Recipe: Overnight Challah Cinnamon Apple French Toast

Recipe: Overnight Challah Cinnamon Apple French Toast

vernight Challah Cinnamon Apple French Toast: The Ultimate Weekend Breakfast Recipe

Looking for the perfect way to kick off your weekend mornings? Whether you're hosting a cozy brunch or simply craving a treat for yourself, our Overnight Challah Cinnamon Apple French Toast is exactly what you need. Soft, fluffy challah bread drenched in a cinnamon-spiced custard, topped with caramelized apples—what's not to love?

This recipe is the perfect blend of comforting, indulgent, and oh-so-easy. With a little prep the night before, you can wake up to a breakfast that feels like it took hours to make—without any of the fuss! Read on to discover how to make this mouthwatering dish and get your weekend off to a delicious start.

Why You'll Love This Recipe:

  1. Overnight Prep: This French toast is designed to be prepped the night before, making it the ultimate stress-free breakfast for the weekend. No need to wake up early—simply assemble it the evening before and let it rest overnight in the fridge.

  2. Challah Bread: Challah is the star here. Its rich, slightly sweet flavor and airy texture make for a perfect base for French toast. It soaks up the custard without becoming soggy, ensuring each bite is perfectly soft and golden on the outside.

  3. Cinnamon Apple Topping: We’re not stopping at French toast alone. This recipe is topped with a decadent caramelized cinnamon apple mix, adding warmth and sweetness to each bite. It’s the ultimate fall-inspired topping!

  4. Customizable: Feel free to get creative! You can add nuts, swap out the apples for pears, or even add a drizzle of maple syrup or whipped cream to really elevate your dish.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Blue River Bakery challah loaf, crust on, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 Large Green Apples Sliced
  • 1 ¼ sticks salted butter (room temperature)
  • ½ cup chopped Pecans (optional)
  • Syrup or powdered sugar to serve with

Instructions:

  • In a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking tray put the 1-inch pieces of Challah.
  • In a mixing bowl whisk together eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg.
  • Heat in a pan melt half a stick of butter, add brown sugar and sliced apples stir to coat with butter and add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes until apples are softened.  
  • Take the cooked apples and apply evenly over the Challah pieces, (Optional: toss chopped pecans on top)  and then pour the egg mixture.  Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerator for from 2 – 24 hours.  
  • Pre-heat the oven to 375°F and with the remaining butter melt and drizzle it evenly over the bread.  Combine the remaining cinnamon and granulated sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly. (Optional: toss chopped pecans on top)
  • Bake for 35 – 45 until puffed and golden brown. Let it rest for 10 - 15 minutes.   Serve with maple syrup, a dusting or powdered sugar or fresh fruit.

Tips for Success:

  • Use Day-Old Bread: For the best results, use slightly stale challah or bread. Fresh bread can become too soggy when soaked in the custard, while day-old bread absorbs the mixture more evenly.

  • Make It Your Own: While we love the cinnamon apple topping, feel free to experiment! Try adding a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch, or use pears or berries for a different fruit flavor.

  • Make-ahead Option: If you’re in a hurry, you can prep this recipe in the morning, though allowing it to sit in the fridge overnight makes the custard soak into the bread more deeply for a richer texture.

Why Challah is the Best for French Toast

Challah bread is perfect for French toast because of its soft, airy texture and slightly sweet flavor. The rich, egg-based dough creates the ideal foundation for soaking up the custard, but it still holds its shape when cooked. The result is a golden, crispy outside with a melt-in-your-mouth, custardy inside.

Final Thoughts:

This Overnight Challah Cinnamon Apple French Toast is a true game-changer for your weekend breakfasts. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just indulging yourself, it’s a dish that brings comfort, warmth, and a touch of sweetness to any morning. Best of all, it’s easy to prepare in advance, so you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying those cozy weekend vibes.

Ready to make it? Shop our freshly baked challah loaf right now, and get baking!

Have questions or feedback? Drop a comment below or reach out to us on social media. We’re always here to help!

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