Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake

$- 8 slices of thick bread (challah or brioche) - 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced - 4 large eggs - 2 cups milk - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts - Maple syrup, for serving Gathering the right ingredients makes all the difference. For this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake, choose thick slices of challah or brioche. These types of bread soak up the egg mixture well, giving you a soft and fluffy bake. You need three apples, too. I prefer a mix of sweet and tart apples, like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith. The sweetness from the brown sugar and cinnamon will balance the tartness perfectly. Next, grab four large eggs and two cups of milk. These are the base for your custard. They create a rich, creamy texture. For flavor, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg are essential. These spices bring warmth and depth to your dish. You can adjust them based on your taste. If you like some crunch, add walnuts. They lend a nice texture. Serve your bake with maple syrup for that classic touch. Enjoy! - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter. - Cut 8 slices of thick bread into cubes. Place half of the cubes in the dish. - In a medium bowl, mix 3 diced apples with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. - Layer this apple mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish. - In a large bowl, whisk together 4 eggs, 2 cups of milk, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg. - Pour this egg mixture over the layered bread and apples. Press down gently to soak the bread. - If you like, sprinkle 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts on top. - Cover the dish with foil and let it sit for about 15 minutes. - Remove the foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown. - Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm with maple syrup drizzled on top. Soaking the bread well is key for a great texture. You want every piece to soak up the egg mixture. This helps create a soft center while the top gets a nice crunch. Aim for at least 15 minutes of soaking. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-40 minutes. Keep an eye on it towards the end. You want a golden top and a slight jiggle in the center. This means it’s perfectly cooked. You can adjust the spices to match your taste. If you love cinnamon, add more! You might also try a pinch of ginger or allspice for a twist. To balance sweetness, choose tart apples like Granny Smith. They add a nice contrast to the sweet egg mixture. Mixing sweet and tart apples can create a rich flavor. For serving, use a large platter to show off your bake. Dust with powdered sugar for a sweet touch. Garnish with extra apple slices and a few cinnamon sticks. This adds color and makes your dish look inviting. A drizzle of maple syrup on top is a must for serving. {{image_2}} You can change the bread to make this dish even better. Sourdough or whole grain bread adds a nice texture. They soak up the egg mixture well. If you need gluten-free options, use gluten-free bread. Many brands taste great and work just as well in this recipe. You can mix in other fruits too. Berries like strawberries or blueberries add a pop of color and flavor. Sliced bananas also work well and make it sweeter. For some crunch, try using different nuts. Almonds or pecans can replace walnuts for a new twist. You can create fun twists for the holidays. Add cranberries for a festive touch in winter. In fall, try using pumpkin spice instead of cinnamon. Seasonal spices like ginger and allspice can give this dish a warm flavor. To store leftovers, let the dish cool first. Place any remaining French toast bake in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you want to enjoy it again, simply reheat it. You can use the microwave or the oven. If using the microwave, heat individual portions for one to two minutes. If using the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C) and warm for about 10-15 minutes. For long-term storage, you can freeze the French toast bake. Cut it into squares and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped pieces in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will stay fresh for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the pieces in the refrigerator overnight. To reheat, follow the same steps as for short-term storage. Enjoy your delicious breakfast anytime! Yes, you can prepare this dish the night before. Just follow these steps: - Assemble the French toast bake in the baking dish. - Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil. - Place it in the fridge overnight. This helps the bread soak up the egg mixture. In the morning, just bake it straight from the fridge. To make this dish dairy-free, you can swap out the milk and eggs. Use these easy substitutions: - Replace milk with almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. - For eggs, use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce for each egg. These changes keep the flavor while making it suitable for dairy-free diets. For the best taste, use a mix of sweet and tart apples. Here are my top picks: - Honeycrisp apples for sweetness. - Granny Smith apples for tartness. These apples balance each other well, giving your French toast bake a full flavor. This recipe is simple and full of flavor. You learned about essential ingredients like thick bread, apples, and eggs. Adding spices and optional toppings sets it apart. Following the step-by-step instructions ensures you create a tasty dish. Plus, with tips on storage and variations, you can tailor it to your taste. Enjoy this recipe for breakfast, brunch, or any meal. I hope you feel confident in making it your own!$

Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake! This delicious recipe combines thick bread, sweet apples, and warm spices for a cozy breakfast treat that's perfect for gatherings or lazy weekends. With simple steps and easy ingredients, you'll have a delightful dish ready to impress in just about an hour. Click through to explore the full recipe and make your mornings special with this delightful bake!

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Ingredients

8 slices of thick bread (such as challah or brioche)

3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced

4 large eggs

2 cups milk

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Maple syrup, for serving

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Cut the bread into cubes and place half of the cubes in the prepared baking dish.

In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Stir well and layer the apple mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish.

Layer the remaining bread cubes on top of the apples.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, remaining brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until fully combined.

Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and apples, ensuring all pieces are soaked. Gently press down on the bread to submerge it in the liquid.

If desired, sprinkle chopped walnuts over the top for added crunch.

Cover the baking dish with foil and let it sit for about 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Remove the foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set, with a slight jiggle.

Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into squares. Serve warm with maple syrup drizzled on top.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 8

- Presentation Tips: Serve the French toast bake on a large platter, dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with extra apple slices and cinnamon sticks for a lovely autumn touch.