If you’ve ever craved the magic of French toast but wished it was easier to serve (and a little less messy), French Toast Muffins are about to become your new breakfast bestie. Imagine rich, custardy bread cubes kissed with cinnamon and vanilla, all baked up perfectly golden in muffin form. These single-serve delights capture the heart of classic French toast, but bundle it up in a cozy, grab-and-go package that’s perfect for lazy Sundays, celebratory brunch spreads, or any morning craving a little extra warmth. With a maple drizzle or fluff of powdered sugar on top, these French Toast Muffins are pure comfort, reimagined.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how a handful of everyday pantry staples can work culinary wonders. Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in building flavor, texture, and that irresistible golden color in your muffins.
- Bread (6 cups cubed, day-old brioche or French preferred): Using slightly stale bread helps it soak up all the custard, making each muffin moist yet sturdy.
- Large Eggs (4): Acts as the backbone of the custard, binding everything together—don’t skimp!
- Whole Milk (1 1/2 cups): Gives the batter richness while keeping the texture silky smooth.
- Heavy Cream (1/4 cup): Adds an extra creamy layer for that luscious, melt-in-the-mouth bite.
- Brown Sugar (1/4 cup): Brings subtle caramel notes, making the muffins extra fragrant.
- Granulated Sugar (2 tablespoons): Balances the flavors and gives a little extra sweetness.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons): The spice that makes French toast taste unmistakably cozy.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out all the flavors with its warm, aromatic sweetness.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just a pinch brightens the sweetness and amplifies the overall flavor.
- Powdered Sugar or Maple Syrup (for serving): Choose your favorite for a finishing touch—it’s the crowning glory!
How to Make French Toast Muffins
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that as soon as your French Toast Muffins hit the oven, they’ll start baking evenly for a beautiful golden finish. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper liners so each muffin pops out effortlessly later.
Step 2: Whisk the Custard
Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. This creamy, spiced custard mixture is the backbone of your muffins, transforming humble bread cubes into something luxurious and deeply flavored.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Add your bread cubes to the custard bowl and gently turn them with a spatula or big spoon, ensuring every piece gets soaked. Let them rest for 5–10 minutes so each bread cube drinks up all that cinnamon-vanilla goodness—this is key for ultimate moisture!
Step 4: Fill and Shape
Spoon the custard-soaked bread evenly into the muffin tin. Gently press down on each mound with the back of a spoon; this helps the muffins hold their shape and bake up beautifully dense and moist, just like traditional French toast.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place the filled muffin tin in the oven and bake for 25–28 minutes. As your kitchen fills with the warm scent of cinnamon and vanilla, watch for the tops to turn golden and the centers to set. Once ready, let them cool for five minutes—just enough so you don’t burn your fingers pulling out your first warm French Toast Muffin!
How to Serve French Toast Muffins
Garnishes
For bakery-window appeal, dust each French Toast Muffin liberally with powdered sugar or drizzle with warm maple syrup right before serving. If you’re feeling extra fancy, try a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, or even a scattering of fresh berries for a burst of color.
Side Dishes
French Toast Muffins love a little company on the breakfast table. Serve with crisp bacon or sizzling sausage links for a savory contrast. Fresh fruit salad or creamy Greek yogurt on the side rounds out your morning with both color and balance.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping brunch, stack the muffins on a pretty cake stand or arrange them in a basket lined with a festive napkin. For special occasions, set up a “muffin bar” with toppings like fruit compote, chocolate chips, or whipped cream and let everyone customize their own French Toast Muffin masterpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow end up with leftover French Toast Muffins (good luck—they tend to disappear fast), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and moist for up to 3 days, making them a perfect grab-and-go breakfast or snack.
Freezing
French Toast Muffins freeze beautifully! Once completely cool, wrap individual muffins or store them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months, ready for those busy mornings when you need a homemade treat in a hurry.
Reheating
To reheat, just pop a muffin in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds, or warm in a toaster oven at 300°F until heated through. If you want that just-baked taste, sprinkle a tiny bit of water on top before reheating to help restore moisture.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Breakfast
Absolutely! While brioche or French bread gives the richest results, you can experiment with challah, Texas toast, or even sandwich bread. Just make sure it’s slightly stale so it absorbs the custard well.
What add-ins work well with these muffins?
Try mixing in raisins, chopped pecans, walnuts, or mini chocolate chips before baking. These little extras make each bite fun and uniquely flavorful—consider your family’s favorites!
Are French Toast Muffins kid-friendly?
Definitely! Kids love the hand-held size and sweet, cinnamon flavor. Plus, they’ll have a blast helping coat the bread cubes and sprinkling on toppings after baking.
Can I make French Toast Muffins dairy-free?
Yes, swap out the milk and cream for your favorite unsweetened non-dairy alternatives, and ensure your bread is dairy-free. The texture may be a little lighter, but the muffins will still be absolutely delicious.
How do I know when the muffins are fully baked?
The tops should be golden and spring back slightly when touched. A tester inserted into the center of a muffin should come out mostly clean, with no liquid custard remaining.
Final Thoughts
Breakfast should be something you genuinely look forward to, and French Toast Muffins fit the bill every single time. Try them once, and you’ll see why they’re the go-to treat for cozy mornings and celebratory brunches alike. Gather your ingredients, invite a friend, and let these delightful muffins work their cinnamon-swirled magic on your kitchen!
Print
French Toast Muffins Recipe
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These French Toast Muffins are a delightful twist on the classic breakfast favorite. With a custardy interior and a golden top, these individual servings are perfect for a cozy morning treat.
Ingredients
Bread Mixture:
- 6 cups cubed day-old bread (brioche or French bread preferred)
Custard:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For Serving:
- powdered sugar or maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugars, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
- Soak Bread: Add cubed bread to the custard mixture, coat well, and let sit to soak.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide bread mixture into muffin cups and press down lightly.
- Bake: Bake for 25–28 minutes until golden and set.
- Serve: Let cool, then dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with maple syrup.
Notes
- You can customize by adding nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips.
- These muffins freeze well for easy reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
