If you have ever wished you could capture the warm, cozy flavors of your favorite breakfast in a handheld treat, then this Chewy French Toast Cookies Recipe is about to become your new obsession. These cookies perfectly blend cinnamon, maple, and a touch of nutmeg to recreate the essence of French toast with a delightfully chewy texture that keeps you coming back for more. Whether you’re craving a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or a breakfast cookie with a twist, these are easy to make and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is the first step to making these irresistible cookies. Each one plays a key role in bringing out the sweet, spiced flavors and that signature chewiness.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup/115g): Softened butter provides richness and tenderness to the cookie dough.
- Granulated sugar (â…“ cup/67g): Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps with browning.
- Light brown sugar (½ cup/100g): Contributes moisture and a subtle molasses flavor for that chewy texture.
- Large egg yolk (1): Brings moisture and helps bind the dough while keeping it soft.
- Light corn syrup (½ cup/120ml): This secret ingredient ensures chewy and chewy perfection.
- Pure vanilla extract (2 teaspoons/10ml): Lends a heavenly vanilla aroma that enhances all the other flavors.
- Maple extract (2 teaspoons/10ml) or pure maple syrup (1 tablespoon): Delivers that unmistakable maple note that echoes classic French toast.
- All-purpose flour (2â…“ cups/292g): The base that gives structure without sacrificing chewiness.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon/5g): Adds warmth and spice, key to the French toast flavor profile.
- Ground nutmeg (½ teaspoon/2.5g): Offers a gentle nutty note that deepens the flavor.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon/5g): Helps the cookies rise and become tender.
- Salt (ÂĽ teaspoon/1.25g): Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Granulated sugar for rolling (ÂĽ cup/50g): Coats the dough balls to create a sparkling, slightly crunchy outer layer.
How to Make Chewy French Toast Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and release easily, setting you up for perfect results from the very beginning.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is soft, fluffy, and light in color. This is where the magic begins, introducing air that gives the cookies a nice lift and delicate crumb.
Step 3: Mix in the Wet Ingredients
Next, blend in the egg yolk, light corn syrup, vanilla extract, and maple extract (or maple syrup). The corn syrup is your chewy secret weapon, while the maple and vanilla extracts layer in those gorgeous, authentic flavors that make these cookies shine.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. This evenly distributes the spices and leavening agents, ensuring every bite has that balanced, spicy sweetness.
Step 5: Form the Dough
Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth, soft dough forms. The dough should be pliable yet firm enough to hold its shape when scooped.
Step 6: Roll the Dough Balls in Sugar
Scoop out roughly 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) balls of dough and roll each one in the extra granulated sugar. This adds a delightful sparkle and a touch of crunch on the outside, contrasting with the soft, chewy center.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Place your sugared dough balls about 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges look set but the centers remain soft. This balance is key to the chewy texture that makes this Chewy French Toast Cookies Recipe so irresistible.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming too fragile and helps the centers finish setting perfectly.
How to Serve Chewy French Toast Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle these cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of warm maple glaze to enhance their French toast flair. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream can also add a lovely pop of color and freshness.
Side Dishes
Pairing your Chewy French Toast Cookies with a cup of coffee or steamed milk makes a splendid breakfast or snack. They also work beautifully alongside creamy yogurt or a bowl of fresh fruit for a balanced and delicious treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings or gifts, stack these cookies in clear jars tied with a rustic ribbon. You can even serve them sandwich-style with a bit of cream cheese frosting or mascarpone in the middle for an extra indulgent twist that everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. This keeps them soft and chewy without drying out or losing their signature flavors.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies by placing them in a sealed freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cookies, thaw them at room temperature or gently warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. This refreshes the chewiness and enhances the flavors beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use regular syrup instead of corn syrup?
While you can substitute maple syrup or honey, light corn syrup is preferred because it helps maintain the cookie’s chewy texture by preventing crystallization. Using alternatives might result in a slightly different texture but still tasty cookies.
Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that’s suitable for baking. Just be sure it contains xanthan gum or an equivalent binder to keep the chewy texture intact.
Can I add nuts or fruit to the dough?
Yes, chopped pecans or walnuts add a wonderful crunch, and dried cranberries or raisins bring a delicious tartness that complements the spiced flavors beautifully. Just fold them into the dough before rolling in sugar.
How do I make these cookies less sweet?
You can reduce the granulated and brown sugars slightly, but keep the corn syrup and extracts the same to ensure the texture and flavor remain balanced. Taste your dough as you go if you want to adjust the sweetness precisely.
Why do my cookies spread too much?
If your dough is too warm or the butter too soft when mixed, the cookies may spread excessively. Try chilling the dough for 15 to 30 minutes before rolling and baking to help them hold their shape better during baking.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Chewy French Toast Cookies Recipe a try and fall in love just like I did. It’s such a delightful, cozy treat with all the nostalgia of French toast wrapped up in cookie form. Whether for breakfast, dessert, or a snack, these cookies will brighten your day with their chewy, spiced goodness. Enjoy baking and sharing them with your favorite people!
Print
Chewy French Toast Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chewy French Toast Cookies combine the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple with a soft, chewy texture reminiscent of classic French toast. Perfectly spiced and sweetened, these cookies offer a delightful treat that captures the essence of breakfast in a handheld form.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- â…“ cup (67g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ cup (120ml) light corn syrup
- 2 teaspoons (10ml) pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons (10ml) maple extract (or 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup)
Dry Ingredients
- 2â…“ cups (292g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (5g) ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon (2.5g) ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon (5g) baking soda
- ÂĽ teaspoon (1.25g) salt
- ÂĽ cup (50g) granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and well combined, creating a creamy base for the dough.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the egg yolk, light corn syrup, pure vanilla extract, and maple extract (or pure maple syrup). Mix thoroughly until these wet ingredients are fully incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture, ensuring a smooth consistency.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. This evenly distributes the spices and leavening agent.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently but thoroughly until a smooth and cohesive dough forms, ready for shaping.
- Roll in Sugar: Using a scoop or your hands, form 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) dough balls. Roll each dough ball in the ÂĽ cup of granulated sugar to coat them evenly, adding a slight crunch and sweetness to the exterior.
- Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches (5 cm) apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the cookies are set on the edges but remain soft and chewy in the center.
- Cool & Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to set further. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving to enjoy the perfect chewy texture.
Notes
- For a stronger maple flavor, use pure maple syrup instead of maple extract.
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with the sugars.
- Do not overbake to maintain the chewy texture; cookies should look slightly underdone in the center when removed.
- Sugar coating adds a sweet crunch and enhances the cookie’s golden exterior.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
