Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole: Your Ultimate Make-Ahead Breakfast for Cozy Mornings

This content has been sponsored by Inmar Intelligence and Midwest Dairy. All opinions are mine alone. #UndeniablyDairy #gotmilkrecipe

There’s nothing quite like the warmth and sweet aroma of baked apples and cinnamon drifting through your home on a chilly morning. This Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole delivers precisely that comforting experience, transforming ordinary breakfast into an extraordinary feast. Imagine waking up, brewing coffee, and simply sliding a prepped casserole into the oven – a truly effortless way to bring smiles to your family’s faces. This dish is truly the perfect make-ahead breakfast solution, loaded with tender baked apples, soaked in a rich, custardy milk and egg mixture, and crowned with a delightful cinnamon streusel topping. It’s a recipe you’ll undoubtedly want to revisit time and time again for special occasions or simply a luxurious weekend treat.

The Heart of the Home: The Comfort of Dairy and Local Farming

For me, living in a rural area means a deep connection to the farming community. Agriculture is a cornerstone of our local economy, providing livelihoods for many friends and neighbors. Being able to support these dedicated individuals by baking and cooking with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, especially dairy, is a genuine pleasure. From the wholesome milk to the farm-fresh eggs and creamy butter, this French toast casserole is a delicious celebration of what our local farmers provide.

My earliest memory of a school field trip was visiting a classmate’s family dairy farm in kindergarten. We met the cows and even tasted fresh cartons of milk straight from the source – an experience that fostered an early appreciation for dairy. Today, the dairy industry continues to innovate, focusing on sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and consumers. It’s truly impressive how much progress has been made: a gallon of milk produced in 2017 required 30% less water, 21% less land, and had a 19% smaller carbon footprint compared to 2007. These advancements mean we can enjoy nutrient-rich dairy foods with an even greater sense of responsibility and gratitude.

Dairy foods like milk, cheese, and butter are nutritional powerhouses, delivering essential vitamins and minerals crucial for our families, especially growing children. Key nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and protein found in dairy play a vital role in supporting a healthy immune system. Incorporating more dairy into your family’s diet is surprisingly easy; just add milk and other dairy products to your favorite recipes, from savory sauces to sweet baked goods. A simple trip to your local grocery store – I picked up the milk for this recipe at my local Hy-Vee – provides everything you need to start baking!

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Essential Ingredients for Your Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole

Crafting this delightful casserole requires a few simple yet essential ingredients that come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect make-ahead breakfast experience.

Crusty Bread: A good sturdy loaf of French bread, challah, or brioche is ideal. Its ability to absorb the rich custard without becoming mushy is key.
Chopped Apples: Two large apples (like Granny Smith for a tart contrast or Honeycrisp for sweetness) add a fantastic texture and classic fall flavor.
Eggs: The binding agent, creating that perfect custardy texture characteristic of French toast.
Whole Milk: Essential for a creamy, rich French toast. Its fat content provides a luscious mouthfeel.
Granulated Sugar: For balanced sweetness in the egg mixture.
Dark Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes to both the custard and the streusel topping. While light brown sugar can be substituted, the dark variety enhances the overall flavor profile significantly.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla elevates all the other flavors, adding warmth and depth.
Cinnamon: The star spice, complementing the apples beautifully and creating that irresistible comforting aroma.
All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of our crumbly streusel topping.
Butter: Crucial for richness in the custard and for bringing the streusel together.

Crafting Your Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this delicious breakfast casserole is straightforward, making it perfect for preparing the night before. Follow these simple steps for a stress-free morning meal:

You’ll begin by lightly greasing a 9×13 inch casserole pan with nonstick baking spray to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
Next, either cut or tear your chosen bread into bite-sized chunks. Arrange these bread pieces evenly at the bottom of the prepared pan. Over the bread, layer your freshly chopped apples. This step is also a great opportunity to involve younger family members in the kitchen!
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the large eggs, rich whole milk, both granulated and dark brown sugars, aromatic vanilla extract, and fragrant ground cinnamon until well combined. The whole milk is crucial here as it contributes significantly to the creamy, indulgent texture of the French toast.
Carefully pour this luscious milk mixture over the bread and apples in the casserole pan, ensuring that the bread cubes are thoroughly and evenly coated. This is critical for achieving a uniformly moist and delicious casserole. Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it in the refrigerator. It needs to sit overnight, or for a minimum of 6 hours, allowing the bread ample time to completely soak up all that flavorful custardy liquid. This soaking process is what makes the French toast incredibly tender and prevents it from being dry.
While the casserole chills, you can go ahead and prepare the irresistible streusel topping. Combine the flour, dark brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and melted butter in a plastic food-safe bag. “Smush” the ingredients together until a crumbly mixture forms. This method is quick, mess-free, and ensures everything is perfectly combined. Place this bag in the refrigerator alongside your casserole. The next morning, all that’s left to do is sprinkle the streusel over the casserole before baking – making your morning routine incredibly easy!

A close up image of a bite of french toast casserole dripping with syrup.

Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole

Loaded with baked apples and topped with cinnamon streusel, Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole is the perfect easy make-ahead breakfast.

4.44 from 51 votes

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Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
45 minutes

Additional Time:
6 hours

Total Time:
6 hours 55 minutes

Servings:
12

Calories:

390kcal

Author:
Amy D

Ingredients

1 loaf French bread (cut into cubes)
3 cups chopped apples (approximately 2 large apples)
8 large eggs
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Streusel Topping

3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup melted butter

Instructions

Grease a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick baking spray.
Layer the bread cubes and apples in the bottom of the baking dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Pour this mixture evenly over the bread cubes and apples.
Cover the casserole and put it in the fridge overnight or let it sit in the fridge for at least 6 hours to allow time for the milk to soak into the bread.
Add the streusel ingredients to a large ziploc bag and smush together to combine. Put this in the fridge with the casserole until time to bake.
When ready, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Bake the French toast casserole for 35-40 minutes. Then remove it from the oven and sprinkle the streusel over the top. Continue baking for another 5-10 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean and the streusel is golden brown and crumbly.
Serve warm with maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy!

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Nutrition Information (per serving)

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Serving Suggestions & Creative Variations for Your French Toast Casserole

This Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole is a showstopper on its own, but you can elevate it further with a few simple additions. A generous drizzle of warm maple syrup is a classic choice, enhancing the sweetness and moistness of each bite. If you’re feeling adventurous and love the combination of sweet and salty, a touch of Salted Caramel Glaze would be absolutely divine, especially if you’re a fan of caramel apples. Consider a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish, or serve with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra layer of indulgence. For a bit of crunch, toasted pecans or walnuts sprinkled on top would be fantastic.

Thinking about variations? While apples and cinnamon are a match made in heaven, feel free to experiment with other fruits. Pears, peaches, or even berries could create a delightful twist. You could also add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the custard for a more complex spice profile. This casserole is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit your family’s preferences or seasonal ingredients.

Storage and Reheating Tips

One of the best features of this make-ahead breakfast is its excellent storability. If you happen to have leftovers (a rare occurrence with this delicious dish!), simply cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, you can reheat individual servings in the microwave or warm the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through, usually about 15-20 minutes for a whole casserole, or less for individual slices.

I truly hope that your family will fall in love with this easy and comforting make-ahead breakfast. It has certainly become one of our cherished favorites. What’s your go-to baking recipe that truly shines with the simple goodness of milk?

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