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Baked Caramel-Apple French Toast Recipe

Baked Caramel-apple French Toast

This warm and comforting baked caramel-apple French toast combines soft, custardy bread with sweet apples and a luscious caramel sauce. Perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast or special brunch, you can prep it the night before and simply bake in the morning.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 persons
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 slices French bread or brioche 1-inch thick, sturdy French bread works well.
  • 4 large eggs
  • 300 ml whole milk 1 1/4 cups.
  • 60 ml heavy cream 1/4 cup.
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 100 g brown sugar 1/2 cup, packed.
  • 2 medium apples Peeled, cored, and sliced. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended.
  • 55 g unsalted butter 1/4 cup.
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 50 g granulated sugar 1/4 cup.
  • For serving maple syrup Optional.

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch baking dish
  • 1 medium saucepan
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 whisk
  • 1 cutting board
  • 1 peeler
  • 1 set measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and half the salt. Stir until bubbly and smooth, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the sliced apples and cook, stirring, for about 4-5 minutes until slightly softened. Pour the caramelized apple mixture into the bottom of your baking dish, spreading evenly.
  4. Arrange the bread slices over the apples in a single layer, overlapping as needed.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, remaining cinnamon, and remaining salt until smooth.
  6. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, pressing down lightly so the bread absorbs the liquid. Let it soak for at least 10 minutes (or cover and refrigerate overnight for even better texture).
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the custard is set and the top is golden.
  8. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut into portions and serve warm, optionally drizzled with maple syrup.

Notes

Brioche or challah give the best texture, but sturdy French bread works well too.
To serve for a bigger crowd, double the recipe and use a deeper baking pan.
Slice apples thin for quicker, even cooking.
To prep ahead, assemble the dish the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Bake in the morning as directed.