I came across this idea by accident. My family and I were talking about Christmas food we definitely want this year (we want everything apparently) and I recalled how every Christmas morning we would wake up to either pancakes, waffles or french toast. Basically anything that could be slathered with maple syrup. This year I wanted to make something special yet equally quick and simple. So this Apple French Toast Bake was born!

Imagine waking up to the scent of apples, cinnamon and the faint trace of vanilla. With hot chocolate in hand, you sit down. Grab a slice of this Apple French Toast Bake still warm from the oven. Generously, you drizzle on some drippy maple syrup and take a bite. At first, you crash into the toasty outer layer of burnished brioche then you sink in deeper finding the soft creamy bread. Somehow, as the piece quickly disappears, the layer of cinnamon apple comes through. Juicy, tart and spicy all at once. It’s decided, you mumble to yourself, you’re getting seconds.

At least that’s what I like to think will go through my sleepy head when I eat this. Either way this is way too good to pass up. Not to mention, fuss-free plus foolproof. Even my mom who doesn’t usually bake can whip this up in a cinch.

Just A Few Tips

• You want to use a type of bread that is spongy yet has integrity (you don’t want a bread that will fall apart when you soak it). The best breads to use are brioche, challah and baguette. I like to use pandesal too. Just make sure to always use stale bread so it can soak up all the custardy goodness.
• If you’re vegan you can use this vegan brioche bread.
• If you don’t have flaxseed on hand, you can sub with an extra ½ tbsp of cornstarch.
• Switch up the flavors in this Christmas Morning Apple French Toast Bake by:
  – switching out the apples for other fruits (pears, bananas and berries work well)
  – adding different nuts, seeds or dried fruit
  – adding chocolate chunks
  – serving with peanut butter, chocolate hazelnut spread or other nut butters
• Do aheads: Pre-cut the bread the night before and keep in a ziploc/tupperware. Prepare the custard excluding the cornstarch and flaxseed then add in when you’re about to do the bread soak.

Print Recipe

Christmas Morning Apple French Toast Bake

A quick apple french toast bake made with toasty fluffy brioche, creamy custard and cinnamon butter apples

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Dairy Free, Easy, Holiday Recipes

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 330kcal

Ingredients

• 1 loaf (750 g/1.6 lbs) brioche bread stale
• 600 mL (2½ cups) plant based milk i used soy
• 60 g (½ cup) coconut sugar
• 1½ tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2½ tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp flaxseed
• ¼ tsp salt

Apple Topping

• 2 large granny smith/red delicious apples* (3 apples if they are small)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp vegan butter melted
• ¼ tsp cinnamon

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and lightly grease an 8×8" pan. Set aside.
• In a large bowl (or big measuring cup), whisk together the milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, cornstarch, flaxseed and salt. Set aside for 3-5 minutes to slightly thicken.
• Meanwhile, cut your bread into 1" cubes then add into the custard mix to soak for 5 minutes. Stirring occasionally to make sure everything is equally soaked.
• Meanwhile, chop the apples into ¼" thick slices then add in the lemon juice and cinnamon, tossing together lightly.
• Transfer the bread with all of the custard into the prepared pan, evening it out with a spoon/spatula to form a flat base. Fan out the sliced apples over the bread to create a pattern then brush the surface with butter. Bake for 30 minutes or until apples are tender and the bread peaking out has crisped up slightly. Let cool for 5 minutes and serve warm with maple syrup.

Notes

*Feel free to mix and match a variety of apples. I like to use granny smith because of their tart flavor but red apples are great as well and sweeter. 

*I don’t peel the apples because I like the texture and the added color from the skin but if that’s not you, feel free to peel them.

*You can substitute the coconut sugar for another sugar. Liquid sweeteners like maple syrup and agave work well too. Just remember to adjust accordingly since some sugars are sweeter than others.

*This freezes up well. Once cool, slice into individual portions, wrap each piece and place in the freezer. Every time a craving strikes, defrost for 10-15 minutes then pop in a toaster to warm. 

Recipe adapted from Where You Get Your Protein 

Making this recipe?

Share how it turned out @unit1404 and hashtag it #unit1404!

Some items you might need

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases meaning if you use a link to buy something, I may get a commission. All opinions are my own and I only recommend products that I would buy/use myself. Thank you so much!