Cinnamon Toast Crunch® Coated Apple Stuffed French Toast Recipe

Name: Cinnamon Toast Crunch® Coated Apple Stuffed French Toast Recipe
Ingredients: 8 tablespoons (4 ounces) unsalted butter, divided; 4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, sliced into 1/8-thick slices; 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided; 3/4 cup whole milk; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 3 large eggs; 2 tablespoons light brown sugar; 1/4 plus 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch® cereal, lightly crushed, divided; 1/3 cup sliced almonds, crushed; 4 ounces mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese), softened; 1 French baguette (not too dense), (see note)