Overnight French Toast With Maple Apples
In this cozy breakfast for a crowd, slices of challah are soaked in a rich custard made from everyday ingredients. Saucy, spiced apples make this dish feel fit for a special occasion, and they are so simple to make. The apples are gently cooked and sweetened with maple syrup so they keep a bit of their tartness and texture, making them a perfect match for the soft French toast. Both the French toast and apples can be prepared the night before, so all you need to do is pop the pan in the oven, warm the apples and serve.
Yield
8
Time
9 hours 10 minutes
Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
2 ½ cups whole milk
4 large eggs
6 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
1 (1-pound) loaf challah, cut into ¾-inch-thick slices
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 to 6 firm tart, firm apples, such as Granny Smith (about 2 pounds), peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
¼ cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the baked French toast: Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla and salt.
Step 2
Dip each slice of bread in the milk mixture, then lay it in the prepared pan in slightly overlapping layers. Pour the remaining mixture over the top. Gently press the bread into the custard, then cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
Step 3
Make the maple apples: Add the butter to a medium pot over medium heat. Let the butter melt, then add the apples, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are translucent and tender and the juices have reduced and thickened slightly, 15 to 20 minutes. Let the apples cool slightly, then transfer to a container with a lid. Refrigerate the apples overnight along with the unbaked French toast.
Step 4
When ready to bake, heat the oven to 350 degrees and uncover the dish. Dot the top with the 4 tablespoons butter and recover with the foil (there may be condensation on the underside of the foil; simply wipe it off or flip the foil before re-covering the French toast). Bake the French toast for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake until lightly browned, and cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes more. Tent with foil if the top is browning too quickly.
Step 5
While the French toast bakes, warm the maple apples in the microwave or in a pot over medium heat. Taste and add more maple syrup if desired.
Step 6
To serve, cut the French toast into squares and top with the warm maple apples.
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