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Baked Cinnamon Apple Butter French Toast with Maple Cream and Cinnamon Syrup Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 93 reviews
  • Author: Ben
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (or up to overnight if chilled)
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This Baked Cinnamon Apple Butter French Toast is a decadent breakfast or brunch dish featuring thick slices of challah bread filled with apple butter, soaked in a vanilla-egg custard, layered with cinnamon-spiced apples, and baked to golden perfection. Topped with a luscious maple cinnamon syrup and a whipped maple cream, this recipe offers a comforting blend of warm spices, buttery richness, and sweet apple goodness.

Ingredients

Scale

French Toast and Filling

  • 1 loaf challah bread (sliced into 1 1/2 inch thick slices)
  • 1 cup apple butter
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted and browned
  • 2 Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • sea salt (to taste)

Cinnamon Syrup and Maple Cream

  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon (or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract as alternative)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

  1. Prepare Baking Dish and Bread: Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking. Carefully slice each piece of challah bread in half horizontally, cutting almost all the way through but leaving about 1/4 inch uncut at the bottom. Spread a generous amount of apple butter on the inside surfaces of each bread slice, creating a flavorful filling.
  2. Make Egg Custard and Soak Bread: In a large bowl, whisk together the six eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, cooled melted browned butter, and a pinch of sea salt until combined. Submerge each prepared bread piece into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak deeply for at least one minute to absorb the custard flavors. Arrange the soaked bread slices neatly in the buttered baking dish.
  3. Prepare Apple Filling: In a separate bowl, toss the thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples with brown sugar and cinnamon, ensuring each slice is well coated. Carefully stuff the cinnamon sugar apple slices in between each piece of bread in the baking dish, filling the space fully. Pour any remaining egg custard over the entire dish evenly.
  4. Chill Before Baking: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or preferably overnight. This resting period allows the bread and apple layers to soak up the custard and flavors thoroughly.
  5. Bake the French Toast: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the baking dish from the fridge and cover it with foil. Bake covered for 25 minutes to set the custard. Then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully cooked and bubbly.
  6. Prepare Cinnamon Syrup: In a small pot, combine the maple syrup and cinnamon sticks. Bring the mixture to a simmer and boil gently for about 5 minutes to infuse the cinnamon flavor. Remove from heat, discard the cinnamon sticks, and stir in bourbon or vanilla extract. Set aside to cool slightly.
  7. Make Maple Whipped Cream: Using an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon syrup and a pinch of sea salt until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip.
  8. Serve: Once the French toast is baked, top with the whipped maple cream and drizzle generously with the remaining cinnamon syrup. Enjoy warm for a cozy and indulgent breakfast treat.

Notes

  • For deeper flavor, prepare the dish the night before and refrigerate overnight to allow the custard to fully absorb into the bread and apples.
  • You can substitute bourbon with vanilla extract for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Use whole milk for richest custard flavor, but 2% milk can be used as a lighter alternative.
  • Challah bread is ideal for its soft, slightly sweet texture, but brioche can be used as a substitute.
  • Ensure the bread slices are thick (1 1/2 inch) so they hold the custard without falling apart.
  • Brown the butter until it has a nutty aroma but does not burn, for a richer flavor.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus optional overnight soaking)
  • Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: baked french toast, apple butter french toast, cinnamon french toast, baked breakfast casserole, challah french toast, brunch recipes

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Find it online: https://kitchenwithben.com/baked-cinnamon-apple-butter-french-toast-with-maple-cream-and-cinnamon-syrup-recipe/