Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake

This Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casserole is my go to when I want to make breakfast for a crowd or need a cozy brunch dish that feels special yet simple. It is warm and softly spiced with the perfect blend of tender apples and rich custard soaking into soft buttery bread. Every bite reminds me of crisp fall mornings and the aroma will greet anyone still in bed long before they get to the table.

My family absolutely loves waking up to the scent of apples and cinnamon in the oven. The first time I baked this on a Sunday everyone wandered into the kitchen before I even called them and now it is our favorite brunch surprise.

Ingredients

• Brioche or challah bread: About sixteen ounces, cubed. This creates a soft yet sturdy texture and soaks up the custard beautifully, so look for a loaf with a little bounce when you press it
• Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples: Peeled and diced. Tart apples give that perfect brightness and hold up best during baking. Look for firm fruit that feels heavy for its size
• Large eggs: These create the custard base. Choose eggs with golden yolks for richer flavor
• Whole milk: Gives the custard body and richness. Check the date for the freshest result
• Heavy cream: Adds decadence to the custard. The thicker the cream the silkier the casserole
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness without overwhelming the fruit. Adjust to taste if you prefer
• Ground cinnamon: Warms up the flavor and works so well with apples. Buy freshly ground if you can for the best fragrance
• Ground nutmeg: A hint of spice makes it taste like fall. A little goes a long way
• Pure vanilla extract: Delivers delicious depth. Pure is best for baking
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness. Kosher salt dissolves nicely
• Light brown sugar: Used for the topping for a caramel hint. Look for moist brown sugar without hard lumps
• Unsalted butter: Provides richness in the topping. Melt gently so it spreads evenly

Instructions

Prepare Baking Dish:

Lightly grease a nine by thirteen inch baking dish with butter or a neutral nonstick spray making sure to cover all corners to prevent any sticking

Layer Bread and Apples:

Arrange your cubes of brioche or challah evenly across the baking dish so it is full but not overly packed. Scatter the diced apples over top filling gaps but leaving some apples peeking out

Mix Custard:

In a big mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt. Keep whisking until you see no streaks of egg for the smoothest custard

Soak the Bread:

Pour the custard slowly and evenly over the bread and apples. Let the mixture seep through then gently press down the bread with clean hands or a spatula so all the cubes get a little saturated but not soggy

Make and Add Crumble Topping:

Stir together light brown sugar, ground cinnamon and melted butter in a small bowl until it looks like wet sand. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture all over the casserole aiming for even coverage so every bite gets that crunchy sweet top

Rest or Refrigerate:

Let the assembled casserole sit at room temperature for fifteen to thirty minutes or cover and chill it overnight in the fridge for an even more flavorful result

Bake:

Place uncovered on the middle rack of a preheated oven at three hundred fifty degrees and bake for forty to forty five minutes. You want the top deeply golden and the center to just barely jiggle when you shake it

Cool and Serve:

Allow your casserole to cool for at least ten minutes before cutting. This helps all the layers set up. Dust with powdered sugar and add warm maple syrup if you like for a true treat

I love how the sweetness of baked apples and that hint of warm spice makes this casserole feel like eating a dessert for breakfast. Sliced Honeycrisp apples remind me of fall apple picking trips with the family and that first bite always brings back those crisp orchard mornings.

Storage Tips

Cool your casserole completely before covering tightly with foil or a lid. Store in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to keep it longer cut into squares and pack in airtight containers then freeze up to two months. Just defrost overnight in the fridge and rewarm in the oven for the best texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have brioche or challah use any rich sturdy white bread. Baguette or croissants are also great and give a slightly chewier result. For non dairy use almond milk and coconut cream. Swap apples with pears, peaches or frozen berries depending on the season.

Serving Suggestions

Dress this casserole up with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or offer whipped cream. Fresh raspberries or toasted pecans sprinkled over the top make it brunch party worthy. I like mine with a splash of maple syrup and an extra dusting of cinnamon.

Cultural and Seasonal Context

French Toast Casserole is a riff on classic Pain Perdu, turning everyday bread into something luxurious. While apples and cinnamon are classic fall flavors you can swap in fresh stone fruit in summer or cranberries at holiday time. If you want a more celebratory feel try adding streusel or topping with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for dessert.

Seasonal Adaptations

Best with tart firm apples from fall harvest. Cranberries or pears work beautifully in winter. Fresh peaches or blueberries shine in summer. Sometimes we add a sprinkle of almond slivers or a handful of dried cranberries when apples are out of season. My family likes to experiment with whatever is in our market bin.

Success Stories

When I first brought this out on our holiday morning the whole family asked for seconds. Neighbors have requested the recipe and my best friend even used it as a dessert after dinner. The leftovers warm up as if you just baked it.

Freezer Meal Conversion

Prepare the casserole up to the point of baking then wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to two months. After thawing overnight bake as directed and it tastes just as fresh. No need to alter the baking time unless your casserole is still partly frozen.

This casserole is sure to delight your family any time of year. Make it once for brunch and it is sure to become a classic in your kitchen.

FAQs about Recipes

→ Can I prepare this overnight?

Yes, assemble and refrigerate the dish overnight. Bake fresh in the morning for best texture and flavor.

→ Which bread works best?

Brioche or challah provide a rich texture, but sturdy French bread or Texas toast are great alternatives.

→ Can I use different apple varieties?

Yes, Honeycrisp and Granny Smith both work well, but any firm, tart apple adds great flavor and structure.

→ Is the casserole freezer-friendly?

Freeze baked portions once cooled. Reheat in an oven for best results. Freshly baked texture is optimal.

→ How should I serve it?

Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm. Maple syrup, whipped cream, or fresh fruit make great toppings.

→ Can the sweetness be adjusted?

Yes, reduce sugar slightly or use less brown sugar in the topping to suit your preference.