Spiced Apple Overnight French Toast Recipe

Are you starting to think about recipes for holiday entertaining? This time of year always puts me in the mood for comfort foods and special recipes to celebrate the season. My Spiced Apple Overnight French Toast fits perfectly in both of these categories.  

Fall is my favorite time of year with the changing colors of the leaves and cooler air. It is also when my refrigerator becomes full of apples. I always have a variety as some are perfect for eating (Honey Crisp!) and others are great for baking. This recipe uses Granny Smith as they are tart and remain firm even after baking. With the richness of the custard, these work the best in this dish.   

For the main ingredient, the bread, I like the density and sweetness of challah. If you can’t find this, try brioche. You will want to cut the bread into thick slices to absorb the custard. This will help the french toast maintain its shape too as it won’t disintegrate from the liquid. 

Making the custard:

French Toast Recipe Tips

When you are ready to arrange the bread slices, shingling them in a 9 x 13 cake pan helps to absorb the milk while letting the edges get crispy when baking. I press the bread down in the custard to make sure the top portion of the bread has flavor too. You can even use a baster before it goes in the oven and even afterwards to make sure the top is immersed in milky cinnamon goodness. 

 

The Spiced Apple Topping

Mixing brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, maple syrup and apples together in a pan over low heat brings the goodness together in a burst of flavor. Add the chopped pecans and slowly warm. Pour over top of bread and custard and bake. 

Apples added!

Spiced Apple French Toast out of the oven:

When to enjoy

There are many reasons to love this recipe. The first, of course, is that it is so delicious. The baked apples, cinnamon and pecans all integrate beautifully with the challah. It works for a main course brunch dish, a side with an egg dish like this Roasted Vegetable Frittata, is able to be frozen and reheated when needed and best of all, can be made fresh the day before you want to serve it, just needing to be baked the morning of your meal. If apples aren’t your favorite, try cherries, dried fruit or any that you prefer. Don’t want nuts, leave them out.  It is a very adaptable recipe. 

Make your friend’s day by treating her to a pan of this French toast. All she needs to do is bake it! Hope you enjoy this delicious Spiced Apple Overnight French Toast with your family and friends.