Upside Down Apple French Toast
Elevate your brunch game with this decadent Upside Down Apple French Toast, a show-stopping dish that marries the rich, custardy texture of baked French toast with the irresistible sweetness of caramelized apples. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, thin slices of tart apples are cooked in a buttery brown sugar glaze, creating a luscious layer that crowns the soft, golden brioche or challah base once flipped. This indulgent make-ahead recipe requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor, thanks to a rich custard made from eggs, whole milk, and heavy cream. Ideal for holiday mornings or special gatherings, serve it warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of maple syrup for a breakfast or brunch centerpiece that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Keywords: upside down apple French toast, baked French toast, caramelized apple breakfast recipe, make-ahead brunch dish, holiday breakfast ideas.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 3 large Apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoons Ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 6 slices Day-old brioche or challah bread, cut into 1-inch slices
- 4 Large eggs
- 1.5 cups Whole milk
- 0.5 cups Heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 0.25 teaspoons Salt
- 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar (optional, for garnish)
- as needed Maple syrup (optional, for serving)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray and set aside.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and add the brown sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and starts to bubble, about 2 minutes.
Add the sliced apples to the skillet and stir to coat them in the caramel. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg, then cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened. Stir in the vanilla extract and remove from heat.
Pour the caramelized apple mixture evenly into the greased baking dish, spreading it to create a smooth layer.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Arrange the brioche or challah slices on top of the apple mixture, slightly overlapping if necessary. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread slices, pressing down gently to help the bread soak up the liquid.
Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
Allow the French toast to rest for 5 minutes, then carefully invert the dish onto a large serving platter to reveal the caramelized apple layer on top.
Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve warm with maple syrup on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1633 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 81.5 g | 104% | |
| Saturated Fat | 41.1 g | 206% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 912 mg | 304% | |
| Sodium | 1035 mg | 45% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 208.7 g | 76% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.3 g | 40% | |
| Total Sugars | 171.5 g | ||
| Protein | 38.8 g | 78% | |
| Vitamin D | 8.0 mcg | 40% | |
| Calcium | 682 mg | 52% | |
| Iron | 5.4 mg | 30% | |
| Potassium | 1739 mg | 37% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
