Thick brioche slices soak up a cinnamon-nutmeg custard, fry until crisp at the edges, and get topped with maple apples and vanilla whipped cream. This caramelized apple French toast takes 40 minutes, and the apples simmer while you fry the toast. While the apples simmered, the house smelled like cinnamon and maple, just like autumn, and my family loved it.
📷 Recipe Snapshot
🍽️ Recipe: Caramelized Apple French Toast
⏲️ Ready In: 40 minutes
👥 Serves: 4
🌏 Cuisine: American
💪 Difficulty: Easy
📌 Recipe Type: Breakfast / Brunch
🌟 Ingredient Highlights: brioche, eggs, apples, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, heavy cream
❤️ Why You'll Love It: Crisp-edged brioche, soft maple apples and cold vanilla cream.
💡 Summarize and save this recipe on
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Use thick brioche slices, ¾-1 inch (2-2.5 cm), so the center stays soft while the outside crisps. Cut the apples into wedges, not chunks, and pick a firm baking apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp or Braeburn.
More apple ideas: try my apple crumble bars with more apples than crumble or these easy apple doughnuts. For another breakfast, make my best blueberry pancakes.
💗 Why This Recipe Works
- Simple caramel: butter, brown sugar, maple syrup and a little rum or bourbon reduce in one pan.
- Cold cream balances the warm, sticky apples.
🍞 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Brioche: Day-old brioche absorbs custard better than very fresh. If yours is soft, leave the slices out on the counter for 20-30 minutes.
- Maple syrup: Use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup. Pancake syrup is thinner and won't reduce into a proper sauce.
♻️ Substitutes & Variations
- No alcohol: Swap the rum or bourbon for apple juice. The sauce is a little sweeter and less deep. Some alcohol remains after simmering, so use juice for kids.
- Challah instead of brioche: It's a little less rich but holds custard just as well. Slice it thick.
- Pears instead of apples: They cook faster, so check them at 6-7 minutes. They're softer and milder.
- Whipped cream swap: Use mascarpone stirred with a little powdered sugar for a thicker, tangier topping, or plain Greek yogurt for something lighter.
👩🍳 How To Make Caramelized Apple French Toast
Step 1: Make the apples
Melt the butter, sugar and maple syrup in a skillet, then add the rum, cinnamon stick and apples. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until tender.
Step 2: Make the custard
Whisk the eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, salt and milk until smooth.
Step 3: Dip the brioche
Dip each slice for a few seconds per side, coated but not soaked.
Step 4: Cook the French toast
Fry in butter over low heat, covered, for a few minutes per side until golden.
Step 5: Whip the cream
Beat the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla paste to soft peaks.
Step 6: Serve
Top the warm French toast with the apples and a spoonful of whipped cream.
*See the recipe card for detailed instructions.
Claudia's top Tips
- Add the alcohol off the heat, then return the pan to the burner. This avoids flare-ups.
- Wipe out the pan and add fresh butter between batches. Browned bits from the first round will burn in the second.
- Cook each side until the crust is deep golden brown. That crust stays crisp under the apples.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
- Crisp bacon or breakfast sausage for a sweet-and-salty plate.
- Toasted pecans or walnuts on top for crunch.
- Fresh berries and strong coffee for brunch.
Common Mistakes
- Slices too thin. They absorb too much custard and go limp. Stay at ¾-1 inch.
- Soaking too long. A few seconds per side is enough.
- Cooking over high heat. The outside browns before the middle sets. Use low heat with a lid.
For more recipes and inspiration, visit the LG Kitchen Facebook Group
❓ Caramelized Apple French Toast FAQs
Make the apples up to 2 days ahead and reheat gently with a spoonful of water. Keep cooked toast warm on a rack in a 200°F (95°C) oven for up to 20 minutes. Leftover toast keeps in the fridge for 3 days; reheat in a dry skillet or toaster oven. Keep the apples and cream in separate containers, and use the cream within a day.
Thick slices of brioche or challah work best, because the butter and egg in the dough hold the custard without falling apart. Sandwich bread is thin and absorbs custard too fast, so soak it for only 2-3 seconds.
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📖 Recipe
Caramelized Apple French Toast
Video
Ingredients
Custard
- 3 eggs
- 1⅔ cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
French Toast
- 1 loaf brioche cut into thick slices (¾-1 inch / 2-2.5 cm)
- Butter for cooking
Maple Caramelized Apples
- 3-4 apples peeled and cut into wedges (about 1¼ lb / 550 g)
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoon dark spiced rum or bourbon
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest optional
Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Apples: Melt the butter in a large, wide skillet over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and maple syrup. Let it bubble gently for 1 minute.3 tbsp unsalted butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ cup maple syrup
- Take the pan off the heat, stir in the rum or bourbon, then return it to the heat. Add the cinnamon stick, lemon zest (if using) and apple wedges, and stir to coat.3 tbsp dark spiced rum or bourbon, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tsp lemon zest, 3-4 apples
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes. The apples should be tender but still hold their shape, and the sauce should be thick enough to coat a spoon. Turn the heat to low to keep them warm.
- French Toast: Whisk the eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, salt and milk in a wide, shallow dish until smooth.3 eggs, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg, 1½ tsp vanilla extract, Pinch of salt, 1⅔ cups whole milk
- Dip each brioche slice in the custard for a few seconds per side, coated but not soaked.1 loaf brioche
- Heat a small knob of butter in a large frying pan over low heat (about one knob for every 3 slices). Cook the slices covered, a few minutes per side, until golden and crisp at the edges. Add fresh butter for each batch.Butter
- Whipped Cream: Beat the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla paste until soft peaks form.½ cup heavy cream, 1 tbsp powdered sugar, ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
- Serve the French toast warm with the apples and a spoonful of whipped cream.
Lucy says
I liked how the brioche’s crisp edges held up under the tender maple apples.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Hi Lucy! Thank you so much! That golden crust on the brioche is definitely key to holding up against those warm, sticky apples. So glad you enjoyed it!
Elizabeth says
This was perfect for our first fall brunch of the year! The caramelized apples were delicious....next time I'll make a double batch so I can snack on the leftovers!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Making a double batch of those caramelized apples is a brilliant idea, Elizabeth! They are just as delicious over vanilla ice cream or warm oatmeal. So glad it made your first autumn brunch extra special!
Chelsea says
I made this for a brunch and everyone loved it! There were no leftovers.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Empty plates and no leftovers at brunch are always the best compliment! Thank you so much for bringing this to your gathering, Chelsea—I'm thrilled everyone enjoyed it!
Ramona says
I really like the look of this! It’s beautifully presented and looks like such a comforting and enjoyable dish.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Thanks a lot, Ramona! It really is pure autumn comfort on a plate. I hope you give it a try for your next cozy weekend breakfast!
Nance says
Great seasonal twist on French toast!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Nothing beats the combination of warm spices and maple apples this time of year! Appreciate you taking the time to leave a note, Nance.
Larissa says
This caramelized apple French toast is delightful! The caramelized apples are my favorite part! Perfect for a fun family Sunday brunch!!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
The caramelized apples are definitely my favorite part too, Larissa! Hearing that it added a little extra joy to your Sunday family brunch completely makes my day.
Silvia says
Loved this Caramelized Apple French Toast recipe, I made it for breakfast over the weekend, and my kiddos loved it. Thank you!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Getting the seal of approval from the kiddos is the ultimate win! Thank you so much for making this for your family over the weekend, Silvia.
Andrea says
My kids loved this recipe! This is a great idea for a Christmas morning breakfast or brunch.
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Oh, serving this on Christmas morning sounds like such a magical tradition, Andrea! The smell of cinnamon and maple filling the kitchen is unbeatable. Thanks for the wonderful idea!
nancy says
what's better than french toast? Caramelized apples ! what a great idea. my kid loved it and asked for more!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Hearing that your kid asked for seconds makes my heart so happy, Nancy! You can never go wrong with extra caramelized apples on top.
Louise says
These are all the tastes I'm craving right now. A perfect fall breakfast!
Claudia-Cristina Ciorteanu says
Fall flavors are completely unbeatable right now! Hope this brings a warm, cozy touch to your next crisp morning breakfast, Louise.