Pumpkin French Toast Casserole With Spiced Apples (Overnight)
Make Christmas breakfast a little easier with this Pumpkin French Toast Casserole. It uses thick slices of buttery brioche bread that are soaked in a pumpkin custard and topped with spiced apples. It’s perfect for a Friendsgiving, holiday brunch, or whenever you want cozy fall flavors for breakfast.
Original Post: November 2022 | Post Updated: September 2026
I wanted a breakfast casserole that had a holiday touch with pumpkin since my family really loves breakfast casseroles. Adding the apples is a nice addition and complements the pumpkin. Though I thought the pumpkin was subtle- my daughter says , “No mom- I taste the pumpkin, they’re just like your Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls but different!”
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Why this Pumpkin Pie French Toast Casserole works
- Make ahead breakfast. All you have to do is assemble the night before and bake off the next morning.
- Made for sharing. Just like my Nutella Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Coffee Cake, Apple Pumpkin Bread, French Toast Without Vanilla, French Toast Kebabs and Whole Wheat French Toast, this French Toast Pumpkin Casserole is made for a crowd and perfect for holiday brunches.
- Cozy fall flavors. Just like these Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, the brioche is soaked in a pumpkin custard and topped with spiced apple.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Brioche bread. It’s what makes this pumpkin french toast recipe what it is! Brioche is good for its sweetness and texture. Any firm, stale bread or crusty bread works as well like ciabatta.
- Milk. Milk is used to balance out the heavy cream. I like to use 2% but whole milk works too.
- Heavy cream.
- Eggs.
- Pumpkin puree.
- Maple syrup. This is used to sweeten the apples and also as a garnish for the french toast casserole.
- Vanilla extract.
- Cooking spray.
- Unsalted butter.
- Apples.
- Spices: This is a pumpkin pie spice inspired link up of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and allspice.
How to make Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
Step One: Prepare the Spiced Apples: In a large pan, heat on medium to low, add the butter. When the butter is melted, add the apples along with the spices. Turn the heat down to low and let it cook for 5 minutes. Add the 4 teaspoons of maple syrup. Continue to cook for 3 more minutes then remove from the heat. Set aside.
Step Two: Cut the bread: Slice the brioche bread into 1 inch bread cubes. Spray the baking dish with the cooking spray. Then place the cubed bread into the pan.
Step Three: Prepare the wet ingredients: In a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a whisk on medium speed, add the milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, canned pumpkin, vanilla, and the eggs- one at a time. Mix until combined.
Step Four: Add mixture to the bread: Pour the mixture over the top of the bread ensuring the bread is coated. Then evenly spoon the spiced apple mixture over the top. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in the fridge for 4 hours to overnight.
Step Five: Bake off the next morning: Preheat the oven to 375 degree F. Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit out for about 30 minutes. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until it is set in the middle and golden brown on top. Let cool once done before serving and garnish with powdered sugar if desired.
Storing leftovers
Store in airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for about 90 seconds.
Helpful tips for this Pumpkin French Toast Casserole recipe
- Let the pumpkin brioche french toast casserole rest after baking for at least 10 minutes before cutting into.
- Allow the casserole to soak at least 4 hours to overnight. That way the bread can evenly absorb the custard.
- Use thick bread or stale brioche. Pro tip: Put the brioche in the fridge for a couple of days if its super soft. You can also cube the bread and let it sit out for awhile before assembling.
Serving suggestions
Serve this easy Pumpkin French Toast Casserole with a dollop of greek yogurt, caramel sauce, fresh whipped cream, berries or maple syrup.
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Pumpkin French Toast Casserole With Spiced Apples (Overnight)
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Equipment
- 13 x 9 baking dish
Ingredients
- 8 cups brioche bread or any firm bread, cut into bread cubes
- 1 cups milk
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin canned pumpkin
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- cooking spray
Spiced Apples
- 2 large green apples peeled, medium diced
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 4 teaspoons maple syrup
Instructions
- For the Spiced Apples:In a large pan, heat on medium/low, add the butter. When the butter is melted, add the apples along with the spices. Turn the heat down to low and let it cook for 5 minutes. Add the 4 teaspoons of maple syrup. Continue to cook for 3 more minutes then remove from the heat. Set aside.
- Slice the bread into 1 inch bread cubes. Spray the baking pan with the cooking spray. Then place the bread into the pan.
- In a stand mixer on medium speed, add the milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, canned pumpkin, vanilla, and the eggs- one at a time. Mix until combined.
- Pour the mixture over bread. Evenly spoon the spiced apple mixture over the top.
- Cover and place in the fridge overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375 F. Remove the casserole from the fridge and let it sit out for about 30 minutes .
- Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until it is set. Let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
- Let the pumpkin brioche french toast casserole rest after baking for at least 10 minutes before cutting into.
- Allow the casserole to soak at least 4 hours to overnight. That way the bread can evenly absorb the custard.
- Use thick bread or stale brioche. Pro tip: Put the brioche in the fridge for a couple of days if its super soft. You can also cube the bread and let it sit out for a while before assembling.
Nutrition
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