It’s getting cold outside you guys! And I’m kind of excited about it because it means I get to wear all of my comfy clothes, fall boots and of course, bake my heart out. I actually can’t wait to head to the apple orchard this year to pick fresh juicy apples. Tony just got done with baseball and will be staying with me for the next week or so. Hopefully we’ll have time to head to the orchard.
My favorite apples to snack on are usually Honeycrisp and Braeburn because of their sweet, crispy crunch. However nothing beats a granny smith when it comes to baking. They’re perfectly tart yet still offer some sweetness. I can’t wait to bake up famous apple crisp this year (make it!).
I must admit one of my favorite things about cooler weather are the cozy fall baking scents that always seem to linger for a few hours after baking. Now thanks to Bath & Body Works new fall flavors line of products, my entire house has been smelling like apple crisp and pumpkin pie from dawn until dusk. Their scents range from Farmstand Apple to Banana Nutmeg Bread Pudding.
I’m planning on stocking up on their candles and lotions, because you know the holidays will be here before you know it. I’m also the type of person who doesn’t really go shopping until a few days before Christmas or even right before I’m attending a holiday party. There have been numerous times where I have gift wrapped something in the Target parking lot. This year I vow to be better at that… maybe.
Today I’m bringing you a simple recipe inspired by Bath & Body Works new We Love Fall product line. After soaking in the aroma of their Apple candle all last week, I just had to start baking with them. This recipe is a Salted Caramel Apple French Toast and I know you guys are going to love this for those Fall mornings when you have company or just when you want a special treat. It’s easy to make and can be made ahead of time, too!
So, how do you make easy french toast casserole?
I tried to make it a little bit healthier by using almond milk, minimal butter and a little less sugar than what normally goes into a French toast casserole. There’s also a touch of maple syrup and cinnamon. Mmm hmmm your house is about to smell like heaven and best of all even though this is a skinny version, the French toast still sweet, sticky, and ooey-gooey delicious. The diced apples baked right in with the bread and they added a little more sweetness to this breakfast treat. Enjoy!
More brunch recipes you’ll love:
Strawberry Banana Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal
The Best Cinnamon Rolls You’ll Ever Eat
Dark Chocolate, Almond & Sea Salt Banana Baked Oatmeal
Spinach & Goat Cheese Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust
Baked Sweet Potato Donuts with Dark Chocolate + Coconut
Salted Caramel Apple French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound french bread loaf cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 medium granny smith apples, peeled and diced
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 2 eggs
- 3 egg whites
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch nutmeg
Instructions
- Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla, eggs, egg whites, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Pour egg mixture over the bread, making sure to soak each cube. If there are some dry pieces, simply press them down a bit to soak up some of the egg mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, or overnight!
- Once ready to bake, place small saucepan over low heat and add brown sugar, butter and maple syrup; whisk occasionally until butter is melted and combined with sugar. Add salt and diced apples to caramel and stir to combine. Drizzle apple caramel mixture all over bread cubes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the top of the french toast bake is golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes then cut into 12 servings. Serve with warm maple syrup.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: This post was brought to you by Bath & Body Works, but of course all opinions are my own. Thanks for continuing to support Ambitious Kitchen!
Hi Monique – can I prepare this through step 3 and then freeze it? Trying to plan ahead for the holidays. Thank you!
Hi Aly! I’d recommend baking it fully, letting it cool, and then freezing the entire thing (or slices) ahead of time. Then you can thaw it in the refrigerator and bake it at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes when you’re ready to serve!
Made this for Christmad breakfast this year to rave reviews! Thanks for sharing : )
This looks delicious! I was wondering is that a tbsp. of maple syrup added to both the egg mixture and to the brown sugar mixture? Thanks!
Both!
My favorite thing to bake is pie!
I love to bake apple crumbles in the fall
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Miniature pumpkins, stuffed with apple crisp and baked in the oven. Then topped with homemade, fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon & nutmeg 🙂
I love to bake cobblers in the fall, apple, berry, pear!
mac and cheese, you literally cannot go wrong.
I love baking with apples and pumpkin in the fall. Apple crisp, pumpkin bread, apple and pumpkin muffins, applesauce bread. I love the way thses spicy recipes make my kitchen smell.
I like to make Apple Butter Cheesecake Pie.
My favorite thing to bake in the fall is a delicious dessert I found last year and made several times. Pumpkin cheesecake bars with salted caramel swirl. THE BEST! myfoxypup at gmail dot com
Anything with pumpkin pie spice!! Happy Fall Ya’ll!!
I enjoy a warm apple pie for my grandkids! Thanks
I love me some pumpkin pies!
Pumpkin sage lasagna rolls!
Fried apple pies
Cranberry bread-yum
I love to bake chocolate chip pumpkin bread in the fall. Typing this makes me want to bake some this morning! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
fairyfractal at gmail dot com
My favorite thing to bake is Pumpkin Pie!
I love making my apple crisp when the weather starts to get cooler and then drizzle it with some of my salted caramel sauce.
Zucchini bread, yummy!!
Apple crisp… served warm with homemade vanilla ice cream!!
apple crisp!
Tried using your Bath & Body works coupon but they wouldn’t accept it 🙁
Oh no, so sorry about this Becky! I informed the Bath & Body Works team and we’re going to look into it. Thanks for letting me know.
Definitely anything pumpkin or apple! Baked oatmeal, granola, bars, muffins, pies, crisp–you name it!
challah
I’ve got a recipe for a pumpkin cheesecake that is out of this world…really, what isn’t when it involves pumpkin?!
Hmm fall reminds me of baked oatmeal but of course pumpkin muffins, breads and all sorts of cookies too!
My favorite Fall recipe is WHOLE APPLE DUMPLINGS made with puff pastry wrapped around a brown sugar and walnut stuffed peeled and cored apple. When brushed with an egg wash, it comes out a beautiful golden color. Extra dough scraps can be cut into leaves to drape down the apple. Not sure what I enjoy more…..the smell while baking or the delicious taste.
I love baking sugar cookies in the fall.
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Apple crisp.
Loving this recipe, friend! The salted caramel and apple combo is making my mouth water!
Apple or pear crisp with homemade cinnamon ice cream – yum and yum!
Applesauce, the chunky kind!!
My fall favorite is baking apple dumplings!
For the fall, I love to do Dutch babies. Something I’ve been thinking about, maybe you could figure it out for me? Have you seen those red tortillas? I think they’re sundries tomato something. I was thinking of making a red bread with that flavor.
My favourite thing to bake in the fall is either your pumpkin bagels or pecan pie. 🙂
I love making pumpkin bread!
Love making banana muffins!
I love to bake sweet potatoes!
Anything with pumpkin or apples. Pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap crust, apple bread pudding made with calvados or amaretto and homemade caramel drizzled over the top. Yum, yum, yum!
I can’t wait to make pumpkin ginger loaf with cream cheese frosting!
Pumpkin cinnamon rolls with a cranberry glaze!
I love baking winter squash–every single variety. They are all so good!
Oh wow this looks delish….I’ve made your famous apple crisp before and it’s to die for! Other fall favorites of mine are overnight apple butter in the crockpot and maple bacon gravy for biscuits@
French toast bakes are the best and this looks great – pinned! I love to bake with apples and pumpkin in the fall!
Apple Crisp!
My favorite thing to make is cinnamon swirl bread from scratch! Tastes like fall and makes the house smell amazing!
apple bread for sure!
This casserole looks fantastic!! My mom loves breakfast casseroles, so I’ll have to send her this recipe after I try it. My favorite things to bake in the fall are pumpkin bread and cranberry cheesecake 🙂
I absolutely love baking pumpkin bread… and eating it morning, noon, and night!
My favorite thing to bake in the Fall has to be apple crisp. It just makes the house smell amazing, and since it has both apples AND oats, it totally qualifies as breakfast food 🙂
Love baking apple crisp and pumpkin muffins!
All. The. Pumpkin. Granola bars. Muffins. Bread.
Fall is my favorite time to break out the casseroles! Baked comfort in a glass dish!