Indulge in the ultimate stress-free breakfast with this exquisite **Baked French Toast Casserole with Apples and Raisins**. Imagine waking up to the aroma of cinnamon-infused bread, tender apples, and sweet raisins, all perfectly baked into a golden, delicious casserole. This easy make-ahead dish is designed for busy mornings or festive gatherings, allowing you to prepare everything the night before and simply bake it fresh when you’re ready to serve. It’s the ideal solution for a delightful breakfast that feels special without any last-minute fuss.
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Apples are a breakfast superstar, adding natural sweetness and a delightful texture to any morning meal. If you love apple-infused breakfasts as much as we do, you’ll also adore this German Apple Pancake and these luscious Apple Pancakes with Caramel Apple Syrup. But for an effortless crowd-pleaser, nothing beats a French toast casserole, especially one brimming with fresh apples and sweet raisins.
Baked French Toast Casserole with Apples and Raisins: Your Ultimate Make-Ahead Breakfast
For many, special occasions, particularly holidays like Christmas, call for a truly memorable breakfast. While we have cherished traditions, like enjoying our German Scones, there’s always room for a delightful addition. This **Baked French Toast Casserole with Apples and Raisins** has become a top contender for our festive morning meals. The sheer convenience of preparing it the night before means less stress and more joyful moments with loved ones in the morning. Beyond its ease, it simply tastes incredible, transforming simple ingredients into a comforting, gourmet-worthy breakfast.
This beloved recipe has graced our blog since 2010, and it was certainly due for a refresh! With the holidays just around the corner, there’s no better time to bring this classic back into the spotlight. It truly is one of the best **Christmas breakfast ideas** out there. While countless French toast casserole recipes exist, this particular version stands out. The combination of cinnamon raisin bread, fresh apple chunks, and plump raisins creates a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional variations. It’s sweet, savory, and incredibly satisfying, making it a perfect dish to share with family and friends.
The beauty of an overnight French toast casserole lies in its ability to soak up all the rich custard goodness, resulting in an incredibly moist and flavorful texture that you just can’t achieve with last-minute French toast. Every bite offers a harmonious blend of soft bread, subtly tart apples, and bursts of sweet raisins, all enveloped in warm cinnamon. It’s more than just a breakfast; it’s a comforting experience that will make any morning feel a little more special. Whether it’s a bustling weekday or a relaxed weekend, this casserole is a testament to how easy and rewarding make-ahead meals can be.
Key Ingredients for a Perfect Apple Raisin French Toast Bake
This **easy overnight French toast casserole** relies on a few simple ingredients to create its fantastic flavor. While the recipe is quite straightforward, here are a few insights and tips to ensure your casserole turns out perfectly every time:
- **Apples:** The recipe calls for 3 apples, and for the best balance of flavor and texture, I highly recommend using a mix of sweet and tart varieties. For example, combining one sweet Gala apple with two crisp Granny Smith apples offers a wonderful contrast. The Granny Smiths hold their shape well during baking and provide a pleasant tartness that cuts through the sweetness of the brown sugar and raisins, while the Gala adds a mellow, sweeter note. Make sure to peel, core, and dice them into substantial chunks so they don’t disintegrate entirely during baking, leaving you with delightful bursts of apple flavor.
- **Cinnamon Raisin Bread:** This is the star bread of our French toast bake. Its inherent sweetness and built-in cinnamon-raisin flavor greatly enhance the overall taste of the casserole. You can usually find a good quality cinnamon raisin bread in the bread aisle of most grocery stores. Sometimes, a local bakery or the in-store bakery section will offer a freshly baked option, which is always a bonus. Day-old bread is actually preferred here, as slightly stale bread absorbs the custard mixture more effectively without becoming soggy.
- **Raisins (Optional):** While raisins are a key component of this recipe, adding pockets of sweetness and chewiness, we understand that not everyone is a fan. If you have “raisin haters” in your family or simply prefer a different flavor, you can absolutely leave them out. In that case, consider using a plain cinnamon swirl bread instead of cinnamon raisin bread to maintain the lovely spiced flavor without the fruit. Alternatively, you could substitute the raisins with other dried fruits like dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or even chocolate chips for a different twist.
- **The Custard:** The rich custard mixture is what transforms ordinary bread into a luxurious French toast. Using whole milk or half-and-half will yield a creamier, more decadent result, but 2% milk works perfectly fine too. Don’t skimp on the vanilla extract – it’s crucial for that classic French toast aroma and flavor. A touch of extra cinnamon in the custard ties all the flavors together beautifully.
- **Brown Sugar & Butter Base:** The melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon mixture at the bottom of the baking dish is what creates that irresistible caramelized crust. This layer is what truly elevates this casserole, ensuring a sweet, sticky bottom that’s just as delicious as the custardy bread on top.
Crafting Your Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole: Step-by-Step Guide
Preparing this **Baked French Toast Casserole** truly makes breakfast a breeze. The majority of the work happens the night before, leaving you with minimal effort on a busy morning. Here’s a detailed guide to creating this delightful make-ahead breakfast:
The Night Before: Effortless Preparation for a Stress-Free Morning
- **Prepare Your Baking Dish:** Start by lightly spraying a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures easy serving, especially with the caramelized bottom layer.
- **Prep the Fruit and Bread:** Begin by peeling, coring, and dicing your apples. Aim for relatively consistent, medium-sized chunks (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch) so they cook evenly. Next, cut your cinnamon raisin bread into cubes. Using day-old bread is ideal, as it’s slightly drier and will absorb the custard more efficiently without becoming mushy.
- **Create the Caramelized Base:** In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon. These spices are key to the comforting, warm flavors of the casserole. Pour in the melted butter and mix well. The butter helps create a rich, bubbly base. Gently fold in the diced apples and raisins, ensuring they are well coated. Spread this delicious mixture evenly across the bottom of your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. This layer will caramelize as it bakes, adding incredible depth of flavor and a slightly sticky, sweet texture.
- **Layer the Bread:** Carefully arrange the bread cubes over the apple and raisin mixture. Try to distribute them as evenly as possible to ensure uniform absorption of the custard.
- **Whisk the Custard:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs until they are lightly beaten. Gradually add the milk, vanilla extract, and the second teaspoon of cinnamon. Whisk until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth. This is your custardy base that will transform the bread.
- **Soak the Bread:** Pour the egg and milk custard evenly over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Now comes a vital step: use a spatula or your clean hands to gently press the bread cubes down into the custard. This ensures that every piece of bread is submerged and has ample opportunity to soak up the liquid overnight. Proper soaking is the secret to a moist, tender French toast casserole.
- **Refrigerate Overnight:** Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator. Let it chill overnight, or for a minimum of 8 hours. This extended refrigeration period allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, developing rich flavors and a wonderfully soft texture.
In the Morning: Bake and Enjoy Your Easy Breakfast Casserole
- **Bring to Room Temperature & Preheat:** Approximately 30 minutes before you plan to bake, remove the casserole dish from the refrigerator. Let it sit on the counter to come closer to room temperature while you preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This helps the casserole bake more evenly.
- **Bake to Perfection:** Place the casserole, still covered with foil, into the preheated oven. Bake for the initial 30 minutes. The foil helps steam the casserole, ensuring the bread remains moist and cooks through. After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the edges are bubbly, and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean (without raw custard).
- **Garnish and Serve:** Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven. If desired, lightly dust with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish and an extra touch of sweetness. Serve warm and watch it disappear!
Achieving French Toast Casserole Perfection: Baking Tips and Doneness
Baking times can vary significantly depending on your specific oven and the type of baking dish you’re using. Knowing how long to bake your **Baked French Toast Casserole** is key to achieving that perfect balance of crispy edges and a soft, custardy interior. Here’s what to look for:
I typically prefer my French toast casserole to be slightly softer and very custardy, so I recommend baking it covered with foil for the initial 30 minutes. This traps steam, ensuring the bread cubes cook through and remain moist, allowing the custard to set gently. After this initial covered period, remove the foil. This is when the magic happens on top – the exposed bread will start to toast, and the edges will develop a beautiful golden-brown color and a slightly crisp texture. Continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until it reaches your desired doneness.
To confirm your casserole is perfectly baked, look for a few indicators:
- **Bubbling Edges:** The custard around the edges of the casserole should be visibly bubbling. This indicates that it’s hot and setting properly.
- **Toasted Top:** The bread cubes on top should be nicely toasted and golden brown, not burnt.
- **Doneness Test:** For absolute certainty, gently insert a knife or a wooden skewer into the center of the casserole. When pulled out, it shouldn’t have any raw, wet custard clinging to it. It might come out slightly moist from the apple and brown sugar mixture at the bottom, which is perfectly fine and desired, as this ensures a tender, not dry, result. The goal is to avoid any uncooked liquid egg mixture.
If you notice the top browning too quickly before the center is cooked, you can lightly tent it with foil during the final baking stage. This prevents over-browning while allowing the inside to finish cooking. Conversely, if you prefer a crispier top, you can bake it uncovered for a bit longer, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning. Remember, a little variation in baking time is normal, so trust your oven and these visual cues to get it just right.
More Festive & Easy Christmas Breakfast Ideas
While this **Baked French Toast Casserole with Apples and Raisins** is a fantastic choice for a holiday breakfast, sometimes it’s nice to have a variety of options. Here are some other delightful **make-ahead breakfast recipes** and festive ideas perfect for Christmas morning or any special occasion:
- **Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole Recipe:** A savory option that’s just as easy to prepare the night before, perfect for balancing out sweet treats.
- **Gingerbread Waffle Recipe with Lemon Sauce:** A festive and flavorful twist on waffles, bringing holiday spices to your table.
- **Overnight French Toast Soufflé:** A lighter, fluffier take on the classic French toast casserole, with an airy texture.
- **Cranberry Cinnamon Rolls:** Homemade cinnamon rolls with a bright, tart cranberry kick – a wonderful indulgence.
- **Salted Caramel Slow Cooker Monkey Bread:** An incredibly easy and impressive sweet bread that cooks itself in the slow cooker!
- **Eggnog Croissant Bread Pudding with Caramel Eggnog Syrup:** Decadent and festive, this bread pudding is pure holiday bliss.
Having a selection of **easy breakfast casseroles** and make-ahead dishes ensures that your holiday mornings are filled with cheer, not kitchen stress!
Essential Tools for This Baked French Toast Casserole
Having the right kitchen tools can make preparing your **overnight French toast bake** even smoother. Here are a couple of items that I find particularly useful for this recipe:
- **Baking Dish:** While a basic 9×13-inch baking dish will certainly get the job done, I often prefer to use a slightly nicer baking dish for holiday mornings. A beautiful dish can elevate the presentation of your French toast casserole, making your festive spread feel even more special.
- **Vegetable Peeler:** The apples need to be peeled and cored before dicing. A good quality peeler makes this task quick and effortless. This is my favorite peeler for its ergonomic design and sharp blade.
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Baked French Toast Casserole with Apples and Raisins
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Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 3 apples peeled, cored and cut into a large dice*
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 pound loaf cinnamon raisin bread cut into cubes
- 6 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Mix in the butter, apples and raisins. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Pour the bread over the apple layer.1 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 cup butter, 3 apples, 1/2 cup raisins, 1 pound loaf cinnamon raisin bread
- Whisk the eggs with the milk, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour the custard over the top of the bread. Using a spatula (or if you don’t mind getting a little messy, you can use your hands), push the bread down to make sure it is all soaked by the custard mixture.6 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate overnight, or 8 hours.
- Remove the pan from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you are ready to bake the casserole. Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Bake the casserole for 30 minutes, covered, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
- If desired, sprinkle the casserole with powdered sugar before serving.