Apple Pie French Toast Casserole

Is this breakfast or dessert?

I am not completely sure, especially once a scoop of vanilla ice cream lands on top. Either way, this apple pie French toast casserole is worth making.

It has soft bread in the middle, golden pieces around the edges, and cinnamon apples spread over the top. The bread soaks in a mixture of eggs, milk, brown sugar, and vanilla before everything goes into the oven.

I like that most of the work can be done the night before. In the morning, I only need to add the apples and bake it. Serve it with maple syrup for breakfast or vanilla ice cream if you are treating it as dessert.

Apple Pie French Toast Casserole Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

For the French toast casserole

• 1 loaf brioche or French bread, cut into cubes
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt

For the apple topping

• 4 medium apples
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water

For serving

• Maple syrup
• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
• Ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add the bread cubes and spread them evenly across the dish.
2. Whisk the eggs, milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.
3. Pour the egg mixture over the bread. Gently press the bread down so each piece absorbs some of the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. You can also leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
4. Peel and core the apples, then cut them into small cubes.
5. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften.
6. Mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Pour it over the apples and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. Spoon half of the cooked apples over the soaked bread, gently pushing some between the bread cubes. Set the remaining apples aside for serving.
9. Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes. The top should be golden brown and the center should be set.
10. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes. Spoon the remaining cinnamon apples over the top.
11. Serve warm with maple syrup and a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon before serving.

Tips

• Brioche and challah give the casserole a softer, richer texture, but regular French bread also works.
• Slightly stale bread absorbs the egg mixture better than fresh bread.
• Use firm apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady.
• If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil during the final 10 minutes.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days and reheat them in the oven or microwave.