Cinnamon-Kissed Apple Butter French Toast Recipe for Breakfast Joy
Weekend mornings call for something special, and this apple butter French toast delivers pure comfort on a plate.
Warm, golden-brown slices dripping with homemade apple butter French toast create an irresistible breakfast experience.
Each bite promises a delightful blend of sweet and spicy notes that dance across your palate.
Soft bread soaks up the rich, cinnamon-infused batter, creating a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth.
The apple butter adds a luscious depth that elevates this classic breakfast from ordinary to extraordinary.
Crisp edges and a tender center make this dish a weekend breakfast champion.
You’ll want to savor every single delectable forkful of this morning masterpiece.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Calories: 365 kcal
Servings: 5
Apple Butter French Toast: Ingredient Essentials
For Bread Base:
Loaf Bread: Sturdy base that absorbs the rich custard mixture, selecting day-old bread provides better texture and absorption capabilities.
For Custard Mixture:
Eggs, Milk: Creates luxurious, creamy binding that transforms ordinary bread into decadent French toast.
Apple Butter: Introduces deep, concentrated apple flavor with subtle sweetness and robust autumn essence.
Melted Butter: Adds richness and helps create golden, crispy exterior when baking.
Molasses: Delivers complex, deep caramel undertones that complement apple butter's sweetness.
Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that enhances apple and bread flavors with aromatic depth.
For Topping and Finishing:
Brown Sugar: Provides caramelized sweetness and helps create crispy, golden-brown crust.
Additional Cinnamon: Adds warm, spicy accent to complement brown sugar topping.
Butter: Ensures even browning and adds extra richness to the dish.
Maple Syrup: Classic accompaniment that adds sweet, smooth finishing touch when serving.
Tools Needed to Make Apple Butter French Toast
Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining eggs, milk, and seasonings.
Whisk: Essential for blending ingredients smoothly.
Knife: Needed to slice bread into thick pieces.
Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient amounts.
Cookie sheet: Useful for initial bread coating before baking.
9-inch square baking pan: Key for arranging and baking French toast.
Plastic wrap: Helps cover and refrigerate overnight (optional).
Spatula: Great for spreading butter and handling bread slices.
How to Cook Apple Butter French Toast
Bread Preparation Fresh, thick bread slices ready for transformation.
Magical Mixture Blend eggs, milk, apple butter, melted butter, molasses, and cinnamon into a silky, fragrant liquid that will make your kitchen smell incredible.
Bread Bath Gently dunk each bread slice into the luscious mixture, ensuring every inch gets coated with the dreamy concoction. Let excess liquid pool around the slices.
Flavor Boosting Sprinkle a generous layer of brown sugar and cinnamon over buttered bread, creating a caramelized blanket of sweetness.
Baking Transformation Place bread slices standing up in a greased pan, letting them cuddle close together. Slide into a warm oven at 350°F and bake until the top turns golden and edges crisp.
Breakfast Finale Pull out the pan when the toast looks beautifully bronzed and smells heavenly. Drizzle with your favorite syrup and serve immediately while still steaming.
Tips for Sweet & Buttery Apple French Toast
Select day-old bread for maximum flavor absorption and firmer texture when soaking in the egg mixture.
Refrigerating the prepared French toast allows ingredients to meld together, creating deeper, richer taste profiles and more intense apple butter notes.
Replace brown sugar with maple sugar for a woodsy sweetness or coconut sugar for deeper caramel undertones that complement the apple butter's richness.
Elevate the dish by garnishing with chopped toasted pecans, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar to add delightful texture and visual appeal.
Prepare the entire dish the night before, cover tightly, and bake directly from the refrigerator, saving precious morning preparation time and ensuring a stress-free breakfast experience.
Presentation Tips for Apple Butter French Toast
Top with Sweet Toppings: Drizzle warm maple syrup, sprinkle powdered sugar, or add a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
Pair with Breakfast Sides: Serve alongside crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or fresh fruit to create a complete morning feast.
Enhance with Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the French toast for added texture and rich, nutty flavor.
Create a Fruity Twist: Add a side of caramelized apple slices or a quick berry compote to complement the apple butter's warm spices.
How to Store Apple Butter French Toast
Refrigerate Wisely: Store any leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Freeze for Later: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen French toast stays fresh for 1-2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in a toaster or oven.
Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the dish the night before and keep refrigerated. This allows flavors to meld and saves morning cooking time. Simply pop in the oven when ready to serve.
Revive Leftovers Perfectly: Refresh cold French toast by warming in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Avoid microwave to maintain the crispy texture and prevent sogginess.
Delightful cinnamon-spiced apple butter french toast combines classic breakfast comfort with seasonal charm. Rich, creamy textures and warm spices invite you to savor each indulgent bite.
Ingredients
Scale
14 oz (400 g) French bread
3 large eggs
1 cup (240 ml) milk
¾ cup (180 ml) apple butter
4 tbsps (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
2 tbsps molasses
1 tsp ground cinnamon (for spice)
1 tsp ground cinnamon (for coating)
Instructions
Preparation: Slice French bread into uniform 1 to 1½-inch thick segments, creating consistent pieces for optimal cooking results.
Mixture Creation: Whisk eggs, milk, apple butter, melted butter, molasses, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until perfectly blended, forming a rich, aromatic custard mixture.
Bread Soaking: Completely immerse each bread slice in the egg mixture, ensuring thorough saturation. Transfer coated slices to a cookie sheet, generously drizzling any remaining liquid over the bread.
Topping Preparation: Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl, creating a fragrant sweet-spice blend for enhanced flavor profile.
Assembly and Seasoning: Spread softened butter across bread surfaces, then liberally dust with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Carefully arrange bread slices upright in a generously greased 9-inch baking pan, allowing them to nestle closely together.
Flavor Enhancement: Sprinkle any remaining butter or cinnamon-sugar mixture over the dish to promote caramelization and intensify taste.
Baking Process: Position pan in a preheated 350°F oven, baking for 35-40 minutes until the top achieves a golden-brown hue and the interior becomes thoroughly heated.
Serving: Immediately present the French toast while piping hot, accompanied by maple syrup or preferred sweet drizzle for a decadent breakfast experience.
Notes
Bread Selection Tip: Choose day-old French bread for superior texture and better absorption of egg mixture.
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Program: Classic Culinary Arts
Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.
Michael Rivera
Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor
Expertise
Education
The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)
Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking.
Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.