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Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole is the perfect recipe for holidays or any time you want a fun breakfast without a ton of work. This easy breakfast casserole loaded with fresh apples and a delicious streusel topping!
Overnight French Toast Makes Breakfast Easy
The past few days, I’ve been spending time with some awesome bloggers in San Francisco. I’m home now, but I had a blast with everyone. It was a super relaxed trip. There was a general agenda of some fun things to do to explore the city but no pressure or strict schedule. I finally got to see the Golden Gate Bridge too! The last time I was in San Fran with the hubs, there was so much fog you’d have thought the bridge wasn’t real. This time we had amazing weather every day. And since Dorothy (from Crazy for Crust) grew up there, she was the perfect guide!
To give you an idea of the relaxed nature of the trip, one morning when I walked into the suite at the hotel that acted as our gathering space and “home base”, I asked if there was coffee creamer when I made coffee. The response I got was, “There’s Baileys!” Oh, how I love Lisa (from Wine and Glue)! 🙂 And I did have Baileys. I mean, that’s what vacation – and friends – are for, right? The weekend was full of just the right mix of blogging talk and relaxing with friends.
One of the great things about this french toast casserole is that because it’s so easy to prepare, you can totally enjoy time with your family rather than spend a bunch of time making breakfast. Particularly at the holidays, with so much going on and so much food being prepared, it allows you to get some prep work done ahead so you can spend the morning with your family. That’s how I like it. Not to mention that it’s cinnamon apple, which I love.
How to Make Overnight French Toast Casserole
Preparing this breakfast casserole is quite easy and uses pretty standard ingredients, which I’m into. You’ll want a nice sized loaf of bread, about 1 pound. I personally am a big fan of sourdough bread in all things, so it’s what I use in this casserole. Feel free to use another kind of bread, but I wouldn’t suggest regular sandwich bread. That would be a little soft and wouldn’t bake quick as nicely. Add some chopped apples to the bread and add it to a casserole dish.
The egg and milk mixture that’s poured over the bread is all mixed together in a big bowl. Easy, right? You’ll combine eggs, milk, cream, sugars and some flavorings. I like to use a mix of 2% milk and heavy cream to get some good fat in there and keep this casserole soft and moist. I also love using a mix of regular and brown sugars. The brown sugar adds some nice flavor to compliment the cinnamon and apples. For additional flavor, we’ve got some vanilla and cinnamon.
I like to try to be sure when I pour the mixture over the bread that I get all the bread on top a little wet. It’ll moisten and soak up the liquid overnight, but that’ll help make sure that nothing gets too dry when it bakes later. On top of the casserole is some cinnamon streusel – which is basically like magic when sprinkled over anything.
How Long Does French Toast Casserole Need To Cook?
The casserole should be baked for about 35-40 minutes. It’ll depend a bit on your preference – some people like a little moister center and some like it a little more cooked. One way to test the doneness is to stick a knife in the middle and see how much moisture comes out on it.
I like to serve the french toast casserole with some maple syrup, but powdered sugar and even caramel sauce could make fun additions. You know me – always finding a way to satisfy that sweet tooth. 😉
Your Whole Family Will Love This Easy Breakfast Casserole
This breakfast casserole was a big hit! The cinnamon and apples are such a great flavor for breakfast. The apples soften while baking, but they aren’t soggy. The inside is soft and moist, the top is just crunchy enough. I can’t wait to make it again when the holidays roll around. 🙂
More French Toast Recipes You Might Like:
Pumpkin Bread French Toast
Overnight Baked Banana French Toast Casserole
Overnight Funfetti Cake Batter French Toast Casserole
Overnight Pumpkin Spice Baked French Toast Casserole
Berry French Toast Casserole
Bailey’s Spiked French Toast
Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole is the perfect easy recipe for holidays or any time you want a fun breakfast without a ton of work. It’s loaded with fresh apples and a delicious streusel topping!
Ingredients
Casserole
- 1 lb loaf Sourdough Or French Bread, cut into chunks
- 3 cups (326g) chopped apples (2 large apples)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups (480ml) milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup (104g) sugar
- 1/4 cup (36g) light brown sugar, unpacked
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Streusel Topping and Additional Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (98g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (169g) firmly packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice
- 1/2 cup (112g) salted butter, cut into pieces
- Additional toppings such as maple syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream or caramel sauce, optional
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Then chop the bread into bite-sized chunks with a serrated knife and place the chunks in a large bowl.
- Chop the apples into small chunks. (The skin can be peeled off or left on according to personal preference.) Add the apples to the bowl with the bread and stir gently to combine.
- Lay the bread chunks and chopped apples in an even layer in the bottom of the dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, sugars, cinnamon and vanilla. Pour evenly over bread, making sure the top is saturated.
- Cover the casserole and store in the fridge overnight.
- When ready to bake the casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Bake the casserole uncovered for about 35-40 minutes.
- While the casserole bakes, combine the dry ingredients for the streusel in a small bowl. Add the butter and mash it into the dry mixture until it becomes crumbly.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the streusel over the top of the casserole.
- Bake casserole for about 5 more minutes, or until the streusel is melted and crisp.
- Allow the casserole to cool slightly. Serve warm with syrup or other desired toppings.
- Store in the fridge. Tastes best when eaten within 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Slice
- Calories: 457
- Sugar: 30.4 g
- Sodium: 405.4 mg
- Fat: 17.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 60.8 g
- Protein: 14.7 g
- Cholesterol: 161.7 mg
Filed Under:
Enjoy!
Hi there. Can I substitute the milk for almond milk or soy milk when making this recipe? I have someone in the family that cannot have cow milk due to allergies. Thanks.
I would think it’d be ok. It could affect it a little, but probably not to much.
Could I just let this soak for a bit rather than overnight? How long would you say would work? 2hours? I didn’t get to do it when I wanted but still have all the stuff and family won’t be around tomorrow am
I made
this for Christmas Brunch, it was tasty, but it wasn’t quite done. I will make it again but I will cook it for 55minutes.
Do you think this would work with Almond milk instead of whole milk and heavy cream?
Did you try it with the almond milk? How did it turn out? Also how much almond milk did you use? I’m dairy free right now so I couldn’t use the milk and cream.
I used a can of full fat coconut milk and 1/2 cup of regular coconut milk since a family member is lactose intolerant. It was fantastic. I cooked mine for 1 hour total.
Made this for a work function and it was a huge hit.
Did you keep it covered when baking it?
No, I cook it uncovered.
Do you have to use the sourdough or French loaf? I only have honey wheat loaf bread right now.
I’d suggest one of those since they’re firmer and will hold up better. You could try the honey loaf though.
I made this with a softer bread, it was delicious and custardy- very much like a bread pudding- and a big hit in my house! I think if using a softer loaf, cutting the bread and letting the cubes dry out for a few hours first would help.
I’ve made French toast casseroles before but never thought to add chopped apples! I used crusty italian bread and extra creamy oat milk and it turned out perfect. I also halved the recipe and used an 8×8 pan and it turned out great. Thanks!
I use just honey wheat and it works just fine!!
Made a pan this morning for Thanksgiving and now it’s gone! Yum! THANKS LINDSAY!
Can I make this on Wednesday afternoon and bake it Friday morning?
Hmm great question. I’ve only ever let it sit overnight before. I’m not sure, but I think it’d probably be ok.
I’m going to make this casserole for Christmas morning and I’m going to try putting pecans on top. Should add a nice touch.
It seems like way too much bread and that ive only used half and the pan is full. Am i doing something wrong?
I don’t know that you’re doing anything wrong. It can feel like a lot of bread. When you pour the egg mixture over it, it’ll condense a bit.
I tore my bread into smaller pieces the second time I made this recipe. That helped immensely!
I made this for a brunch party and it was a huge hit! I’m glad there are leftovers! I used macintosh apples and they had a honey flavor. Mmmm… I would definitely make this again!
Just ran into your blog via pinterest. This looks absolutely fabulous! Did you peel the apples first? What kind of apples did you use?
You could do it either way – with or without peeled apples. I don’t think I peeled them. I used Red Delicious apples, but you could definitely use other varieties.
I made this for Book Club today.. Delicious
French toast bake is a favorite around here! This looks like the perfect addition to a fall weekend brunch!
I never tire of traditional French toast but i love mixing things up. This apple version looks so perfect for these cooler mornings!
It’s on my schedule to make soon for my blog too. ????
Can I use brioche bread? Do you think that would work?
It might be a little too soft. Not sure.
How long should this be in the fridge if you want to bake it on the same day?
I’d try 4-6 hours.
I’m a big Dorothy and Lisa fan too, but I’m not lucky enough to have a girls’ weekend with them. Hope you guys had a total blast!
This looks amazing. I love overnight French toast casseroles. So easy and so much better than standing over the stove and making French toast!