Cozy Apple Butter French Toast Recipe: A Sweet Morning Treat

Apple butter converts ordinary French toast into a mouthwatering morning delight that tingles taste buds with unexpected warmth.

Soft, pillowy bread meets rich, spiced fruit spread in a culinary dance of comfort and indulgence.

Seasonal ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a breakfast experience that feels both familiar and exciting.

Home cooks can elevate a classic morning staple with minimal effort and maximum flavor impact.

Cinnamon and sweet fruit notes weave through each golden, crispy slice, promising a sensory journey beyond traditional breakfast fare.

Weekend brunch enthusiasts will appreciate this simple yet sophisticated twist on a beloved classic.

Prepare to awaken your breakfast routine with a recipe that delights every single bite.

Helpful Notes for Toast Perfection

• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp serrated knife to cut thick, even slices for consistent texture and even soaking.
• Overnight Soak Magic: Refrigerating the bread overnight allows deeper flavor absorption and creates a more custardy interior.
• Butter Brilliance: Use room temperature butter for easier spreading and more even coating on bread slices.
• Sugar Sprinkle Technique: Ensure an even distribution of cinnamon sugar by using a fine-mesh sieve for a delicate, uniform layer.
• Golden Brown Perfection: Check the French toast around 30 minutes to prevent over-browning and ensure a moist, tender center.

Best Practices for Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled French toast to an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 1 month to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Reheat: Warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or use a toaster oven for crispy edges. Microwave works in a pinch, but might soften the bread's texture. Add a fresh sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before serving to revive the delicious taste.

Drinks and Sides for Apple Butter French Toast

• Brew Perfect Coffee Companions: Pair this rich French toast with a smooth medium-roast coffee that complements the apple butter's warm spices, cutting through the sweet richness and enhancing the cinnamon notes.
• Select Sweet Wine Sidekick: Serve alongside a late harvest Riesling or moscato, whose honeyed sweetness will echo the molasses and apple butter, creating a delightful dessert-like breakfast experience.
• Craft Complementary Fruit Plate: Arrange fresh sliced pears, toasted pecans, and a dollop of whipped cream on the side, adding textural contrast and highlighting the apple butter's fruity undertones while providing a fresh balance to the decadent toast.
• Create Maple Drizzle Magic: Upgrade the syrup by mixing pure maple syrup with a splash of bourbon and a pinch of cinnamon, amplifying the existing warm spice profile and adding depth to the overall flavor experience.

Versions to Switch Things Up

• Pumpkin Spice French Toast: Replace apple butter with pumpkin puree and add extra pumpkin pie spice for a cozy autumn breakfast.
• Nutty Banana Bread Bake: Swap apple butter for mashed ripe bananas and sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans on top before baking for extra crunch.
• Berry Cream Cheese Version: Mix cream cheese with raspberry or blueberry preserves instead of apple butter, creating a tangy and sweet breakfast casserole that's rich and indulgent.
• Caramel Pecan Transformation: Drizzle caramel sauce over the bread and scatter toasted pecans before baking, enhancing the sweet and nutty flavor profile of the classic recipe.

Why You’ll Crave Apple Butter French Toast

• Simplify Breakfast Prep: This recipe allows you to prep the French toast the night before, making morning cooking a breeze and saving precious time during busy mornings.
• Elevate Comfort with Apple Butter: The addition of apple butter transforms classic French toast into a more sophisticated, flavor-packed breakfast that brings warmth and depth to every bite.
• Bake Instead of Fry: By using an oven-baked method, you'll create a healthier version of French toast that's less greasy, more evenly cooked, and requires less hands-on cooking compared to traditional stovetop techniques.
• Cozy Seasonal Comfort: The combination of cinnamon, molasses, and apple butter creates a quintessential fall-inspired breakfast that feels like a warm hug on a cool morning, perfect for weekend gatherings or special occasions.

Items Required for Apple Butter French Toast

• Bread Loaf: Thick-cut bread perfect for soaking up rich, spiced custard mixture.

• Eggs, Milk: Creamy base for the French toast custard that provides rich texture and binding.
• Apple Butter: Adds deep, concentrated apple flavor and natural sweetness to the dish.
• Melted Butter: Provides richness and helps create a golden, crispy exterior.
• Molasses: Introduces deep, complex sweetness and dark caramel undertones.

• Brown Sugar, Cinnamon: Classic warming spice blend that creates a caramelized, sweet crust.
• Butter: Additional fat for spreading on bread to ensure crispy, golden edges.

• Syrup: Optional accompaniment for added sweetness and moisture.

Cooking Instructions for Apple Butter French Toast

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

Slice the loaf into 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick pieces and set aside.

Step 2: Create the Flavor-Packed Mixture

• Eggs
• Milk
• Apple butter
• Melted butter
• Molasses
• Cinnamon

Stir until all ingredients are well combined.

Step 3: Coat the Bread

Dip each bread slice into the egg mixture, making sure both sides are completely covered. Transfer the slices to a cookie sheet and pour any remaining mixture over the top.

Step 4: Chill (Optional)

Cover the bread with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to enhance flavors.

Step 5: Prepare the Topping

• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon

Step 6: Assemble the Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.

Spread butter over the bread slices, then generously sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture.

Arrange the bread slices standing upright in the prepared pan.

If any extra butter or sugar mixture remains, sprinkle it over the top.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 35-40 minutes until the casserole is heated through and turns a beautiful golden brown on top.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Serve piping hot with your favorite syrup and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Apple Butter French Toast Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Indulgent Apple Butter French Toast brings comfort from heartwarming kitchen traditions. Spiced butter-glazed bread layered with rich apple compote offers a delightful morning experience you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 14 ounces (400 grams) French bread
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk

Spices and Flavorings:

• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) apple butter
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons molasses

Butter and Coating:

• 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Slice the French bread into generous 1 to 1½-inch thick segments, creating uniform pieces for even cooking.
2. Whisk together eggs, whole milk (240 milliliters), apple butter, melted unsalted butter, rich molasses, and ground cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
3. Immerse each bread slice completely in the egg mixture, ensuring thorough saturation on both sides. Transfer the coated slices onto a clean cookie sheet, drizzling any remaining liquid over the bread.
4. Optional overnight preparation: Cover the soaked bread with plastic wrap and refrigerate to enhance flavor absorption.
5. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9-inch (23-centimeter) square baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
6. Create a sweet cinnamon topping by mixing brown sugar and additional ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
7. Gently spread softened butter across the surface of each bread slice, then liberally dust with the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture.
8. Carefully position the prepared bread slices upright within the greased baking pan, allowing them to nestle closely together.
9. Sprinkle any remaining butter or cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top of the assembled dish for extra flavor and caramelization.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the top turns golden brown and the interior becomes thoroughly heated.
11. Serve immediately while piping hot, accompanied by maple syrup or your preferred sweet drizzle.

Notes

• Prep ahead by soaking bread overnight to enhance flavor absorption and create a more tender, custardy texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better integration of egg mixture.
• Choose thick, sturdy bread like brioche or challah to prevent soggy, falling-apart French toast.
• Brown sugar and cinnamon topping creates a delightful caramelized crust that elevates the classic breakfast dish.
• Refrigerating before baking allows flavors to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
• Customize with optional toppings like chopped nuts, fresh apples, or whipped cream for added texture and visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 476 kcal
• Sugar: 29 g
• Sodium: 406 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 67 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 13 g
• Cholesterol: 167 mg