This sourdough French toast casserole recipe is a rich and sweet custard baked with tangy sourdough bread, apples, cinnamon, and raisins for the perfect fall treat. A great way to use up loaves of sourdough bread that didn’t rise just right.
The other day I was on the second rise for two loaves of my go-to sourdough bread recipe. If you’re brand new to the concept, traditionally made sourdough bread can take anywhere from 10-24 hours. It is made without conventional yeast packets, and uses a native yeast-filled starter for leavening.
It’s a very slooooow process.
About an hour before the loaves were all set to go in the oven, my husband brought the pans in. (I ferment them outside in the warmer months, so they rise more quickly.) He casually mentioned, “Oh yeah Eli shoved his hand in this one. I hope that doesn’t mess anything up.”
Well, for my non-bread baking blog readers, a punch in a loaf of rising bread is a death blow for the entire operation.
Fluffy sourdough bread mission aborted. These loaves would still be tasty, but feel more like bricks than blue-ribbon, prize-winning, sourdough bread.
A run-in with a curious kid is not the only pitfall that can derail a bread making mission. I get messages from readers all the time who had various other things go wrong in the sourdough bread baking process.
The starter wasn’t mature enough. They didn’t knead the dough long enough to develop the gluten. They let it rise too long. All this and more.
All is not lost in this situation. There are plenty of recipes that work perfectly for dense, brick-like, sourdough bread.
What to do with a bad batch of sourdough bread
Now I imagine you’re a resourceful home cook like myself. There’s no way those long fermented, gut healthy loaves are going in the trash, even if they’ve been deflated by little hands.
Enter this delicious, brick-redeeming recipe: easy french toast casserole with apple, cinnamon, & raisin.
I guess I have to thank my five-year-old bread-punching son, Eli, for forcing me to think of it. All the flavor, and health benefits, of the sourdough is maintained. It’s a perfect dish for breakfast. Sometimes I even make a pan of it around mid-morning to have it ready to go for lunch.
I love that it is full of protein, gut-healthy fermented grains, and sweetened with natural maple syrup.
Shoot, sometimes I even make this recipe with bread that came out alright. It’s just that good.
Other ideas include: Sourdough stuffing, bread pudding, strata, bread crumbs, and croutons
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Tips:
- This is a perfect way to use up leftover sourdough bread or a bread recipe that doesn’t turn out right.
- A great recipe for Christmas morning, Easter brunch, or even a weekend breakfast.
- I love making this ahead of time, sticking it in the fridge overnight for an easy breakfast for a busy morning.
- Turn it into a dessert by serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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The Simple Ingredients
Homemade sourdough bread: My favorite kind of bread is sourdough brioche. You could use a different type of bread. The best bread to use is a softer bread like sandwich bread, French bread, challah, etc. These work better to make a richer french toast casserole recipe. Artisan bread would also work, as well as a loaf that doesn’t work out very well.
Whole milk: I like using full-fat milk because it gives it a richer, more custard like egg mixture.
Maple syrup or honey
Eggs
Cinnamon
Vanilla
Apples, peeled and chopped
Raisins
How To Make Sourdough French Toast Casserole:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cut the loaf of sourdough bread into one-inch cubes.
Place the bread cubes in a 9 x 13 glass baking dish or casserole dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, maple syrup, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Add the chopped apples and raisins to the bread.
Pour the egg mixture over the top of the bread and allow to stand for 10-15 minutes, or place in the fridge overnight covered with plastic wrap to make this into an overnight french toast casserole. The goal is to saturate the bread with the mixture.
Bake for about 30 minutes until it starts to turn golden brown around the edges and cooked through in the center.
Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup, whipped cream, or powdered sugar.
This sourdough french toast casserole tastes delicious drizzled with some real maple syrup or raw organic honey.
Variations for the sourdough french toast casserole:
- To make this dish extra special, grab a block of organic cream cheese, cut it into one-inch cubes and toss it in just before baking. This variation is more indulgent and creamy. It’s perfect for a Sunday morning brunch, served alongside fresh fruit.
- Omit the apples and raisins. Instead, add one can (15 oz.) of pumpkin, 1/2 teaspoon cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg to the egg and milk mixture.
- Omit the apples and raisins. Instead, add in two cups of fresh or frozen blueberries. This variation also tastes great combined with a block of cream cheese (like in the first variation).
- Mascarpone stuffed french toast bake recipe
- Try this cranberry version as well.
Find More Delicious Breakfast Recipes:
- Fluffy Sourdough Biscuits
- Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
- Sourdough Breakfast Sandwich
- The Best Sourdough Crepes Recipes
- Sourdough Cinnamon Crunch Bagels
If you make this recipe and love it, I would love if you gave it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone with your delicious creation.
Sourdough French Toast Casserole With Apples, Cinnamon, and Raisin
Sourdough French Toast Casserole is perfect for those loaves of sourdough bread that didn't rise just right. It is made with fresh apples and cinnamon, making it the perfect fall treat.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf sourdough brioche or substitute with another type of sourdough bread.
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
- 10 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 apples, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut the loaf of sourdough bread in one inch cubes and place in a 9 by 13 glass baking dish.
- In a large glass bowl, whisk together the milk, maple syrup, eggs, cinnamon and vanilla.
- Add the chopped apples and raisins to the bread.
- Pour the egg mixture over the bread and allow to stand for 10-15 minutes, or overnight (in the refrigerator). The goal is to saturate the bread with the mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown around the edges and cooked through in the center.
Notes
This is a perfect way to use up leftover sourdough bread or a bread recipe that doesn't turn out right.
I love making this ahead of time, sticking it in the fridge overnight for an easy breakfast for a busy morning.
Turn it into a dessert by serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 624Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 335mgSodium: 743mgCarbohydrates: 100gFiber: 5gSugar: 46gProtein: 24g
JoAnna says
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I had made a batch of sour dough bread that turned out very dry and bleh, but did not want to waste it. So I froze them until I could think of something useful. This was the perfect way to use them! I looked over your recipes, and took ideas from them. I used the basic recipe (no apples or raisins), added cream cheese, and spread some peach jam on top. DELISH!
cathy says
Made this last weekend and it was amazing. Going to serve throughout the holiday season!
Lora says
We made this- apples and raisins. We used a whole wheat store bought loaf, everyone loved it.
Will make again
Allison says
I love everything we have tried Lisa. And sourdough has been a lifesaver with my daughter. She loves it! We are having this to celebrate the beginning of Christmas break 🙂 I am using your Artisan bread (scenario 1 because I made the dough before I could find the dough hook 🤪) and cranberry sauce mixed with cream cheese 🙂
Lacey says
This is so great! I omitted the apples and raisins because of my picky eaters and it still tasted fantastic!
Aubri says
We had this for dinner last night after discovering that I was missing an ingredient for the meal I had planned! All 5 of my kids had seconds! My daughter whipped up some cream to top it with, and everyone loved it. I just used the end of a few loaves that had dried out a bit, and I subbed in blueberries for the raisins. Delish! Next time I’ll probably use a little less butter on top since it overflowed in my oven. Thanks for the recipe!
Michelle says
Do you think I can make this with coconut milk? I’m lactose intolerant? I can handle butter but not milk.
Lisa says
Yes. You should be able to substitute the milk for a milk alternative no problem.
Nicole says
There is no salt in this recipe. I added some to mine.do you add some to yours, Lisa?
Lisa says
I typically don’t. Did adding salt bring out the flavors more?
Maggie Kyker says
Trying this recipe this morning!
Lisa says
Hope you enjoy it!
Stephanie says
Would freezing this before baking work or would it be soggy?
Lisa says
I’m not sure I’ve never tried it.
Taylor says
I batch prep this recipe without apples, raisins (we don’t like them), and butter and freeze before baking and I think it tastes great. My favorite part is the soft part in the middle but I wouldn’t describe it as soggy. I don’t add the apples because that is the part I think would get mushy. The top still ends up crispy after baking. I put it in the fridge the night before cooking. In the morning I stir it (it is usually still a little frozen but that is ok, just cook longer), add in apples if we want, add the melted butter to the top and bake it. I’m about to freeze several more. I love this recipe as an easy breakfast I can prep ahead.
Lisa says
Thanks for sharing Taylor!