# Baked Cinnamon Apple Butter French Toast

Thick-cut bread soaked overnight in a spiced custard, layered with apple butter, and baked until puffed and golden. Warm, custardy, and deeply autumnal.

_Breakfast_

Prep: 20 min · Cook: 45 min · Total: 65 min · Yields: 8 servings

## Ingredients

- 1 large brioche or challah loaf (cut into 1-inch slices, day-old preferred)
- ¾ cup apple butter
- 6 eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for the baking dish)
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (for topping)
- ¼ tsp flaky sea salt (for topping)

## Instructions

1. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with the 2 tbsp unsalted butter, coating the bottom and sides completely.
2. Spread about 1 tsp of apple butter onto one side of each bread slice, using roughly 0.75 cup apple butter total across all slices.
3. Arrange the apple-butter-spread bread slices in the baking dish in two overlapping rows, apple-butter side facing up, slightly shingled like roof tiles.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the 6 eggs, 1.5 cups whole milk, 0.5 cup heavy cream, 0.25 cup granulated sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon, 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg, and 0.25 tsp kosher salt until fully combined and no streaks of egg remain.
5. Pour the custard mixture slowly and evenly over the bread slices, making sure every slice is saturated. Press the bread down gently with a spatula to help it absorb the custard.
6. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results.
7. When ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. Sprinkle the 2 tbsp brown sugar and 0.25 tsp flaky sea salt evenly over the top of the soaked bread.
9. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until the custard is set in the center (a knife inserted comes out clean) and the tops of the bread slices are deep golden brown.
10. Let the baked French toast rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with maple syrup or a dollop of extra apple butter.

## Tip

> Day-old or slightly stale brioche is essential — fresh bread turns to mush because it can't hold the custard's structure. If your loaf is fresh, spread the slices on a baking sheet and dry them in a 275°F oven for 15 minutes before assembling.

Tags: breakfast, comfort-food, make-ahead, fall, vegetarian

---
Canonical: https://just-recipes.io/recipes/baked-cinnamon-apple-butter-french-toast