Description
This Apple French Toast recipe combines the classic comfort of golden, custardy French toast with a warm, caramelized apple topping infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch, it features thick slices of challah or brioche dipped in a spiced egg mixture and pan-cooked to perfection, then topped with tender sautéed apples and optional crunchy nuts for texture. Finished off with a dusting of powdered sugar and maple syrup drizzle, this dish is a delightful balance of sweet and spiced flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
French Toast Base
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 slices thick bread (such as challah or brioche)
- 1 tablespoon butter (for cooking)
Apple Topping
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
To Serve
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
Instructions
- Prepare the egg mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly combined to form a smooth custard base for dipping the bread.
- Prepare the apple topping: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the peeled, cored, and sliced apples along with brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and optional nutmeg. Stir occasionally to coat the apples evenly with the sugar and spices.
- Cook the apples: Continue cooking the apples for 6 to 8 minutes until they become tender and the sugars caramelize into a rich sauce, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Finish the apple topping: Stir in the lemon juice and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to balance sweetness and enhance flavor. Remove from heat, then gently fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans if using to add a crunchy contrast.
- Cook the French toast: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Dip each slice of thick bread into the prepared egg custard, ensuring both sides are fully coated but not soaked through.
- Pan-fry the bread: Place the egg-dipped bread slices on the hot skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until the bread is puffed, golden brown, and cooked through. Add additional butter as needed for subsequent batches.
- Assemble the dish: Transfer the cooked French toast to serving plates and top each slice with a generous spoonful of the warm apple topping.
- Serve: Optionally, dust the French toast with powdered sugar and drizzle with pure maple syrup to add extra sweetness. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use thick slices of bread like challah or brioche for best absorption and texture.
- Peeling apples is recommended for a smoother topping, but you can leave the skins on for extra fiber.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg to your preference or omit nutmeg if unavailable.
- Adding nuts is optional but provides added texture and flavor contrast.
- Ensure the skillet is hot enough before cooking the French toast to get a crispy exterior without absorbing too much butter.
- This recipe serves 4 people and can be doubled for larger groups.
