Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole with Pumpkin
Get ready to enjoy a comforting and cozy breakfast. My Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole with Pumpkin is the perfect recipe for Christmas morning or any holiday brunch! It’s easy, warm and delicious!
This baked french toast casserole has thick slices of bread soaked in aromatic autumn flavors like cinnamon and pumpkin along with a sweet apple mixture.
Why this recipe works
1. This hearty breakfast casserole is a great way to start your day.
2. An apple french toast bake is a delicious breakfast for the whole family.
3. This is a great option for an easy brunch dish!
Try these other brunch menu ideas: Delicious Classic French Toast Without Vanilla and Easy Crustless Zucchini Quiche with Goat Cheese .
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Ingredients
- Ciabatta bread. I use homemade bread for this recipe. Any firm, stale bread or crusty bread works.
- Milk. Milk is used to balance out the heavy cream. I like to use 2%. Whole milk can be used,
- 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.
- Granny smith apples. Tart apples are the best for making any type of apple pie mixture. Gala apples will work as well.
- Unsalted butter.
- Spices: ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom and allspice.
Helpful tips for this Apple French Toast Casserole recipe
Use a thick and sturdy white bread such as French bread or brioche bread. I make mine with a homemade ciabatta. The best bread should have a super thick crust and be more absorbent in the middle. I recommend fresh loaf of bread from a baker versus using something like basic sandwich bread which is pretty fragile. Any leftover bread is great for an easy breakfast casserole.
- You can leave the apples out and use other comforting flavors such as a crumb topping or a cinnamon streusel.
- Use a casserole dish or a large skillet that is oven safe.
- If you would like to omit the pumpkin- you can replace it with a 1/2 cup heavy cream or add additional milk, nut pods or half and half. If you want a gluten free casserole, I suggest using the gluten free bread from Trader Joe’s as it’s more dense.
Serving suggestions and alternatives
This casserole is pretty filling if you would like to serve it as is. However a nice thing about casseroles is that they are large servings and perfect for parties! Here are some side dish suggestions:
- Scrambled Eggs
- Eggs Benedict
- Frittata
- Bacon
- Spiral Ham
- Fresh Fruit
- Quiches
And we can’t forget the toppings! Drizzling a caramel sauce or maple syrup on top helps balance it out because this casserole isn’t that sweet by itself.
Storing leftovers
Store in airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for about 90 seconds.
Recipe inspiration for this baked french toast recipe
I wanted to create a good breakfast casserole for the holidays (or any time of year). This apple overnight french toast casserole is the best of both worlds with baked apple and warm pumpkin flavors.
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!” LOL
What Side Dishes Should I Serve with Apple Spiced French Toast Casserole
This casserole is pretty filling if you would like to serve it as is. However a nice thing about casseroles is that they are large servings and perfect for parties! Here are some side dish suggestions:
- Scrambled Eggs
- Eggs Benedict
- Frittata
- Bacon
- Spiral Ham
- Fresh Fruit
- Mini Quiches
And we can’t forget the toppings! Drizzling Maple Syrup on top helps balance it out because this casserole isn’t that sweet by itself.
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Overnight Apple French Toast Casserole with Pumpkin
Equipment
- 13 x 9 baking dish
Ingredients
- 10 cups ciabatta bread or any firm bread, cut into bread cubes
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 8 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin canned pumpkin
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- cooking spray
Spiced Apples
- 2 large green apples peeled, medium diced
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 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. 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.
- Garnish with powdered sugar and enjoy!
