Apple French Toast Cassorle
Ingredients
- 1 large gluten-free crusty loaf of choice, , cut into 1" cubes, with the two hard ends of the loaf discarded (day old bread works best). We like unbun, thornbury bakery, schar, bread srsly, awg bakery or california country gal for gluten-free / grain-free. Can also use any regular loaf of French bread, sourdough bread, or challah.
- 3 medium apples sliced thinly, (we used Gala and Granny Smith apples)
- 6 large eggs , or sub with egg-substitute of choice.
- 1-1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk , or milk of choice
- 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
- 1/3 cup maple syrup , you can use any preferred sticky liquid sweetener of choice such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup, allulose, honey, organic agave etc.
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 cup gluten-free oat flour , you can also use superfine almond flour or gluten-free 1-1 flour. Regular all purpose flour works too if you're not gluten-free.
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar , you can also sub with granulated brown sweetener of choice such as Swerve or golden monk fruit sweetener. Light brown sugar works too.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tbsp gluten-free rolled oats , optional for added crunch.
- 2 teaspoons chopped pecans
- 1 stick (8 Tablespoons) butter cold
Topping:
- caramel sauce , homemade or store-bought, optional
Instructions
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Grease a 9x9 or 2.5-quart baking pan, with non-stick spray. Arrange the bread cubes into the pan.
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In a large bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, milk, apple pie spice mix, maple syrup, and vanilla.
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Pour evenly over bread cubes. Press the bread cubes slightly down to absorb the milk/egg mixture. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store in the fridge for four hours. (You can bake this immediately as well too but the toast may not soak up as much of the flavor.)
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When you are ready to bake
Remove the dish from refrigerator and uncover. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Place an even layer of the sliced apples over the cubed bread.
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Make the streusel topping
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon together. Mix in the oats and pecans. Cut in the cubed butter with a pastry blender or two forks. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly on top. Add a few more slices of apples. Drizzle an even layer of caramel sauce on top.
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Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional for 15 - 20 minutes or until the French toast is set and golden brown. (Watch oven time carefully as it may vary. )
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Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving, if desired and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
- How to store: Store any leftover apple casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- How to freeze: For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions. Just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. They'll stay good for up to 3 months.
How to reheat
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Reheating your Apple French Toast Casserole is easy and ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness once again. Here's how to do it:
1. Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover casserole, covered with aluminum foil, in the preheated oven.
- Heat for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until it's warmed through.
2. Microwave Method (for individual servings):
- For individual portions, transfer a slice of the casserole to a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover it loosely with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe paper towel.
- Heat in the microwave on a low to medium setting for about 1-2 minutes, checking periodically to prevent overheating.