Description
This Baked Apple Cider French Toast is a comforting, autumn-inspired breakfast casserole featuring custard-soaked bread baked to perfection with tender spiced apples and crunchy pecans. The bread is soaked in a flavorful mixture of eggs, apple cider, milk, and warm spices, then topped with a sautéed apple and pecan mixture before baking. Serve with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, or salted caramel sauce for a delightful start to your day.
Ingredients
Bread and Custard:
- 1 (12–14-ounce/340–400g) loaf French bread, brioche, or challah
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup (240ml) apple cider
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh orange zest
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch cinnamon
- Pinch salt
Apple Topping:
- 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter
- 4 medium apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices (about 4 cups/500g)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) apple cider
- 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (90g) pecan halves
For Serving:
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Maple syrup
- Salted caramel sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Slice the bread into 1-inch-wide slices. Let the sliced bread sit out uncovered for a few hours or up to one day to slightly stale, which helps it absorb the custard better.
- Grease the baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or any 3.5–4-quart baking dish with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the custard: In a medium bowl preferably with a pour spout, whisk together the eggs, apple cider, milk, brown sugar, orange zest, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
- Soak the bread: Dip each slice of bread into the egg custard mixture, soaking both sides thoroughly. Arrange the soaked bread slices side by side in the prepared baking dish. Pour any remaining custard over the top.
- Cook the apples: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced apples, apple cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes until the apples are slightly softened. Remove from heat and stir in the pecans.
- Assemble the casserole: Spoon the warm apple and pecan mixture evenly over the top of the custard-soaked bread. Pour any leftover sauce from the skillet over the entire casserole.
- Refrigerate to soak: Cover the baking dish tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 1 day. This allows the bread to absorb the custard flavors fully, enhancing texture and taste.
- Preheat the oven: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Bake uncovered: Place the casserole uncovered in the oven and bake for 20 minutes to start setting the custard.
- Bake covered: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for an additional 25–35 minutes, or until the center is set and no longer runny. Total baking time ranges from 45 to 55 minutes.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 5 minutes, allowing it to slightly deflate. Serve dusted with confectioners’ sugar and drizzle with maple syrup or salted caramel sauce as desired.
- Store leftovers: Cover leftover casserole tightly and refrigerate for up to 2–3 days.
Notes
- For a shortcut, if you don’t have time to let the bread sit out to stale, you can toast the slices lightly to help them absorb the custard more effectively.
- Using brioche or challah bread adds richness and a tender crumb to the French toast.
- The refrigerated soaking step is essential for a custardy and moist texture—it should not be skipped.
- Ensure the casserole is covered tightly in the refrigerator to prevent it from drying out.
- Adjust the spices in the apple topping to your taste preferences.
- To make this recipe vegan, substitute the eggs with a vegan egg replacer, the milk with a plant-based milk, and butter with vegan butter (note this will change texture and flavor).
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 3 hours to 1 day soaking time)
- Cook Time: 45 to 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American