How to Make the Perfect Cinnamon Brown Butter Apple Toast
American · Easy · 18 min · 2 servings

A cozy autumnal toast featuring warm caramelized apples cooked in nutty brown butter and cinnamon over a layer of cream cheese. This recipe tastes like apple pie on a slice of bread and comes together in under 20 minutes.
Why this recipe works
This Cinnamon Brown Butter Apple Toast recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 18 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 410 calories with 7g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 slices brioche or thick white bread
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 whole apples peeled cored and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese softened
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Brown Butter Apples
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and continue cooking while swirling the pan until the butter turns golden brown and smells nutty. Add the apple slices brown sugar and cinnamon and stir to coat everything evenly.
Step 2: Caramelize the Apples
Cook the apples in the brown butter mixture over medium heat stirring occasionally until they are tender and golden and the sauce has thickened into a sticky glaze. Do not rush this step by using high heat.
Step 3: Toast the Bread
While the apples cook toast the brioche slices until golden and just crisp on the outside but still slightly soft inside. Brioche toasts quickly so watch it carefully to avoid burning.
Step 4: Prepare the Cream Cheese Spread
In a small bowl stir together the softened cream cheese and maple syrup until smooth and well combined. The mixture should be easily spreadable and lightly sweet with a hint of maple flavor.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Spread the maple cream cheese generously onto each toast slice. Spoon the warm cinnamon brown butter apples over the cream cheese and drizzle any remaining sauce from the pan over the top. Finish with chopped toasted walnuts.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- brioche bread → thick cut challah or Texas toast
- cream cheese → mascarpone or ricotta cheese
- walnuts → pecans or granola clusters
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Do not walk away from the brown butter as it can go from golden to burnt very quickly
- Do not use a watery apple variety such as Red Delicious as it will not hold its shape when cooked
- Do not use cold cream cheese straight from the fridge as it will tear the bread when you try to spread it
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 410 calories, 7g protein, 52g carbs, 20g fat, 4g fiber.
Ready to cook?
Get the interactive recipe with adjustable servings, built-in timers, and ingredient checklist.
View full recipe →