Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake

Written by Phantom Staff

Warm cinnamon apples, buttery brioche, and a golden streusel topping baked together for the ultimate cozy breakfast.

Bring a little fall comfort to the breakfast table with this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake. Soft brioche soaks up a maple-sweetened cinnamon custard, while fresh apples and a buttery pecan streusel create layers of flavor and texture in every bite.

Serve it warm with maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar for an easy weekend breakfast, holiday brunch, or cozy morning at home.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients

For the French Toast

• 1 loaf brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes.
• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced.
• 6 large eggs.
• 1½ cups whole milk.
• ½ cup heavy cream.
• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon.
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg.
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt.

For the Cinnamon Streusel

• ½ cup all-purpose flour.
• ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed.
• ½ cup chopped pecans, optional.

For Serving

• Warm maple syrup.
• Powdered sugar, optional.
• Fresh apple slices, optional.
• Chopped pecans, optional.

Directions

1. Prepare the Bakeware

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Lightly grease a large square or rectangular baking pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray.

2. Add the Bread & Apples

Arrange the brioche cubes evenly in the prepared pan.

Scatter the diced apples throughout the bread, gently tossing everything together so the apples are distributed throughout the French toast bake.

3. Make the Cinnamon Custard

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until completely combined.

Slowly pour the custard over the bread and apples, making sure to distribute it evenly.

Gently press the bread into the custard so the pieces can begin absorbing the mixture.

4. Make the Cinnamon Streusel

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Add the cold butter and use a fork or your fingertips to work it into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form.

Stir in the chopped pecans, if using.

Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the French toast.

5. Bake

Bake for approximately 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and crisp and the custard in the center is set.

If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover the pan with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.

Allow the French toast bake to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

6. Finish & Serve

Dust lightly with powdered sugar and finish with additional chopped pecans, if desired.

Serve warm with plenty of maple syrup.

Make It Your Own

Swap the apples for pears for another fall-inspired version, or add dried cranberries for a sweet-tart pop of flavor. Walnuts can replace the pecans, and a drizzle of caramel sauce makes it especially decadent for a holiday brunch.

For an easy morning, assemble the French toast and custard the night before, cover, and refrigerate. Add the streusel just before baking the next morning.

Cook It With Phantom

Bake something worth waking up for.

A Phantom bake pan takes this Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake from oven to table with plenty of room for layers of buttery brioche, cinnamon apples, and golden streusel.

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