You can have a delicious, decadent holiday breakfast for Christmas or Easter on the table in only 20 minutes with this quick and easy cinnamon French toast recipe.
Cinnamon French Toast
Get ready to enjoy the best French toast recipe you’ve ever had! Using day-old thick sliced white bread allows it to absorb the decadent egg and cream mixture that’s perfectly flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar.
This cinnamon French toast is cooked to perfection with a golden brown exterior in a layer of hot butter, which creates a delicious crust with a soft and chewy center.
My son loves this French toast and would eat it every single day for breakfast if he could. Even though I save this for special occasions, like Christmas morning or Easter brunch, I really appreciate the compliment! This quick and easy cinnamon sugar French toast is sure to quickly become a family favorite.
While this simple French toast recipe is delicious on its own, you can also make it extra special by adding toppings. If you love nutella, why not spread some on top? Or if you want to amp up the cinnamon sugar flavor, sprinkle some on for an extra kick. You can also stick to the classics and serve it with a generous drizzle of maple syrup and some fresh raspberries or blueberries.
If you’re looking for a holiday breakfast you can make in advance, be sure to check out our Crockpot French toast. It has tons of 5-star reviews and is a reader favorite every year.
Ingredients
White Bread: Opt for day-old thick-cut white bread when making your French toast. The slightly stale and dried out texture allows the bread to soak up the egg mixture better without becoming soggy. You could also use different types of bread, such as brioche or challah, for a gourmet touch.
Eggs: Egg acts as a binding agent, which gives the French toast structure as it cooks up. It also adds the rich custard flavor that makes it so delicious.
Heavy Cream: Using heavy cream makes this French toast ultra indulgent and rich. If you want it to taste a bit lighter, you can swap it for half-and-half or whole milk. I wouldn’t recommend using skim milk though, because the flavor is too watery and won’t give the rich custard texture you’re looking for.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is a warming spice with a distinctive flavor that tastes amazing in French toast. If you want to add a bit of a twist, try adding a dash of nutmeg or cardamom to the egg mixture for an extra depth of flavor.
Sugar: Granulated sugar adds just the right touch of sweetness to balance out the richness of the other ingredients.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract elevates the flavor profile by adding some depth of flavor to the French toast. Pure vanilla extract will taste the best, but since this recipe is cooked, you can swap it for imitation vanilla and still have good results.
Salt: A pinch of fine sea salt is all you need to balance out the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor of your French toast.
Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter gives French toast a golden color and a rich flavor when it’s cooked in it. I recommend using unsalted so you can control the amount of salt in your recipe.
How to Make Cinnamon French Toast
Prepare the egg mixture: Begin by whisking together the eggs, heavy cream, ground cinnamon, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in a large shallow dish (I recommend using a casserole dish). Make sure the ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth. (See the recipe card below for the full printable instructions.)
Soak the bread: Dip 2 slices of day-old bread into your egg mixture, making sure both sides are well coated by letting them soak for a few minutes. Then, flip the bread over and repeat the process.
Heat the skillet: Start by melting a tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a large skillet.
Cook the French toast: Transfer the soaked bread slices to the heated skillet. Cook until they turn golden brown. Repeat this process with remaining bread slices, adding a bit of butter for each batch.
Rest the French toast: After cooking, let the French toast sit for a few minutes before serving. This allows the inside to finish cooking slightly, eliminating any chances of a soggy middle.
Serve: Serve your French toast warm with your choice of toppings. Some of my favorites are maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream. Enjoy! See the recipe card below for the full written instructions, including ingredient amounts, and helpful tips, etc.
Pro Tips
- Always use day-old bread: Fresh bread tends to fall apart when soaked in the egg mixture. Stale bread is drier and more absorbent than fresh bread, which allows it to soak up the egg and milk mixture without falling apart
- Cook on medium heat: This helps your toast get perfectly golden brown without burning.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook in batches to make sure each piece has enough space to cook evenly.
What Is Cinnamon French Toast Made Of?
Cinnamon French toast is made with simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. It’s made with day-old bread, eggs, heavy cream (or milk or half-and-half), granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, an optional pinch of salt, and unsalted butter for cooking. You can also add your favorite toppings like maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruits.
Do You Soak French Toast In Egg?
Soaking French toast in egg is important because it’s what gives French toast its soft, custard-like center and browned, slightly crispy edges. When you cook it, the egg in the mixture sets, creating a structure that traps the liquid ingredients inside the bread and forms a creamy custard.
Why Do You Need Milk For French Toast?
Milk, or in our recipe, heavy cream, adds a creamy and rich texture to the French toast. It works with the eggs to create that custardy interior we love in a good French toast.
Should French Toast Have More Eggs Or Milk?
The ratio of eggs to milk (or cream) can vary based on personal preference. If you prefer a denser, more custard-like French toast, use more eggs. If you prefer a lighter, creamier French toast, use more milk or cream.
A general guideline for French toast is to use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk (or cream) per egg. So, for 4 slices of bread, you might use 2 eggs and 1/2 to 1 cup of milk. This will give you a nice balance between the custard-like texture from the egg and the moisture from the milk.
What Is The Most Common Mistake In Making French Toast?
The most common mistake is not soaking the bread long enough in the egg mixture. This results in dry and bland French toast. Another common mistake is using fresh, soft bread which can become too soggy and fall apart during the soaking process.
What Is The Best Bread For French Toast?
Thick-cut breads like brioche, challah, French bread, sourdough, Texas toast, Pullman loaf, or a hearty white bread work best for French toast. They have the hearty structure to hold up to the egg mixture and the soaking process.
Do You Cook It In Butter Or Oil?
I prefer to cook French toast in butter. It gives it a beautiful golden color and adds a rich flavor. However, if you’re cooking a large batch, you could use a combination of butter and a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil. Since the oil has a higher smoke point than butter, it can help prevent the French toast from burning if you’re cooking a large batch and need to keep the pan hot for a longer period of time.
When Should I Flip It?
You should flip your French toast when it’s golden brown on the bottom and the egg mixture has set. This usually takes a few minutes over medium heat per side, but keep an eye on it as stoves can vary.
Why Is My Homemade French Toast Soggy?
If your French toast is soggy, it could be because you’ve used a bread that’s too soft or fresh, or you’ve over-soaked the bread. Remember to use day-old bread and to soak it just enough to saturate it, but not so much that it’s falling apart.
What Pairs Well With It?
Cinnamon French toast pairs perfectly with sweet toppings like maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit. For a savory twist, try serving it with crispy twisted bacon or sausage on the side. A cup of hot coffee or a glass of orange juice also pairs with it perfectly.
Keep In Touch
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
Breakfast Recipes
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out all of our other breakfast recipes. Some reader favorites are:
- French Toast Bake
- Cinnamon Roll Casserole
- Chocolate Bread
- Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- Banana Nut Bread
- Bisquick Cinnamon Rolls
- Crockpot French Toast Casserole
- Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread
- Bisquick Banana Bread
BEST Cinnamon French Toast Recipe (How to Make Cinnamon French Toast)
A delicious, decadent holiday breakfast for Christmas or Easter can be on the table in only 20 minutes with this easy cinnamon French toast.
Ingredients
- 8 slices of day-old thick-cut white bread
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream (can sub with half-and-half or whole milk)
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- Pinch fine sea salt (optional)
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- Optional for serving: maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream
Instructions
- In a large shallow dish (I used a 9x13 casserole dish), whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, ground cinnamon, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt (if using) until smooth and well combined.
- Place 2 slices of the day-old bread into the egg mixture and let soak for 2-3 minutes then flip over and soak again for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large skillet, melt 1 Tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Place two slices of soaked bread into the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crisp. While the French toast is cooking, add 2 more slices of bread to the mixture, flip them over to soak when you flip the French toast in the pan.
- Repeat the cooking process with the remaining bread slices, adding 1 Tablespoon of butter to the skillet for each batch.
- Once cooked, let the French toast sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the inside to continue cooking slightly, making sure it's not soggy. You can tell that the French toast is cooked through when the inside is set when you slice into it, and when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 160F on an instant read thermometer.
- Serve warm with your choice of toppings. My favorites are maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or a dollop of whipped cream.
Notes
- Using day-old bread is key because it's slightly drier and absorbs the egg mixture better without falling apart.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350F for 10 minutes or until warmed through. You can also use a toaster oven or microwave for a quicker option.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1/4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 646Total Fat: 41.2gCarbohydrates: 52.9gFiber: 3.4gSugar: 13.8gProtein: 15.8g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
I hope you and your family enjoy this cinnamon French toast as much as my family does! It’s really the perfect Christmas breakfast.
