Apple-Cinnamon French Toast Strata
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup butter melted
- ½ cup packed brown sugar plus 2 tablespoons
- 1 loaf cinnamon swirl bread
- 8 oz Brie cheese rind removed, cut into ¼-inch slices
- 1 large baking apple coarsely chopped (about 2 cups)
- 8 eggs
- 1½ cups milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Maple syrup if desired
Instructions
- Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- In small bowl, stir butter and ½ cup of the brown sugar until well blended.
- Spread evenly in bottom of baking dish.
- Top with 7 of the bread slices (cutting to fit, if necessary), the cheese, apple and remaining bread slices.
- In large bowl, beat eggs, milk, vanilla, the remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar and the cinnamon with whisk until well blended.
- Pour evenly over bread mixture.
- Press bread down into egg mixture to coat.
- Cover tightly with foil; refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Bake strata covered 25 minutes.
- Uncover; bake 30 to 35 minutes longer or until golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.
- Let stand 10 minutes.
- Invert onto serving platter.
- Serve with syrup.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Festive Touch Garnish this decadent breakfast bake with a dollop of whipped cream, apple slices and a sprinkling of cinnamon.
Kitchen Secrets Baking apples such as Braeburn and Honeycrisp work best for the success of this recipe. Leave the peel on or peel it—it’s up to you.