I’m not usually a breakfast person — I love the idea of it, but I love sleep more. I’d rather grab something quick and eat at my desk than spend time cooking in the morning. Still, these mini apple cinnamon French toast casseroles convinced me to make an exception.
I made a batch on Sunday and have been enjoying them all week. They reheat in about 30 seconds in the microwave, and because maple syrup is baked into them, they don’t need extra toppings (though a splash of cream or a little extra syrup is delightful).
These little casseroles are easy to prepare. Tear soft white bread (dinner rolls or similar) into 1-inch cubes, toss them with a spiced custard and diced apple, then refrigerate overnight so the bread soaks up the liquid. Before baking, sprinkle the tops with a mixture of brown sugar and maple syrup so they caramelize as they cook. The finished bites are rich and eggy, portioned into muffin cups for a grab-and-go breakfast that puffs up while baking and settles as it cools.
Mini Apple Cinnamon French Toast Casseroles
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup fat-free evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- dash cardamom
- dash salt
- 6 ounces soft white bread torn into 1-inch pieces
- 1 apple diced
- ¼ cup loosely packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
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In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, evaporated milk, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt until the mixture is light and frothy. Add the torn bread pieces and diced apple, tossing a few times to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter nine muffin cups. Stir the soaked bread mixture to redistribute any settled liquid, then divide it evenly among the prepared cups.
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In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and 2 tablespoons maple syrup until the mixture resembles damp sand. Sprinkle or drizzle this over the tops of the muffin cups. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the tops are puffy and golden brown.
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To remove, run a knife around the edge of each muffin cup and gently lift each casserole out with a spoon. Serve warm or reheat briefly for an easy breakfast.
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