Stuffed French Toast for a Decadent Breakfast

Apple Pecan Stuffed French Toast

Name: Apple Pecan Stuffed French Toast: A Make Ahead Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 13 h 5 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups half-and-half; 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 8 ounces cream cheese, cold; 2 cups fruit preserve or cooked fruit (I prefer canned apple pie filling); 1 loaf of day-old bread; 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter; 2 Tablespoons dark corn syrup; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1 cup chopped pecans; Sweetened whipped cream, optional

Want to serve something special for Christmas morning without spending the entire morning in the kitchen? This Apple Pecan Stuffed French Toast is just the recipe for you.

I make this decadent breakfast once a year, usually for Christmas morning. It combines layers of bread, cream cheese, and apple filling with a rich custard and a sweet brown sugar pecan topping. You prepare everything the night before, then add the topping and bake it in the morning.

It's delicious, feeds a crowd, and it looks like you spent far more time preparing breakfast than you actually did.

An apple pecan stuffed French toast for holiday brunch.

This isn't an everyday healthy breakfast. It's a special-occasion treat, perfect for Christmas morning, a holiday brunch, or a leisurely New Year's Day breakfast.

Why You'll Love This Stuffed French Toast

Jump to Recipe

Make it ahead. Assemble the French toast the night before and refrigerate it overnight.
One baking dish. Everything bakes together in a 13-by-9-inch pan.
Feed a crowd. This recipe serves 8 to 10 people.
A special breakfast with less morning work. Add the topping and put the dish in the oven while everyone gathers around the table.

I especially like recipes that let me enjoy time with family instead of fussing in the kitchen. This one delivers that convenience without sacrificing a special breakfast.

Ingredients for Apple Pecan Stuffed French Toast

For the French toast

6 large eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 ounces cream cheese, cold
2 cups apple pie filling or other cooked fruit filling
1 loaf day-old white bread

I prefer apple pie filling for this recipe, but you can use another fruit preserve or cooked fruit if you like. Choose a firm-textured white bread that will hold up well as it absorbs the custard.

Day-old bread works particularly well because it has had a little time to dry out.

For the pecan topping

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons dark corn syrup
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
Sweetened whipped cream, optional, for serving

How to Make Apple Pecan Stuffed French Toast

Cut the Bread to Fit the Pan

Step 1: Prepare the baking dish and bread

Butter or spray a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Cut the bread into slices about 1/2 inch thick. Arrange a layer of bread across the bottom of the baking dish, cutting pieces as needed to fill the spaces.

Use All of the Cream Cheese

Step 2: Add the cream cheese and apple filling

Dollop the cold cream cheese evenly over the first layer of bread. Use all 8 ounces.

Spread the apple pie filling evenly over the bread and cream cheese.

Add a second layer of bread, cutting the pieces to fit the baking dish.

The Apple Filling

Step 3: Make the custard

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, whole milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Pour the custard evenly over the layered bread.

Cover the baking dish and refrigerate overnight. This gives the bread time to absorb the custard.

Step 4: Prepare the pecan topping

You can prepare the topping the night before, too.

Combine the melted butter, dark corn syrup, brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Cover and refrigerate separately until morning.

The Yummy Spiced Custard

Step 5: Bake the French toast

In the morning, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it stand for about 30 minutes while the oven heats. Keep it covered or otherwise protected as appropriate for your baking dish.

Spread the pecan topping evenly over the French toast.

Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the center is set.

The French toast will puff up as it bakes, and the topping may bubble over the sides. I recommend placing the baking dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips.

Step 6: Let it rest and serve

Remove the dish from the oven and let the French toast rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. It can rest for 30 minutes or longer.

I think this French toast is best when it isn't piping hot. The layers have time to settle, and it's easier to serve.

Serve warm or at room temperature, with sweetened whipped cream if desired.

Yummy Stuffed French Toast

Make-Ahead Tips

The night before: Assemble the bread, cream cheese, apple filling, and custard in the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Prepare the topping separately: Mix the butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, and pecans. Store it separately until morning.

The next morning: Allow about 30 minutes for the refrigerated baking dish to warm slightly, then add the topping and bake. Let the finished dish rest before serving.

This advance preparation makes the recipe especially convenient for Christmas morning. You can enjoy breakfast with your family instead of measuring ingredients and assembling layers while everyone waits.

A Special Breakfast Worth Saving for the Holidays

I usually save this Apple Pecan Stuffed French Toast for Christmas morning, but it would be equally welcome at a holiday brunch or on New Year's Day.

The combination of apples, cream cheese, and a buttery pecan topping makes it feel indulgent and festive. Best of all, most of the work is finished the night before.

If you're planning a holiday breakfast for family or friends, put this recipe on your menu. It's a delicious way to make the morning feel special without making it unnecessarily complicated.