Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my absolute favorite breakfast treat: the *overnight cinnamon apple baked french toast casserole*! This dish is like a warm hug on a chilly morning. Imagine waking up to the sweet aroma of cinnamon and apples wafting through your kitchen—it’s a game changer! The best part? You can prep it the night before, so all you have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven while you sip your coffee and enjoy the anticipation. Trust me, this casserole is not just a breakfast; it’s an experience that brings everyone together around the table. Whether it’s a weekend brunch or a holiday gathering, this dish is sure to impress—and it’s so easy to make! Let’s dive into the details so you can whip this up for your loved ones!
Ingredients for Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making this delicious casserole. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 loaf of French bread, cubed – This is the base of your casserole, and I love using a crusty baguette for that perfect texture!
- 4 apples, peeled and diced – Choose your favorite variety! I like a mix of sweet and tart, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, for a flavor explosion.
- 6 large eggs – These will make everything rich and custardy.
- 2 cups milk – Whole milk is great for creaminess, but feel free to use what you have on hand.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar – The dark kind adds a lovely depth of flavor, but light brown works too!
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Trust me, don’t skip this! It enhances the overall flavor.
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon – This is where the magic happens! You’ll want to sprinkle it generously.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- 1/4 cup butter, melted – Because everything’s better with butter, right?
Make sure to have everything prepped and ready to go, and you’ll be on your way to breakfast bliss in no time!
How to Prepare Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole
Prepping the Mixture
Let’s get started on this delicious journey! First, grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the 6 large eggs, 2 cups of milk, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk it until everything is well combined and frothy, which should take just a minute or two. This is where the magic begins, and oh boy, the smell is divine! Now, gently fold in the cubed French bread and the diced apples. Make sure every piece of bread is coated in that heavenly mixture. You want to give the bread a little time to soak up all that goodness, so let it sit for about 10 minutes while you prepare your dish.
Assembling the Casserole
Now it’s time to transfer this wonderful mixture into a greased baking dish. I usually use a 9×13 inch dish, but any similar size will work just fine. Pour the mixture in and spread it out evenly. And here’s my favorite part: drizzle that 1/4 cup of melted butter over the top. It adds a golden, crispy finish that you won’t want to miss! Once everything is in place, cover the dish with plastic wrap, and pop it into the refrigerator overnight. This step is crucial because it allows the flavors to meld and the bread to absorb all that delicious custard.
Baking Instructions
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before popping it in the oven. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until it’s beautifully golden brown on top and a little puffed up. Keep an eye on it towards the end; you want that perfect balance of soft and slightly crispy. Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes. Trust me, the wait will be worth it when you take that first bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s incredibly easy to prepare—just mix, refrigerate, and bake!
- The combination of cinnamon and apples creates a cozy, comforting flavor that everyone loves.
- Perfect for breakfast gatherings or holiday brunches, it serves a crowd effortlessly.
- Make-ahead convenience means you can enjoy a stress-free morning.
- Customizable with your favorite fruits or toppings for endless variations.
Tips for Success with Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole
To make sure your *overnight cinnamon apple baked french toast casserole* turns out perfectly, here are some of my favorite tips! First, don’t rush the soaking process—letting the bread sit in the egg mixture for at least 10 minutes is crucial for that custardy texture we all love. If you want an even richer flavor, consider using challah or brioche instead of French bread; they soak up the custard beautifully!
Also, be mindful of your oven’s temperature—ovens can vary, so keep an eye on the casserole as it bakes. If it starts to brown too quickly, you can lightly cover it with foil. And finally, for that extra special touch, serve it with a drizzle of warm maple syrup or a sprinkle of powdered sugar right before serving. You’ll impress everyone at the table!
Nutritional Information for Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole
Curious about what’s in this delicious dish? Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for one slice of the overnight cinnamon apple baked french toast casserole:
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sodium: 300mg
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Sugar: 20g
- Protein: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use. Enjoy this delightful breakfast treat guilt-free!
FAQ Section
Can I use gluten-free bread for the overnight cinnamon apple baked french toast casserole?
Absolutely! Just make sure to choose a gluten-free bread that you love, and it’ll work beautifully in this recipe.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat in the oven or microwave before enjoying!
Can I add other fruits?
Yes! Feel free to mix in berries, peaches, or even bananas for a fun twist. Just remember, adjust the sweetness if you use very sweet fruits.
Is it necessary to refrigerate overnight?
While it’s best to let it chill overnight to soak up all the flavors, you can refrigerate it for at least 2 hours if you’re short on time.
Can I freeze the casserole?
You can! Just bake it, let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly and freeze for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing leftovers of your *overnight cinnamon apple baked french toast casserole* is super easy! Just let it cool completely after baking, then transfer any uneaten portions to an airtight container. You can keep it in the refrigerator for about 3 days. If you want to enjoy it later, you can also freeze it! Just wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. It’ll stay good for up to a month!
When it’s time to enjoy your leftovers, you can reheat them straight from the fridge or freezer. For refrigerated slices, pop them in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds until warmed through. If you’re reheating frozen slices, let them thaw in the fridge overnight first, then warm them up in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. This way, you’ll get that lovely crispy top again, just like when it was fresh out of the oven!
Z nadrukami
Overnight Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole Bliss
- Całkowity Czas: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Ustępować: 8 servings 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
A delicious overnight cinnamon apple baked french toast casserole perfect for breakfast.
Składniki
- 1 loaf of French bread, cubed
- 4 apples, peeled and diced
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the cubed French bread and diced apples to the mixture. Stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Drizzle melted butter over the top.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until golden brown.
- Let it cool slightly before serving.
Uwagi
- Serve with maple syrup.
- Can be made with other fruits like berries or peaches.
- Best enjoyed warm.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 50 minutes
- Kategoria: Breakfast
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 slice
- Kalorie: 350
- Cukier: 20g
- Sód: 300mg
- Kwasy: 15g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 8g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 4g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 45g
- Włókno: 2g
- Białko: 8g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Słowa kluczowe: overnight cinnamon apple baked french toast casserole
