Puffy Apple French Toast Bake

Sometimes you need an extra special breakfast - and one that doesn't require a lot of work is a bonus! This is an overnight recipe, and then baked in the oven so you don't stand at the stove cooking the whole time! And it's DElish! 

Gotta have maple syrup drizzled over - that's what makes it perfect! :)

I was trying to use up some bread, so let it overlap and it turned out great.

The apple topping looks yummy all on its own!

Ready for the oven...

Now that's why I call it Puffy!! The puff does go down as it cools though.

Puffy Apple French Toast Bake

1 loaf French bread {or similar}, cut into 1 inch slices
2 cups half & half
2 cups milk
7 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 large apples, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Place 3 rows of bread in baking dish lengthwise, overlapping the slices slightly to fit. {Or just cram it in however you like!}

In a bowl, combine half & half, milk, eggs, vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and nutmeg. Beat with whisk until thoroughly blended. Pour egg mixture evenly over the bread. Push bread gently down into liquid. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight {or 8 hours}.

In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degress F. Remove baking dish from refrigerator. Uncover baking dish. With the back of a spoon, lightly press bread into egg mixture. Let sit at room temp while you prepare the apples.

Combine chopped apples, brown sugar, melted butter, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon in a medium bowl. Top bread mixture evenly with apple mixture. Bake until puffed and golden and a knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve with maple syrup drizzled over top.

Rather than a typical French toast texture, this is more custard-like. I actually liked it better the second day when it was a little firmer, but my son loved it the first day! Also, because I didn't add any sugar to the milk & egg mixture, the only sweetness comes from the apples on top and the syrup you drizzle over. Once you have the syrup on, it's perfect! But if you desire more sweetness in the French toast, you could add some sugar or honey to the milk mixture.

Do you like overnight recipes? Are you a French Toast fan?

This post linked to:
 ~ Chic & Crafty Party at The Frugal Girls 
 ~ I'm Lovin' It at TidyMom

Have a blessed day friends!