Best Cinnamon French Toast (Fluffy & Golden Brown!)

Weekend mornings hold a special kind of magic when the smell of cinnamon and vanilla fills the entire house before anyone even gets out of bed. Last Saturday, Max appeared in the kitchen following his nose like a cartoon character, declaring that "it smells like a bakery in here but better because it's our kitchen." That's exactly what this cinnamon French toast recipe delivers; a breakfast so comforting and delicious that it transforms ordinary mornings into something worth savoring slowly with the people you love most.

Cinnamon french toast made with thick bread, spiced custard, and golden buttery crust for the ultimate breakfast indulgence.

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Thick cinnamon French toast slices stacked high, golden and caramelized with crisp edges, topped with whipped cream, fresh mint, juicy strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, drizzled with maple syrup and dusted with powdered sugar on a white plate.

What is Cinnamon French Toast

Cinnamon French toast is a classic breakfast dish made by soaking thick slices of bread in a sweetened egg mixture flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, then cooking them until golden brown with a crispy exterior and custardy center. Unlike plain French toast that relies heavily on toppings for flavor, this cinnamon French toast incorporates warm spices directly into the egg mixture, creating layers of flavor throughout every bite. The result is a comforting breakfast that tastes like cinnamon rolls met classic French toast and created something even more irresistible.

How To Make The Best Cinnamon French Toast

Our easy cinnamon French toast recipe uses the perfect ratio of eggs to cream with just the right amount of cinnamon and vanilla to create custardy centers without being eggy. The secret lies in using thick cut bread that can soak up the custard mixture without falling apart, then cooking low and slow to ensure the inside cooks through while the outside becomes beautifully golden and slightly crispy.

Cinnamon French Toast Ingredients

For the Custard Mixture:

4 large eggs
½ cup whole milk or heavy cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt

For Cooking:

8 thick slices bread (Texas toast, brioche, or challah)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter for cooking
Extra butter for serving

For Topping:

Powdered sugar for dusting
Pure maple syrup, warmed
Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
Whipped cream (optional)
Fresh mint leaves for garnish

All ingredients for cinnamon French toast on white kitchen counter, includes eggs, milk, cinnamon, bread, butter, vanilla, sugar, and toppings

Step by Step Method

Create Perfect Custard Base

Crack eggs into large shallow bowl and whisk until completely smooth
Add milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt to eggs
Whisk vigorously until mixture is well combined and slightly frothy
Let custard sit for 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld together

Prepare Bread for Optimal Soaking

Use day old bread for best results as it absorbs custard without getting mushy
Cut fresh bread into thick 1 inch slices if using a whole loaf
Let bread sit out 10 minutes to slightly dry the surface
Arrange bread slices in single layer near your custard bowl

Soak Bread to Perfection

Dip each bread slice into custard mixture for 20 to 30 seconds per side
Press bread gently to help custard penetrate without making it soggy
Let excess custard drip back into bowl before transferring to griddle
Don't oversoak or bread will fall apart during cooking

Cook to Golden Brown Beauty

Heat large skillet or griddle over medium low heat with butter
Add soaked bread slices and cook 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown
Flip carefully with wide spatula and cook another 3 to 4 minutes
Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding and maintain proper temperature

Serve with Perfect Toppings

Transfer cooked french toast to serving plates immediately
Dust generously with powdered sugar using fine mesh sieve
Top with fresh berries and dollop of whipped cream if desired
Drizzle with warm maple syrup and garnish with fresh mint

What Pairs Well With Cinnamon French Toast?

This classic cinnamon French toast pairs beautifully with crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or scrambled eggs for a complete morning feast. The sweet cinnamon flavors complement fresh fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, or hash browns perfectly. For special occasions, serve alongside mimosas, fresh squeezed orange juice, or hot coffee with cream for an elegant brunch spread.

Cinnamon French Toast Variations

Cinnamon Roll French Toast

Use thick slices of cinnamon swirl bread for double cinnamon flavor. Top with cream cheese glaze made from powdered sugar and cream cheese. Sprinkle with extra cinnamon sugar for bakery style presentation.

Overnight Cinnamon French Toast Casserole

Layer bread cubes in baking dish, pour custard over top, and refrigerate overnight. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes until golden and puffy. Perfect for feeding a crowd without morning stress.

Cinnamon French Toast Sticks

Cut bread into thick strips before soaking in custard mixture. Cook until golden on all sides for handheld breakfast. Great for kids and perfect for dipping in syrup.

Dairy Free Cinnamon French Toast

Replace milk with almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk for dairy free option. Use coconut oil instead of butter for cooking. All the flavor without any dairy ingredients.

Equipment

Large shallow bowl for custard mixture
Whisk for mixing eggs and spices
Large nonstick skillet or griddle
Wide spatula for careful flipping
Fine mesh sieve for powdered sugar dusting

Pro tip: A cast iron griddle maintains even heat better than nonstick and creates the most beautiful golden brown color on French toast.

Storage Tips

Best Fresh

Serve immediately after cooking for the best texture contrast between crispy exterior and custardy interior. Fresh cinnamon french toast has the most appealing warmth and optimal maple syrup absorption.

Leftover Solutions

Store cooked French toast in refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in 350°F oven for 5 minutes or toaster for crispy edges. Avoid microwave which makes it soggy.

Make Ahead Strategy

Mix custard the night before and refrigerate covered. Soak and cook fresh in the morning for best results. Alternatively, cook completely and freeze for up to 1 month.

Top Tips for Cinnamon French Toast

Use thick cut bread at least ¾ inch thick for proper custard absorption
Day old bread works better than fresh as it won't fall apart when soaked
Don't rush the cooking process ; low and slow ensures cooked through centers
Add butter to the pan between batches to prevent sticking and enhance flavor
Let custard drip off excess before adding to pan to prevent soggy results
Serve immediately for the best texture; French toast doesn't hold well
Warm your maple syrup in microwave for 20 seconds before serving

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make French cinnamon toast?

French cinnamon toast is made by whisking eggs with milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar to create a custard, then soaking thick bread slices in the mixture before cooking in butter until golden brown on both sides. The cinnamon is incorporated directly into the egg mixture for maximum flavor.

What is the most common mistake in making French toast?

The biggest mistake is using bread that's too thin or soaking it too long, causing it to fall apart. Other common errors include cooking at too high heat which burns the outside before the inside cooks through, and not adding enough flavor to the custard mixture.

What is the secret to making French toast?

The secret is using slightly stale thick cut bread, creating a well seasoned custard with proper egg to dairy ratio, soaking just long enough to saturate without oversaturating, and cooking low and slow to ensure golden exterior with fully cooked custardy interior.

What bread works best for cinnamon French toast?

Thick cut brioche, challah, or Texas toast work best because their sturdy texture holds up to soaking without falling apart. Day old bread absorbs custard better than fresh bread while maintaining structural integrity during cooking.

Your New Weekend Tradition

This cinnamon French toast recipe proves that the best breakfasts combine simple ingredients with proper technique to create something that brings families together around the table. The combination of warm cinnamon spice, custardy centers, and crispy golden edges creates a breakfast experience that makes ordinary mornings feel like special occasions worth celebrating.

Ready for more breakfast favorites? Try our French Toast Sticks for handheld fun that kids absolutely love, or explore our French Beignets for pillowy fried dough perfection. For crowd feeding ease, our Sheet Pan Pancakes deliver fluffy breakfast magic that feeds everyone at once without standing over the stove.

Share your beautiful creations! Tag us @HannahAndSproutKitchen with #CinnamonFrenchToast; we're dying to see your golden, syrupy results and hear about your favorite topping combinations!

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