Apple Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast

Easy make-ahead breakfast filled with apples, warm fall spices, and an irresistible pecan maple streusel and apple raisin sauce.

Note: This recipe dish needs to be refrigerated overnight.

Why We Love This Recipe

• Flavors: The combination of cinnamon, apples, and French toast creates a cozy feel with all the fall flavors.
• Sweet and Savory Balance: The sweetness of the apples and cinnamon pairs perfectly with the savory richness of the French toast.
• Texture: Baked French toast is crisp on top and soft and custardy on the inside
• Ease of Preparation: This recipe is easy to prep and make-head.

Ingredients

French Toast Ingredients

• 1 loaf of cinnamon raisin bread
• 8 eggs
• 3 apples
• 2-1/2 cups milk or half and half
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• Dash or salt

Pecan Streusel Topping

• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup melted butter
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Dash of salt

Maple Apple Raisin Sauce

• 2 apples
• ¼ cup raisins
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Let’s Make Apple Cinnamon Raisin Baked French Toast

French Toast Preparation

1. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Peel and dice 2 of the apples.
3. Cut bread pieces.
4. Beat eggs and milk in a large bowl.
5. Whisk in sugars, vanilla, and cinnamon.
6. Layer bread and apple into the prepared baking dish.
7. Pour egg mixture over bread and apples.
8. Press down with a spatula to ensure the bread is soaked in the egg mixture.
9. Cover with foil and place in the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight.

Pecan Streusel Topping

1. Add all ingredients into a bowl and use a fork to mix.

Maple Apple Raisin Sauce

1. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Peel and dice 2 of the apples.
3. Cut bread pieces.
4. Beat eggs and milk in a large bowl.
5. Whisk in sugars, vanilla, and cinnamon.
6. Layer bread and apple into the prepared baking dish.
7. Pour egg mixture over bread and apples.
8. Press down with a spatula to ensure the bread is soaked in the egg mixture.
9. Cover with foil and place in the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight.

To Bake

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
3. Bake the casserole, covered with alumni foil for 30 minutes.
4. Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes.
5.  Top it with the streusel mixture.
6. Bake for another 10 minutes.
7. Serve it with the apple maple mixture drizzled on top.

Krazy Kitchen Mom Tips

• Other bread choices: Use sturdy, slightly stale bread like challah, brioche, or French bread. These types absorb the custard mixture well and hold up during baking. If using fresh bread, let it sit out for a few hours or lightly toast it to help it soak up the custard better.

• Prep Fresh Bread: If using fresh bread, like cinnamon raisin or white bread, preheat the oven to 300°. Place the bread on a wire rack and then on a baking sheet. Bake for 6 minutes, flip over and bake for another 6 minutes. Allow to cool at room temperature.

• Make ahead – The Apple Raisin Maple Sauce and the Pecan Maple Streusel can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator overnight. Heat the Apple Raisin Maple Sauce before serving.