Make Ahead

Overnight Apple-Cinnamon French Toast

by:
May 21, 2010
4.3
9 Ratings
Overnight Apple-Cinnamon French Toast
Photo by Mark Weinberg
  • Serves 8 to 10
Author Notes

Please believe the ingredients: This recipe calls for skim milk and the most inexpensive supermarket Italian-ish loaf of bread you can find, and the results are spectacular! It puffs up beautifully in the oven and tastes absolutely wonderful. I've also halved it for a breakfast for 4 and we devoured it. I first tasted this at my friend Shelley's home, and she uses more cinnamon and sugar than I do, so feel free to adjust as desired. —Sandy

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 pound loaf inexpensive supermarket French or Italian bread
  • 8 large or extra large eggs, slightly beaten
  • 3 1/2 cups skim milk
  • 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 5 to 6 apples, sliced thin (I like Golden Delicious)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon butter (salted is fine), chopped
Directions
  1. Grease a 9-by 13-inch pan with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Cut the bread into 1 1/2-inch slices and pack them tightly into the prepared pan in one layer.
  3. In a large bowl, stir together eggs, milk, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla. Pour half of this egg mixture over the bread slices.
  4. Distribute the apple slices over the bread, and top with the remaining egg mixture.
  5. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon and sprinkle this mixture evenly over everything in the pan. Dot with butter.
  6. Cover the whole thing and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
  7. The next day, or when ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350° F. Uncover the pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Let stand for about 10 minutes, then cut into squares and serve warm (with maple syrup if you'd like) and enjoy!
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10 Reviews

Kittie M.
Kittie M. August 24, 2024
Made this for the first time today. Very tasty and everyone like it a lot. I used the golden delicious apples but would choose something else next time so there would be less crunch (these were crunchy, even after slicing thin). Also, wondered if my apples were too large. I used 6 but the layer of apples was very thick. Wonder how it would be if you did a layer of apples under the bread?? Or perhaps layer bread and apples As it was, I could barely get my bread in one layer in the prescribed size pan, so layering might work better. I felt the dish was very "eggy" forward, too, of which I'm not a fan; would have preferred it to be a little dryer. Finally, do you know if this fares well if frozen after it's baked?
 
jpriddy
jpriddy October 6, 2022
This is pretty much my bread pudding recipe, though in fall I use chopped fresh cranberries and grated orange rind / raisins or dried cherries the rest of the year. Love the idea of an apple topping!
 
martha B.
martha B. June 2, 2022
Great recipe - i made it for a breakfast party for graduating high school seniors - a big hit! I'm going to experiment with making this recipe in muffin tins for next time, it could be easier for serving/portions.
 
Emilie R.
Emilie R. September 24, 2021
This is just bread pudding - it's not French toast in any way, shape or form. Sounds like a good, basic bread pudding, though. Add some chopped pecans and some bourbon or dark rum to the maple syrup, top with whipped cream and you have desert!
 
jpriddy
jpriddy October 6, 2022
Great suggestions for serving, though bread pudding is generally better than "just" imo.
 
s.reames574@gmail.com
[email protected] May 22, 2020
This was absolutely amazing!!
 
CatherineTornow
CatherineTornow June 3, 2010
What a perfect dish for entertaining! Easy to assemble the night before, and makes the entire house smell like apple pie in the morning. The fact that it’s baked means all the pieces are ready at once. No more serving half the table, while the other half waits not-so-patiently for their breakfast. I would recommend slicing bread no more than 1 inch thick, to help avoid sogginess.
 
drbabs
drbabs May 21, 2010
I love this, too. It seems perfect for when you have overnight guests and need something that isn't too labor-intensive in the morning for breakfast.
 
AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames May 21, 2010
And who doesn't love warm apples and cinnamon first thing in the morning?? I like how this is not too heavy, and seems not too sweet. I've always been a big fan of the cheap supermarket Italian bread for French toast. It's about the only bread I ever buy, and only for this purpose. ;o)
 
AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames May 21, 2010
Great recipe! I do believe the ingredients, and like them. This looks light yet flavorful . . . .and scrumptious. Very, very nice. ;o)