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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Slice the French bread into generous 1 to 1½-inch thick segments, creating uniform pieces for even cooking.
- 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.
- 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.
- Optional overnight preparation: Cover the soaked bread with plastic wrap and refrigerate to enhance flavor absorption.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9-inch (23-centimeter) square baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Create a sweet cinnamon topping by mixing brown sugar and additional ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Gently spread softened butter across the surface of each bread slice, then liberally dust with the prepared cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Carefully position the prepared bread slices upright within the greased baking pan, allowing them to nestle closely together.
- Sprinkle any remaining butter or cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top of the assembled dish for extra flavor and caramelization.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the top turns golden brown and the interior becomes thoroughly heated.
- 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