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Cozy Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Casserole: Easy 30-Minute Recipe

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A quick and easy breakfast casserole made with day-old cinnamon raisin bread, tender cinnamon-spiced apples, and a buttery streusel topping. Perfect for cozy mornings and potlucks, this forgiving recipe comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups day-old cinnamon raisin bread, cubed (about 8–10 slices)
  • 3 medium apples, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk (or 2%)
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter (for cooking apples)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (for cooking apples)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for cooking apples)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the diced apples, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are just starting to soften but still hold their shape. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. If your bread is fresh, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and toast them in the preheating oven for 5 minutes. If it’s day-old, skip this step. Place the bread cubes in the greased baking dish, spreading them evenly.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until the sugar is mostly dissolved and the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy, about 30 seconds.
  5. Scatter the cooked apples over the bread cubes in the baking dish. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the top, making sure all the bread gets soaked. Gently press down on the bread with a spatula to help it absorb the liquid. Let it sit for 5 minutes while you make the streusel.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Add the cold butter cubes. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining. If using nuts, stir them in now.
  7. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the casserole. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the custard is set (it should jiggle slightly in the center but not be liquidy). If the top is browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm, with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar if desired.

Notes

Don’t skip cooking the apples first—it ensures they are tender and jammy. Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth custard. Let the bread soak for 5 minutes after pouring the custard to avoid dry spots. For make-ahead, assemble without streusel, refrigerate overnight, then add streusel and bake with 5-7 extra minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cinnamon breakfast casserole, easy breakfast casserole, apple cinnamon bread pudding, 30-minute breakfast, potluck breakfast, cozy breakfast

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/cozy-apple-cinnamon-breakfast-casserole-easy-30-minute-recipe/