Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake

The perfect recipe for slow fall mornings, cozy weekends, and gathering around the table.

There's something about fall mornings that I just love.

The cooler air, a warm cup of coffee, and the smell of cinnamon and apples filling the kitchen. It's the kind of morning that makes you want to slow down, stay in your pajamas a little longer, and enjoy being home.

And if you've been apple picking recently, this is a delicious way to put some of those apples to good use!

This Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake is everything I love about a cozy weekend breakfast. Buttery brioche, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, a rich vanilla custard, and a generous drizzle of warm Canadian maple syrup.

The best part? You prepare almost everything the night before.

So when Sunday morning rolls around, all that's left to do is pop it in the oven, put the coffee on, and enjoy a little extra time with the people around your table.

Overnight Apple Cinnamon French Toast Bake

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Refrigeration: Overnight (at least 6 hours)
Cook Time: 45–55 minutes
Servings: 6–8

What You'll Need

For the French Toast

• 1 loaf brioche bread (approximately 450–500 g), cut into 1-inch cubes

• 6 large eggs

• 2 cups whole milk

• ½ cup heavy cream

• ⅓ cup pure maple syrup

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Pinch of salt

For the Cinnamon Apples

• 3 medium Honeycrisp or Ambrosia apples, peeled if preferred, cored and diced

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For Serving

• Warm Canadian maple syrup

• A dusting of icing sugar

• Chopped pecans (optional)

Let's Get Cooking!

1. Start with the apples.

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples begin to soften and smell absolutely wonderful. Set aside to cool slightly.

2. Prepare your baking dish.

Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish. Add the cubed brioche and gently distribute the cinnamon apples throughout, making sure you get a little apple goodness in every bite.

3. Make the custard.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.

Pour the mixture evenly over the bread and apples. Gently press the bread down so it can soak up the custard.

4. Let it rest overnight.

Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 hours.

This is where the magic happens! The brioche absorbs all that delicious flavour while you get to enjoy your evening.

5. Bake until golden.

The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Take the baking dish out of the refrigerator while the oven heats. Remove the cover and bake for 45–55 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the centre is set.

If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil.

6. Make it beautiful.

Let the French toast bake rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Finish with a light dusting of icing sugar, a few chopped pecans if you like, and plenty of warm maple syrup.

A Few Little Tips

Use day-old brioche. Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard beautifully without becoming too soft. If your bread is fresh, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and let them dry out for a few hours.

Choose apples that hold their shape. Honeycrisp and Ambrosia are both lovely options. They soften as they bake without completely falling apart.

Make it your own. Add a handful of chopped pecans, a little extra cinnamon, or even a few dried cranberries for another layer of fall flavour.

Serving a crowd? Pair it with crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and a big pot of coffee. It's an easy way to put together a beautiful brunch without spending the entire morning in the kitchen.

A Little More Time Around the Table 🤎

I think some of the best moments at home happen around the table.

Not necessarily the fancy dinners or special occasions, but those slow mornings when nobody is in a hurry, the coffee keeps coming, and everyone stays just a little longer.

That's what I love about recipes like this one. They're simple, comforting, and meant to be shared.

Whether you're hosting family for the weekend, planning a cozy Sunday brunch, or just looking for something delicious to make with your freshly picked apples, I hope this becomes one of those recipes you look forward to making every fall.

And if you make it, I'd love to hear how it turns out!

With gratitude,
Samantha 🤎