“Never put off tomorrow what you can do today” is the theme of this wake-up recipe. Tomorow’s French Toast Bake puts you in the right position for the right start to your day. With a little planning ahead, this brioche bread is happy to be swimming in a creamy, cinnamon-and-apple-ladened sauce, and then baked until golden-brown! Tomorrow’s French Toast Bake gives you a head start to a delicious breakfast or brunch that everyone, young or old, will enjoy. Don’t procrastinate any longer; it’s such a wonderful way to wake up! It’s always a good day to have a great morning!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 large apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
- 1 (16-ounce) loaf brioche bread, cubed
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
- 12 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar, for topping
Directions
Step 1 –Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2 –In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
Step 3 –Add the apples to the melted butter and cook, stirring frequently, until they are just tender, about 5 minutes.
Step 4 –Add the brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon to the apple mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the brown sugar has dissolved, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 5 –Transfer the apple mixture from the heat and let it cool.
Step 6 –Add 1/2 of the bread cubes to the bottom of the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the cream cheese cubes.
Step 7 –Pour 1/2 of the apple mixture over the cream cheese cubes and top with the remaining bread cubes.
Step 8 –Pour the remaining apple mixture over the bread cubes.
Step 9 –In a large bowl, add the eggs, the milk, the maple syrup, the vanilla extract, the salt, and the remaining cinnamon and whisk to combine.
Step 10 –Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes.
Step 11 –Tightly cover the French toast bake and place it in the refrigerator, for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
Step 12 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 13 –Transfer the French toast bake from the refrigerator and let it stand while the oven is preheating, about 30 minutes.
Step 14 –Evenly sprinkle the pecans over the French toast bake.
Step 15 –Bake the French toast bake, covered, about 30 minutes.
Step 16 –Uncover the baking dish and bake the French toast bake until it is golden-brown and the center is firm, about 25-30 minutes.
Step 17 –Serve the French toast bake sprinkled with the confectioners’ sugar.
