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Caramel Apple Upside Down French Toast Bake

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  • Author: KimEasy
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Caramel Apple Upside Down French Toast Bake is a delicious twist on classic French toast. Soft, custardy bread soaks up a rich caramel sauce and bakes over a layer of tender, cinnamon-spiced apples. Itโ€™s easy to make ahead, perfect for holidays, and absolutely irresistible!


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Caramel Apple Layer:

  • 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the French Toast:

  • 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

  2. Make the Caramel Apple Layer:

    • In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
    • Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Cook for 1-2 minutes until smooth and bubbling.
    • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
    • Pour the caramel mixture into the greased baking dish. Arrange apple slices evenly on top.
  3. Prepare the French Toast Mixture:

    • In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until well combined.
    • Add the cubed bread and gently toss to coat. Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb the mixture.
  4. Assemble & Bake:

    • Evenly spread the soaked bread cubes over the apple layer in the baking dish.
    • Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
  5. Flip & Serve:

    • Let the bake rest for 5 minutes. Place a large serving platter or baking sheet over the dish, then carefully flip to release the caramel apple layer on top.
    • Serve warm with powdered sugar, whipped cream, or maple syrup.

Notes

  • Make-Ahead Option: Assemble everything the night before and refrigerate overnight. Bake in the morning as directed.
  • Apple Choices: Use a mix of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Honeycrisp) apples for the best flavor.
  • Bread Tip: Stale bread works best since it absorbs the custard without getting too soggy.