Baked Apple Cider French Toast

This baked apple cider French toast combines some of the fall season’s favorite flavors: apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans, and apple cider. Dip slices of crusty bread in a cider-infused custard, and then top with spiced apples cooked in a brown sugar sauce. Serve this delicious dish with maple syrup or salted caramel for an extra flavorful start to a crisp autumn morning.

• 1 (12–14-ounce) loaf French bread, sourdough bread, or challah
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) apple cider
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• pinch cinnamon
• pinch salt

• 1/4 cup (4 Tbsp; 56g) unsalted butter
• 4 medium apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices (about 4 cups/500g)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) apple cider
• 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (90g) pecan halves
• for serving: confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup, and/or salted caramel sauce