Croissant Baked French Toast with Cinnamon Apples is the tastiest and easiest recipe to serve at your next brunch, special breakfast, or for Christmas Morning. Don’t miss this incredible make-ahead recipe!
If you’re looking for something really special to serve at your next brunch or for Christmas Morning, you can’t beat this incredibly delicious and easy Croissant Baked French Toast with Cinnamon Apples. Moreover, the entire dish can be assembled ahead of time and baked the morning of to give you a stress-free and tasty breakfast casserole that everyone will love.
This Croissant Baked French Toast is truly special enough to serve on the most sacred occasions, like Christmas Morning. Put together the night before and don’t miss a minute of the gift opening and family time while this dish bakes in the oven.
Adding the cinnamon apples really elevates the flavors of this dish giving it that warming apple pie flavor. The croissants take it to an almost bread pudding level, without being too mushy. Looking for a great pan to bake this in? Try this gorgeous Corning Ware “French White” Oval Casserole Baking Dish – truly stunning way to present your casseroles.
You would think a dish like this would take forever to make, but the assembly is really quite simple. And you don’t need to spend a lot of money on it either. A couple days old croissants work great and you can get them at your grocery store for a discount.
How to Make Croissant Baked French Toast with Cinnamon Apples
This dish couldn’t be easier to make. Firstly, start with a large skillet over medium heat and add a stick of butter and four peeled, cored, and diced apples. Any type of apples work here! Cook to soften, about five minutes.
Add in brown sugar and cinnamon and cook another eight to ten minutes.
Next, pour the apples into a 9 x 13 baking dish or casserole dish.
Then, add cubed croissants overtop of apples. (You could substitute French bread or challah bread if you wanted.)
Lastly, make the custard by whisking together eggs, half and half, and vanilla. Pour over the croissants, pushing down lightly to make sure it is absorbed.
Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees and cook, uncovered, for 35-45 minutes or until lightly browned and custard is set.
Let sit five minutes before serving.
Be sure to serve with warm maple syrup. Enjoy!
More Overnight Breakfast Casseroles:
- Sausage Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole is a savory and delicious overnight breakfast bake.
- Overnight Bagel French Toast is another perfect recipe for the holidays.
- Eggs Benedict Casserole with Hollandaise Sauce is an easy way to satisfy those Eggs Benedict cravings!
Croissant Baked French Toast with Cinnamon Apples
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick)
- 4 apples peeled, cored, and diced any types of apples work
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 6 croissants, cut into 2 inch pieces
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- maple syrup for serving optional
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and add in butter and apples. Cook for five minutes to soften. Add in the brown sugar and cinnamon and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring often. Pour apple mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking pan or casserole dish. Add the cubed croissants on top of the apples.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, vanilla, and salt. Pour the custard mixture over the croissants and push down gently to make sure that all pieces are dampened. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake French toast casserole uncovered for 35-45 minutes or until lightly browned and set. Serve with maple syrup.
Notes
The apples are on the the bottom of this recipe and shown with the apples on top??
Yes. When I serve it, I take a scoop and flip it on to the plate apple side up. Hope you love it. Merry Christmas!