Apple Cinnamon Baked French Toast Casserole

Custardy bread, tender apple pieces and a cinnamon-sugar top make this casserole a relaxed weekend breakfast. Slightly stale bread soaks up the custard without falling apart. Assemble it the night before for an easier morning, or give it a short rest before baking the same day.

Prep: 20 minutes · Cook: 50 minutes · Rest/chill: 30 minutes · Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

• Butter, for the baking dish
• 1 pound day-old challah or brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 medium apples, peeled, cored and diced
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup maple syrup, plus more for serving
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

How to Make It

1. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Spread half the bread in the dish, scatter over half the apples, and repeat with the remaining bread and apples.
2. Whisk eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and salt until uniform. Pour evenly over the bread. Press the top lightly so the bread absorbs the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
3. Heat the oven to 350°F. While it heats, take the dish out of the refrigerator. Mix brown sugar with the remaining cinnamon. Drizzle melted butter over the casserole and sprinkle on the sugar mixture.
4. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20–30 minutes more, until puffed, golden and set in the center; the egg mixture should reach 160°F. Rest for 10 minutes before serving with maple syrup.

Tips for the Best Result

Use bread that feels slightly dry, rather than fresh, squishy slices. Dice apples small so they soften by the time the custard sets. If the top browns early, cover loosely with foil for the rest of baking.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and keep for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions until hot throughout.

Image: AI-generated serving illustration. Cooking times are approximate; use the texture and temperature cues above.