There’s something magical about holiday mornings—the smell of cinnamon in the air, the chatter of family in the kitchen, and the joy of a warm, comforting dish that brings everyone together. That’s why my cozy cinnamon apple baked French toast casserole has become our family’s go-to holiday brunch star. It’s ridiculously easy to throw together (even with sleepy eyes and coffee in hand), and it fills the house with the most heavenly aroma. The best part? You can prep it the night before, so all you have to do is pop it in the oven and bask in the compliments. Trust me, this dish disappears faster than unwrapped presents!

Why You’ll Love This Cozy Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole

This isn’t just another breakfast dish—it’s your new holiday morning lifesaver. Here’s why it’s become my family’s must-have:

Effortless elegance: Looks fancy but takes just 15 minutes of hands-on prep (coffee in hand, pajamas still on)

Crowd-pleasing magic: Serves a hungry group without you flipping endless slices at the stove
Holiday in every bite: Warm cinnamon, sweet apples, and buttery bread create instant comfort
Sleep-in friendly: Assemble it the night before—just bake while gifts get unwrapped

Seriously, your brunch game just leveled up.

Ingredients for Cozy Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole

Grab these simple ingredients – some might already be in your kitchen! The magic happens when these humble items come together.

The bread base: 6 cups cubed French bread (day-old works best – it soaks up the custard like a dream)

Custard magic: 4 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Warm spice: 1 tsp ground cinnamon (I always add an extra pinch because… why not?)
Apple topping: 2 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced (I use Honeycrisp but any baking apple works), 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tbsp melted butter

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

No stress if you need to swap things! Here’s how to make it work:

Bread: Stale brioche or challah are fabulous too. For gluten-free, use your favorite GF loaf (toast it slightly first).
Milk: Dairy-free? Almond, oat or coconut milk blend right in. I’ve even used half-and-half when feeling indulgent.

Sweetener: Swap white sugar for maple syrup or coconut sugar – just reduce other liquids slightly.
Apples: No time to peel? Leave the skins on for extra texture and fiber!

How to Make Cozy Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole

Alright, let’s get to the fun part—turning those simple ingredients into a showstopping brunch dish! Here’s my foolproof method:

Heat things up: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab that 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick greasing—butter or cooking spray works great.
Bread foundation: Spread your cubed bread evenly in the dish. Don’t be shy—pack it in there! Those nooks will hold all the custardy goodness.
Custard magic: In a big bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until perfectly blended. This is where the flavor starts!

Soak it up: Pour that gorgeous custard over the bread, then press down gently with a spatula. You want every cube to drink up that mixture like a sponge.
Apple crown: Arrange your apple slices in pretty layers across the top. Sprinkle with brown sugar and drizzle with melted butter—this creates that irresistible caramelized crust.
Bake to golden perfection: Pop it in the oven for 35-40 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is golden brown and the center springs back when touched.

Rest and serve: Let it cool for just 5 minutes (if you can wait that long!) before diving in. The flavors settle beautifully.

Prep Ahead Option

Here’s my holiday morning secret: Assemble everything the night before! Just cover tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bake as directed—you might need an extra 5-10 minutes since it’s going in cold. More sleep, less stress!

Tips for Perfect Cozy Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole

After making this dozens of times (and learning from my mistakes!), here are my can’t-skip secrets:

Press it down: After pouring the custard, really press those bread cubes down – they should look like they’re swimming in it!
Apple uniformity: Slice apples about 1/4-inch thick – too thin and they disappear, too thick and they stay crunchy.
Doneness test: Slide a knife into the center – it should come out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).

Golden rule: Pull it when the edges are deep golden but before the apples start to blacken – about 38 minutes is my sweet spot.

Trust me, these little tricks make all the difference between good and “wow!”

Serving Suggestions for Your Holiday Brunch

Oh, the possibilities! While this cinnamon apple French toast casserole shines on its own, here’s how I love to serve it for that extra holiday sparkle:

Drizzles of joy: Warm maple syrup is classic, but try honey or caramel sauce for a fun twist
Creamy companions: A dollop of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt adds lovely contrast
Festive sides: Crispy bacon balances the sweetness perfectly, or go for fresh berries for a lighter touch

Holiday garnish: Dust with powdered sugar “snow” or top with extra cinnamon for that festive look

Pro tip: Serve straight from the baking dish—it keeps the cozy vibes going strong!

Storage & Reheating

Leftovers? (As if!) But if you somehow manage to have some, here’s how to keep the magic alive:

Fridge friend: Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days – the apples stay surprisingly fresh!
Reheat right: Pop individual slices in the toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F until warmed through (about 10 minutes) – this brings back that perfect crispness.
Freezer warning: I don’t recommend freezing – the texture goes from fabulous to soggy when thawed. Better to share with neighbors!

P.S. Cold slices straight from the fridge make a pretty amazing midnight snack…

Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re diving into (not that it’ll stop you from seconds!): Each generous serving clocks in at about 280 calories, with 18g of natural sweetness from the apples and brown sugar, plus 9g of protein to keep you going. Remember, these are estimates – your exact ingredients might tweak the numbers slightly. But hey, it’s the holidays – we’re here for joy, not math!

FAQs About Cozy Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast Casserole

Can I use other fruits besides apples? Absolutely! Pears work beautifully, and I’ve even tried it with peaches in summer. Just keep the slices about the same thickness so they bake evenly. Frozen berries sprinkled on top right before baking add a fun pop of color too.

Can I double this recipe for a big crowd? You bet! Simply use two 9×13-inch baking dishes (or one huge roasting pan if you’ve got it). The baking time stays about the same – just keep an eye on that golden-brown top.

How can I make this vegan? Easy swaps! Use flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg), your favorite plant-based milk, and coconut oil instead of butter. The texture comes out slightly different but still delicious – my sister-in-law (the vegan queen) approves!

Why day-old bread? Fresh bread turns to mush, while slightly stale bread holds its shape better while soaking up all that custardy goodness. No stale bread? Just toast fresh cubes lightly first – works like a charm!

Share Your Holiday Brunch Creation!

Nothing makes me happier than seeing your cozy kitchen creations! Snap a photo of your cinnamon apple masterpiece and tag me – I’ll be cheering you on from my flour-dusted counter. And if this recipe becomes part of your family traditions like it has for mine? Well, that’s just the best holiday gift of all. You can find more inspiration on Pinterest!