Apple Pie French Toast
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
1 d 6 hrs
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Additional Time
6 hrs
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Total Time
1 d 12 hrs 40 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Course
Breakfast
Apple Pie French Toast
Description
This recipe begins by preparing a custard mixture of whole milk, heavy cream, eggs, and vanilla extract. Thick slices of French bread are soaked thoroughly in this custard and refrigerated for at least six hours or overnight, ensuring the bread absorbs the rich mixture for a soft, custardy texture resembling baked bread pudding.
The apple pie topping is prepared separately by tossing peeled, cored, and thinly sliced baking apples with lemon juice to prevent browning. The apples cook in a saucepan with melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and cornstarch. This mixture softens the apples while creating a syrupy, spiced filling with cinnamon warmth and balanced sweetness.
When ready to bake, the bottom of a casserole dish is coated with a mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt. The soaked bread slices are then arranged on top, and the dish is baked until golden and bubbling, with the syrup mixture caramelizing. The prepared apple topping can be spooned over or served alongside the baked French toast for an apple pie-inspired finish.
This dish offers a comforting and hearty breakfast option, perfect for brunch or holiday meals. The step of soaking the bread overnight enhances texture and flavor integration, and the separately cooked apple topping delivers the familiar sweet and spiced notes of apple pie, making it a distinctive variation on classic French toast casseroles.
Ingredients
For the French Toast:
- 3/4 cup whole milk 170g/6 ounces
- 3/4 cup heavy cream 170g/6 ounces
- 8 egg large, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 French bread loaf, cut into 8 slices
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 85g/3 ounces
- 1 cup light brown sugar 213g/7 and 1/2 ounces, packed
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 156g/5 and 1/2 ounces
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Apple Pie Topping:
- 5 apple baking, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 43g/1 and 1/2 ounces
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar 50g/1 and 3/4 ounces
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar 53g/1 and 7/8 ounces
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
For the French Toast:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, heavy cream, eggs, and vanilla; beat well and set aside.
- Arrange sliced bread in a large shallow bowl. Pour the liquid mixture over the bread, making sure each piece has been covered. Wrap the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight.
- 30 minutes before you're ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Remove pan from heat and whisk in the brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt.
- Spread this mixture evenly across the bottom of a 3-quart casserole dish. Carefully arrange the soaked bread on top, leaving any excess liquid behind.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and the syrup mixture is bubbling.
While the french toast bakes, make your apple pie topping.
For the Apple Pie Topping:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced apples with the lemon juice and toss well to coat. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the apples, salt, and both sugars and, using a silicon spatula, mix well to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft and have begun to release some of their juices, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add in the cinnamon and cornstarch, mix well, and allow mixture to thicken, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
To Serve:
- Top each piece of french toast with a generous scoop of the apple pie topping and, if desired, a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream. Serve warm!
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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