 9”x13” casserole dish. Set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, apple cider, half and half, maple syrup, vanilla extract, orange zest, salt, cinnamon, and ginger until smooth and well combined.
- Cut the bread into 3/4 inch slices then line them up in the pan slightly overlapping them in the center.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices and set aside.
- Heat up a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Add the butter and heat until it melts and turns foamy.
- Add in the brown sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, and ginger and stir until well combined.
- Add in the apples and stir to coat. Cook, stirring until the apples are softened, but still have a bite to them and the sauce has thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Evenly spoon the warm apples and sauce over the top of the soaked bread, making sure to gently spoon some of the apples down in between the slices.
- Cover with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours.
- Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before you plan to bake it to take the chill off it.
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes.
- Carefully uncover and continue baking for an an additional 20-25 minutes or until the center is cooked through and the bread is puffed and golden brown.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Apple cider: Fresh apple cider or shelf-stable apple cider will work.
- Half-and-half: You could substitute whole milk for the half and half. Skim milk isn’t rich enough for this recipe.
- Maple syrup: Honey or brown sugar can be used in place of the maple syrup. If using honey, reduce the amount to 3 tablespoons as honey is sweeter than maple syrup.
- Spices: You can substitute an equal amount of apple pie spice for the spices.
- Brioche bread: You could substitute the brioche with another hearty bread like challah or Italian bread. Make sure the slices are on the thicker side. If the slices are too thin, they could fall apart.
- Apples: Any firm baking apples such as Fuji, Pink Lady, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith will work.
- Salted butter: Or substitute unsalted butter + a pinch of salt.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
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