Upside-Down Apple French Toast with Cranberries and Pecans Recipe

Imagine a giant sticky bun crossed with a warm fruit tart. This Upside-Down Apple French Toast with Cranberries and Pecans Recipe caramelizes tart apples and toasted nuts in a cast-iron skillet before burying them under thick slabs of custard-soaked challah. It flips out to reveal a glistening, gooey masterpiece that is the ultimate showstopper for a holiday brunch.

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Upside-Down Apple French Toast Ingredients

The Caramel Fruit Base:

• 4 Granny Smith apples: Peeled, cored, and halved. These hold their shape against the intense heat of the caramel.
• 1 cup light brown sugar: Melts into a rich toffee sauce.
• 1/2 stick (4 tbsp) unsalted butter: The foundation of the caramel.
• 1/4 cup heavy cream: Creates a luscious, pourable consistency for the sauce.
• 1/2 cup pecans: Adds a buttery crunch.
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries: Tart, chewy gems that brighten the dish.

The French Toast:

• 1/2 loaf Challah bread: Cut into 1-inch thick slices. This egg bread is sturdy enough to absorb the custard without disintegrating.
• 4 eggs: The base of the soak.
• 1 cup whole milk: For richness.
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Aromatic warmth.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Essential spice.
• Confectioners’ sugar: For dusting.

How To Make Upside-Down Apple French Toast

1. Soak the Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a shallow baking dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Lay the thick Challah slices into the custard, turning them occasionally to ensure they absorb the liquid like a sponge.
2. Create the Caramel: Set a 10-inch ovenproof skillet (seasoned cast iron is best) over medium heat. Add the butter and 1 cup of brown sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 8 minutes until the sugar melts and bubbles into a smooth, amber caramel.
3. Assemble the Fruit Layer: While the sugar melts, peel and halve the apples. Remove the skillet from the heat. Gently whisk in the heavy cream (be careful, it may sputter). Sprinkle the pecans and dried cranberries into the caramel. Press the apple halves cut-side down into the skillet to create a flat surface.
4. Layer the Bread: Arrange the soaked Challah slices over the top of the apples, fitting small pieces into any gaps so the fruit is completely covered. Sprinkle the top of the bread with a little extra brown sugar for crunch.
5. Bake: Place the skillet in the middle of the preheated oven. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The bread should be puffed, golden brown, and the caramel bubbling up the sides.
6. The Grand Flip: Remove from the oven and let it cool for exactly 2 to 3 minutes. Crucial Step: Place a large serving platter face down over the skillet. Using oven mitts, confidently and quickly flip the skillet over to invert the French toast onto the plate. If any apples stick, just rearrange them with a spoon.
7. Serve: Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately while the caramel is molten.

Recipe Tips

• The Cast Iron Warning: As noted in the cook’s note, if your cast iron skillet is not well-seasoned, the acidity in the cranberries can react with the metal, turning the fruit black. If you are unsure about your pan, use a stainless steel or enameled skillet instead.
• Timing the Flip: Do not wait longer than 3 minutes to flip the pan. As the caramel cools, it acts like glue. If you wait too long, the French toast will be stuck to the skillet forever.
• Apple Varieties: While Granny Smith is specified for tartness, Honeycrisp or Braeburn are excellent alternatives that hold their shape well during baking. Avoid Red Delicious, which will turn to mush.
• Bread Staleness: Slightly stale Challah absorbs custard better than fresh bread. If your bread is fresh, slice it and let it sit on the counter for an hour before soaking.

What To Serve With Upside-Down French Toast

• Thick-Cut Bacon: The smoky, salty pork is mandatory to cut through the intense sweetness of the caramel apple topping.
• Greek Yogurt: A dollop of unsweetened yogurt provides a cool, tangy contrast to the hot sugar.
• Black Coffee: You need a bitter beverage to balance this rich dish.
• Sausage Patties: A savory protein rounds out the meal.

How To Store Apple French Toast

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The caramel will soften the bread over time.
• Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 45 seconds, or in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to firm up the bread.
• Freeze: Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the caramelized apples and soaked bread becomes unpleasant upon thawing.

Upside-Down French Toast Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 580 kcal
• Fat: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 75g
• Sugar: 45g
• Protein: 10g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving.

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