Healthy French Toast Recipes: Recipe For Baked Apple-Cinnamon French Toast

This is a recipe I cut out years ago from Eating Well magazine. I love it because it is one of my favorite breakfast dishes - French Toast.

It also contains some of my favorite ingredients - apples and raisins. Coincidentally, it also is one of the easiest preparation methods for French toast - baking.

This is a wonderfully delicious, healthier version of a classic American breakfast dish - hope you like it as much as I do!

This is also a do-ahead recipe and can be saved in the fridge for 8 to 24 hours.

Photo Credit:  Flickr Cowbite

Makes 12 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups skim milk
• 2 cups liquid egg whites like Egg Beaters
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon salt if desired
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 one-pound loaf sliced whole wheat bread
• 1 cup chopped dried apple rings (3 ounces)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon confectioner's sugar

PREPARATION

1. Whisk together milk, egg whites, honey, vanilla and salt in a large bowl.
2. Cut crusts off 8 bread slices and set that aside.
3. Cut up the crusts and the remaining slices of bread into 1-inch pieces.
4. Toss the cut bread only with the dried apples, raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl.
5. Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Put the bread mixture in the pan.
6. Layer the reserved crustless 8 slices over the top of the casserole - trim to fit.
7. Whisk the milk mixture again and then pour evenly over the bread.
8. Press bread down with the back of a spoon making sure all the bread is moistened.
9. Cover with parchment paper and then foil - refrigerate for 8 hours - or up to 24 hours.
10. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
11. Bake the casserole covered for 40 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until puffed, set and lightly browned - about 20 minutes more.
12. Let stand for 10 minutes, dust with powdered sugar and serve.

French Toast is a delicious breakfast offering - whether it is for a leisurely Sunday breakfast for yourself, company or part of a brunch menu.

This particular recipe is one of my favorites because you can make it up the night before - up to 24 hours before - then cook when you are ready. Allow 1 hour for baking and you're all set.

Try substituting other dried fruits for the raisins and apples - it is equally delicious. Dried cranberries and blueberries make a delicious variation to the apple recipe.

Adding a bit of chopped walnuts gives it a crunchy and flavorful twist plus more of a nutritional boost.

Chopped almonds and almond extract instead of the vanilla extract also is delicious.

I've also added finely chopped peaches as well and cut back a bit on the egg white. Peach French toast has always been my #2 favorite!

You can also substitute some finely cut up regular apples for the dried apples - just back off a tiny bit on the egg substitute as well - or just bake a bit longer.

Serve this with fresh fruit or all by itself - it is a delicious way to start the day!