Are you a cinnamon lover too, or is it just me? 😂 I love adding it to my favorite dishes, and my boyfriend is just the same!
One morning, I spotted it in the kitchen and thought, why not make Cinnamon French Toast for our breakfast date? I knew he would be just as excited as I was to try it.
We made breakfast fun by turning the toppings into a little game. He picked his favorites, I picked mine, and we put on some music and danced around the kitchen while the French toast cooked.
Of course, we kept sneaking little tastes along the way! ❤️
The French toast came out golden on the outside and soft in the middle, with a lovely sweet flavor. We topped it with our favorites and enjoyed breakfast together without even leaving home.
If you love cinnamon as much as we do, try this recipe with your partner and make your own fun breakfast memories!
Why You’ll Love This French Toast
- Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday breakfast staples that are easy to find at most grocery stores.
- Quick Preparation: The egg mixture takes only a few minutes to whisk together.
- One-Skillet Cooking: Everything cooks in a single skillet or on a griddle, keeping cleanup simple.
- Beginner-Friendly: No complicated techniques or special baking skills are needed.
- Easy to Scale: The recipe can be doubled or reduced depending on how many people you’re serving.
- Budget-Friendly: A practical way to turn basic bread and pantry ingredients into a homemade breakfast.
Ingredient Notes & Easy Substitutions
Thick-Cut Bread: Brioche, challah, and Texas toast work particularly well because their sturdy slices absorb the custard mixture. Choose bread with an even thickness for consistent cooking.
Eggs: Three large eggs provide the structure and richness needed for the French toast custard. Room-temperature eggs (optional) also blend easily with the milk and cream.
Whole Milk: Milk creates the liquid base for soaking the bread. Whole milk provides a balanced consistency, while 2% milk can also be used.
Heavy Cream: A little heavy cream adds extra richness to the egg mixture. It can be replaced with additional whole milk if needed.
Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon gives this breakfast its familiar warm spice aroma. Use freshly ground cinnamon for the best results.
Cinnamon French Toast recipe
This Cinnamon French Toast is made with thick bread slices dipped in an egg mixture with cinnamon, vanilla, and a little sugar. Cooked in butter until golden, it’s easy to make with simple ingredients.Each slice is golden on the outside and soft in the middle. Serve warm with maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or butter for a delicious breakfast.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and the cinnamon is evenly distributed.
- Arrange the bread slices on a plate or cutting board. If the slices are especially fresh and soft, let them sit uncovered for a few minutes so they can absorb the egg mixture without becoming too soggy.
- Take one slice of bread and dip it into the egg mixture, allowing each side to soak for a few seconds. Make sure both sides are coated, but avoid leaving the bread submerged for too long.
- Place a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a little butter and let it melt, coating the cooking surface evenly.
- Place the soaked bread slices into the warm skillet without overcrowding. Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes on each side, until the surfaces are golden brown and the centers are cooked through.
- Transfer the cooked slices to a serving plate. Add more butter to the skillet as needed and repeat with the remaining bread and egg mixture.
- Arrange the cinnamon French toast on plates and finish with your favorite toppings. Maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries, or an extra sprinkle of cinnamon all make lovely additions.
Nutrition Information
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 285 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 34 g |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 390 mg |
Fun Ways to Decorate Your French Toast
- Fresh Strawberries: Add sliced strawberries for a fresh, colorful topping.
- Powdered Sugar: Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top for a simple, pretty finish.
- Maple Syrup: Drizzle maple syrup over the French toast for extra sweetness.
- Whipped Cream: Add a spoonful of whipped cream to make your breakfast feel special.
- Banana Slices: Top with sliced bananas for natural sweetness and a lovely finish.
More recipes to try
- Strawberry Pancakes recipe
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
- Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes
- Chocolate Lava Cakes
- Homemade Margherita Pizza
What to Avoid When Making French Toast
- Soaking Bread Too Long: Leaving the bread in the egg mixture for too long can make it fall apart during cooking.
- Using Excessive Heat: High heat can brown the outside before the custard in the center has cooked properly.
- Skipping the Butter: Cooking without enough butter can cause the bread to stick and develop uneven color.
- Overcrowding the Skillet: Too many slices at once can lower the cooking temperature and make flipping difficult.
- Using an Inconsistent Slice Thickness: Different bread thicknesses require different cooking times, which can lead to uneven results.
- Flipping Repeatedly: Turning the slices multiple times can make them difficult to handle and prevent even browning.
More Ways to Enjoy French Toast
- Brown Sugar Cinnamon French Toast: Replace the granulated sugar with light brown sugar for a deeper sweetness.
- Nutmeg French Toast: Add a small pinch of ground nutmeg to complement the cinnamon.
- Orange Cinnamon French Toast: Add ½ teaspoon of fresh orange zest to the egg mixture.
- Cinnamon Sugar French Toast: Sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar over the cooked slices.
- Pumpkin Spice French Toast: Add ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to the custard for a seasonal breakfast.
- Coconut French Toast: Replace some of the whole milk with canned coconut milk for a subtle coconut flavor.
- Chocolate Cinnamon French Toast: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the bread while it is still warm.
Best Ways to Store Leftover French Toast
- Make Ahead: Whisk the egg mixture the night before and refrigerate it in a covered container. Prepare the bread separately.
- Refrigerator Storage: Let cooked French toast cool completely and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer Storage: Place cooled slices in a single layer, freeze until firm, and transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm refrigerated slices in a skillet over medium-low heat or in a toaster oven until heated through.
- Freshness Tip: Separate individual slices with parchment paper before stacking to prevent them from sticking together.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make French toast with sandwich bread?
Yes, regular sandwich bread works if you don’t have thick-cut bread. Since it is thinner, dip each slice into the egg mixture for just a moment. This helps prevent the bread from becoming too soft. Keep an eye on it while cooking because thin slices may cook faster. - How do I know when French toast is fully cooked?
The outside should be golden brown, and the center should feel soft but not wet. Cut into one slice if you’re unsure whether the egg mixture has cooked through. If the middle still looks raw or runny, cook it a little longer over medium-low heat. Avoid using high heat to speed things up. - Can I make French toast without adding sugar?
Yes, you can leave the sugar out of the egg mixture if you prefer less sweetness. The vanilla and cinnamon will still give the French toast plenty of flavor. You can add maple syrup or fruit on top when serving. This also lets everyone choose how sweet they want their breakfast. - What can I serve with Cinnamon French Toast for a complete breakfast?
You can serve it with fresh fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs, or breakfast sausage. These sides add variety and make the meal more filling. For a simple breakfast date, pair the French toast with coffee, tea, or a glass of juice. Choose sides that you and your partner enjoy. - Can I make this French toast dairy-free?
Yes, you can replace the whole milk and heavy cream with an unsweetened plant-based milk, such as oat or almond milk. Use a dairy-free butter alternative for cooking. The taste and texture may be slightly different, but the French toast can still turn out delicious. Check that your bread is dairy-free, too.