The Apple Cinnamon Sourdough French Toast Casserole is here to transform your breakfast game, allowing you to serve up a hearty dish that’s as easy as it is flavourful. This recipe is perfect for busy mornings or cozy weekend brunches, ensuring everyone gets their fill of sweet, spiced goodness in one simple bake. Join us as we break down this delectable casserole and share the secrets to perfecting it in your own kitchen.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Prep Ahead for Busy Mornings
This recipe not only simplifies your life but also transforms your mornings into a delightful experience. Get the casserole ready the night before, cover it, and stick it in the fridge. When you rise, all you need to do is pop it in the oven. It’s like having a personal chef who lets you savor a slow cup of coffee while the main event bakes to perfection!
Cozy Fall Flavor
The beautiful symphony of cozy fall flavors in this recipe will take you on a nostalgic journey, similar to crisp autumn days. Imagine the tartness of Granny Smith apples as they cook down with luxurious butter, brown sugar, and a hint of ground cinnamon, creating a heavenly sauce that envelops each ingredient in warmth. When these succulent apple pieces are layered with crusty sourdough cubes and creamy dollops of cream cheese, you can practically taste the season change.
Uses Stale Bread
This recipe brilliantly transforms stale bread into a delightful breakfast option that doesn’t just reduce waste but also elevates your morning routine. Just like my traditional sourdough French toast casserole, this apple version combines the comforting texture of custard-soaked bread with the vibrant sweetness of fresh apples. By cubing the sourdough into bite-sized pieces, you create a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ensuring every bite is a delightful experience.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Custard – Whole milk, heavy cream, and large eggs are used to create the base of the custard.
- Maple Syrup – Love the extra fall sweetness it brings to the dish! I prefer pure maple syrup.
- Cinnamon – Divide the ground cinnamon between the custard and cooked apples.
- Apples – I suggest using Granny Smith Apples, I just love the tartness that they bring to this dish, but you can swap them for other fresh apples like Red Lady or Gala Apples.
- Cream Cheese – If you’ve never tried cream cheese in French Toast Casserole, you are in for a treat! The tangy creaminess goes perfectly with the sweetness of the apple cinnamon French toast casserole.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Sourdough French Toast Casserole
- Add the butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the chopped apples. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the apples are just tender.
- Stir in the brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and cook 1–2 more minutes until the sugar melts.
- Remove from the heat and let the apples cool.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Cube the crusty bread into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. Place the bread cubes in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
- Grease a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place half of the bread cubes into the prepared pan. Top this layer with half of the cinnamon-apple mixture and half of the cubed cream cheese.
- Next, pour the custard mixture into the prepared casserole dish and place it in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the middle is set and the top of the casserole is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup.
How to Store
Store leftover Apple Cinnamon Sourdough French Toast Casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave, heating in 30-second increments until warmed through. For the whole casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F, cover it, and bake for 15–20 minutes until heated through.
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