There are breakfast recipes that feel special—and then there’s caramel apple stuffed French toast casserole. Warm, buttery brioche layered with cinnamon-spiced apples, rich custard, and a generous drizzle of caramel creates a morning dish that feels like a celebration. Whether you’re feeding a holiday crowd, treating your family to a weekend brunch, or craving a cozy make-ahead breakfast, this casserole delivers indulgence without being complicated.

It combines the comforting sweetness of a caramel apple with the soft, custardy texture of baked French toast, all baked into one golden, bubbling dish. It’s nostalgic, satisfying, and surprisingly simple to prepare.

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast Casserole

Cozy fall flavors that never go out of season
Perfect make-ahead breakfast for holiday mornings
Feeds a crowd effortlessly
A blend of creamy, crunchy, and caramel-rich textures
Kid-approved and brunch-ready

This casserole brings together everything people love about French toast—warmth, comfort, sweetness—and elevates it with a layered apple filling that feels like dessert for breakfast (in the best way!).

Equipment You’ll Need

Large mixing bowl
Medium saucepan
9×13-inch baking dish
Whisk
Cutting board
Chef’s knife
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups & spoons
Foil (for baking)

Ingredients for Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast Casserole

For the Casserole

1 loaf brioche or challah bread, cut into 1–2 inch cubes
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
⅓ cup maple syrup
½ cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
Pinch of salt

For the Caramel Apple Filling

3 apples (Honeycrisp or Fuji work well), peeled and diced
3 tbsp butter
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp caramel sauce (plus more for serving)

Optional Topping

Powdered sugar
Extra caramel drizzle
Toasted pecans

Timing & Servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time (Optional): 2–12 hours
Bake Time: 45–50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (without chilling)
Servings: 8–10

How to Make Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast Casserole

Step 1. Prepare the Apple Filling

In a saucepan, melt butter and add diced apples. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and caramel sauce. Cook for 6–8 minutes until apples soften and the mixture becomes glossy and syrupy. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2. Build the Brioche Layers

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and add half of the cubed brioche. Spoon the caramel apple mixture evenly across the bread layer. Add the remaining brioche cubes on top to “stuff” the filling inside.

Step 3. Make the Custard

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.

Step 4. Pour Over the Casserole

Slowly pour the custard over the layered bread. Lightly press the bread down with the back of a spoon so it absorbs the liquid.

Step 5. Chill (Optional but Recommended)

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor and a custard-rich texture.

Step 6. Bake

Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, until golden, puffed, and slightly caramelized.

Step 7. Serve Warm

Top with powdered sugar, extra caramel, or toasted pecans for a finishing touch.

Tips for the Best Texture & Flavor

Use slightly stale bread

It absorbs custard without getting mushy.

Don’t skip the caramel apples

They add moisture, sweetness, and a beautiful layered texture.

Chill overnight

This improves the structure and flavor of the casserole.

Try different apples

Granny Smith adds tartness; Honeycrisp adds sweetness.

Flavor Variations

Salted Caramel Version

Add a sprinkle of flaky salt just before serving.

Cider Twist

Replace ½ cup of milk with apple cider for deeper fall flavor.

Nutty Crunch

Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the filling.

Cream Cheese Swirl

Add dollops of sweetened cream cheese between layers for richness.

What to Serve With It

Crispy bacon or turkey sausage
Fresh fruit salad
Maple-laced whipped cream
Hot coffee, chai, or apple cider

This casserole pairs beautifully with both sweet and savory sides.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate

Store leftovers for up to 4 days.

Freeze

Freeze baked portions for up to 2 months.

Reheat

Warm in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 10–15 minutes or microwave individual pieces.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

Calories: ~420
Carbohydrates: ~58g
Protein: ~10g
Fat: ~18g
Fiber: ~3g
Sugar: ~32g

If you enjoy homemade breakfasts that don’t take much time, check out Chorizo Potato Egg Casserole, Chickpea Flour Pancakes with Blueberry Compote, or Mexican Street Corn Avocado Toast.

Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast Casserole

This caramel apple stuffed French toast casserole layers brioche, warm cinnamon apples, and rich custard for a decadent, make-ahead breakfast that’s perfect for brunch or festive mornings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 50

Chill Time 12

Total Time 1 10

Servings: 10 people

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

For the Casserole

1 loaf brioche or challah bread cut into 1–2 inch cubes
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
⅓ cup maple syrup
½ cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
Pinch of salt

For the Caramel Apple Filling

3 apples Honeycrisp or Fuji work well, peeled and diced
3 tbsp butter
⅓ cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp caramel sauce plus more for serving

Optional Topping

Powdered sugar
Extra caramel drizzle
Toasted pecans

Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Medium saucepan
9×13-inch baking dish
Whisk
Cutting board
Chef’s knife
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups & spoons
Foil (for baking)

Method

Prepare the Apple Filling

In a saucepan, melt butter and add diced apples. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and caramel sauce. Cook for 6–8 minutes until apples soften and the mixture becomes glossy and syrupy. Set aside to cool slightly.

Build the Brioche Layers

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and add half of the cubed brioche. Spoon the caramel apple mixture evenly across the bread layer. Add the remaining brioche cubes on top to “stuff” the filling inside.

Make the Custard

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.

Pour Over the Casserole

Slowly pour the custard over the layered bread. Lightly press the bread down with the back of a spoon so it absorbs the liquid.

Chill (Optional but Recommended)

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor and a custard-rich texture.

Bake

Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, until golden, puffed, and slightly caramelized.

Serve Warm

Top with powdered sugar, extra caramel, or toasted pecans for a finishing touch.

Conclusion

Caramel apple stuffed French toast casserole is everything a special breakfast should be—comforting, indulgent, and made for sharing. With warm apples, caramel sweetness, and custardy brioche baked into one perfect dish, it captures the joy of fall flavors while being easy enough for any weekend morning. Whether served for a holiday brunch or a cozy family breakfast, this casserole has a way of making the moment feel memorable.

FAQs

1. Can I prepare this casserole the night before?

Yes—this recipe is designed for overnight chilling and tastes even better when baked the next morning.

2. What bread works best?

Brioche and challah are ideal because they soak up custard beautifully without falling apart.

3. Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Absolutely. Choose a thick, buttery caramel for the richest flavor.

4. Can I make it dairy-free?

Use coconut milk, dairy-free cream, and plant-based butter.

5. Can I add nuts to the filling?

Yes—pecans make a great addition for texture and flavor.

6. Why is my casserole soggy?

Too much custard or overly fresh bread can cause mushiness; use stale bread and allow proper bake time.