Name: Caramel Apple French Toast Bake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: PT-491546H22M49S
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 1 loaf (13-16 ounces) challah, brioche, or French bread, day-old, cut into 1-inch cubes; 6 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 medium apples (such as Fuji, Honeycriss, or Gala), peeled, cored, and diced; 1/2 cup caramel sauce, plus more for serving

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This Caramel Apple French Toast Bake is the ultimate easy overnight breakfast casserole, perfect for those mornings when you want something special without the early wake-up call.

Caramel Apple French Toast Bake: Easy Overnight Breakfast Casserole 16

Imagine waking up to the aroma of warm cinnamon and tender apples, all baked into a delicious, custardy French toast. It’s a truly delicious make-ahead dish that everyone, from kids to adults, will absolutely adore.

Whether you’re planning a holiday brunch, a lazy weekend breakfast, or just want to treat your family to something extraordinary, this casserole delivers. It combines the comforting flavors of apple pie with the beloved texture of French toast, all in one convenient, crowd-pleasing dish.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true winner for so many reasons, making it ideal for busy families and anyone who loves a delicious breakfast with minimal fuss. First and foremost, it’s an overnight casserole, which means almost all the work is done the night before. You simply assemble it, pop it in the fridge, and then bake it fresh in the morning. This makes it perfect for special occasions like holiday brunches, when you’d rather spend time with loved ones than be stuck in the kitchen, or even just for a relaxed weekend breakfast. It’s incredibly family-friendly; the sweet, warm flavors of apple and cinnamon are universally appealing, and the soft, custardy texture is a hit with kids and adults alike. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up day-old bread, transforming it into something truly spectacular. You can easily scale it up for a larger crowd or keep it modest for a smaller gathering.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this Caramel Apple French Toast Bake is straightforward. You likely have many of these staples in your pantry already, making it a convenient choice for a spur-of-the-moment breakfast treat. We’re focusing on simple, accessible items that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.

INGREDIENTS:

1 loaf (13-16 ounces) challah, brioche, or French bread, day-old, cut into 1-inch cubes
6 large eggs
1 ½ cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
2 medium apples (such as Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala), peeled, cored, and diced
½ cup caramel sauce, plus more for serving

For the bread, challah or brioche offers a rich, tender crumb that soaks up the custard beautifully, but a sturdy French bread works just as well. Day-old bread is key here, as it absorbs the liquid without becoming soggy. For the apples, choose varieties that hold their shape well when cooked and offer a good balance of sweetness and tartness. If you don’t have whole milk, 2% milk can work, though it will result in a slightly less rich custard. Similarly, if you don’t have heavy cream, you can use all milk, but the cream adds a wonderful richness. Store-bought caramel sauce is perfectly fine and convenient for this recipe; look for one that’s not too thin.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

Prep Time: 20 minutes (for assembling the casserole the night before)
Chill Time: 8 hours (or overnight)
Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 5 minutes (active time + baking time, not including chill time)

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this delicious Caramel Apple French Toast Bake is a simple process, with most of the work done well in advance. Follow these steps for a perfect outcome every time.

Prepare the Bread: Start by cutting your day-old bread into 1-inch cubes. Distribute these bread cubes evenly in a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Ensure the cubes are spread out so they can all absorb the custard.
Dice the Apples: Peel, core, and dice your apples into small, uniform pieces. Scatter these apple pieces over the bread cubes in the baking dish. This ensures a good distribution of apple in every bite.
Whisk the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined and the sugar has dissolved. Make sure there are no streaks of egg white remaining.
Pour and Drizzle: Carefully pour the egg custard mixture evenly over the bread and apples in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to ensure all the pieces are submerged and soaking up the liquid. Drizzle half of the caramel sauce (about ¼ cup) over the top of the casserole.
Chill Overnight: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight. This crucial step allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, leading to a wonderfully tender and custardy texture when baked.
Bake in the Morning: The next morning, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while the oven preheats. This helps it bake more evenly.
Cook to Golden Perfection: Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 45-55 minutes, or until it’s golden brown on top, puffed up, and the center is set (a knife inserted into the center should come out clean). If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
Serve Warm: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with the remaining caramel sauce (warmed slightly, if desired) and any other desired toppings.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This Caramel Apple French Toast Bake is wonderfully versatile, allowing for simple tweaks and creative serving options to suit any occasion or preference.

For a nuttier flavor, sprinkle ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts over the bread and apples before pouring the custard. If you want to add a touch of citrus, a teaspoon of orange zest in the custard mixture can brighten the flavors. You could also swap out the apples for pears for a different fruit profile. For a richer caramel flavor, consider adding a few extra tablespoons of caramel bits or chopped caramel candies along with the apples.

When serving, a dusting of powdered sugar always looks elegant and adds a subtle sweetness. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns this breakfast into a dessert-like treat. For a truly decadent experience, offer a side of warm maple syrup. This casserole is fantastic on its own for a family breakfast, but it also shines as part of a larger brunch spread alongside scrambled eggs, bacon, or a fresh fruit salad. It’s excellent for potlucks or holiday gatherings because it’s a make-ahead dish that serves a crowd beautifully.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a straightforward recipe like this, a few common mistakes can impact the final outcome. Knowing what to look out for will help you achieve a perfect French toast bake every time.

One frequent issue is using fresh bread instead of day-old bread. Fresh bread tends to absorb the custard less efficiently and can result in a soggy, rather than custardy, texture. Always aim for bread that’s a bit stale, or lightly toast fresh bread cubes in the oven for 10-15 minutes to dry them out before assembling.

Another common pitfall is not allowing enough time for the casserole to chill overnight. The overnight soak is crucial for the bread to fully absorb the egg mixture, which is what creates that desirable soft, custardy interior. Rushing this step will lead to a dry, unevenly cooked casserole.

Overbaking can also be an issue, resulting in a dry, rubbery texture. Keep an eye on the casserole during the last 10-15 minutes of baking. It should be golden brown and puffed, and a knife inserted into the center should come out clean, but it shouldn’t be bone dry. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely tent it with foil.

Finally, ensure your baking dish is adequately greased. This prevents the French toast from sticking to the bottom and sides, making serving much easier and ensuring you get every delicious piece.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

One of the best features of this Caramel Apple French Toast Bake is its make-ahead convenience and excellent storage capabilities.

Making It Ahead: As the recipe suggests, the entire casserole can be assembled the night before and refrigerated. This is the ideal way to prepare it, as the overnight soak allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, leading to the best texture. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. In the morning, remove it from the fridge about 15-20 minutes before baking to allow it to come closer to room temperature, which helps with even cooking.

Storing Leftovers: Any leftover French toast bake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.