Make this easy recipe for cinnamon brown sugar french toast in 15 minutes! Top with maple syrup, fresh berries, or powdered sugar for the perfect weekend treat.
This post was originally published in September 2017 and has been updated for content.
This easy french toast recipe has been a family favorite on the weekends for many years. The brown sugar, cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg in the custard gives the french toast a delicious caramelized flavor.
Serve this fluffy french toast recipe with a hearty slice of Hash Brown Quiche with Pancetta and rich and sweet Italian Hot Chocolate. It's also perfect for Christmas morning served up with your favorite Christmas Mimosas.
For a more hearty french toast, try my Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole!
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🥖 Ingredient notes
- Bread - Thick sliced bread that is a bit stale is the best bread for french toast. I love using leftover Italian bread or french bread. Texas toast, brioche, or challah also makes super delicious french toast.
- Custard - Half and half gives the custard a rich flavor and texture without being too heavy. For a more rich and decadent texture and flavor, use heavy cream instead. Alternatively, use whole milk, for a lighter, less rich custard.
- Seasonings - To give this french toast a warm, caramel flavor, brown sugar is added to the egg mixture, along with cinnamon and also nutmeg. White sugar can be used as a substitute but will change the flavor slightly.
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Dairy-Free - Substitute the half and half with unsweetened dairy-free milk. Oat milk and soy milk are my favorite to use as a substitute since they are creamier. Use a dairy-free butter substitute for cooking the french toast as well.
- Gluten-Free - Use thick sliced gluten-free bread. Some gluten-free bread can be flimsy, so make sure to pick one that has good structure to it.
- Flavored Bread - Try using flavored sweet bread, such as blueberry, cranberry walnut, or cinnamon raisin.
- French Toast Sticks - Slice the bread into 2-inch thick slices. Dip them in the egg mixture and then cook as directed.
🍓 Topping ideas for brown sugar french toast
- Maple syrup
- Fresh fruit or berries
- Chopped pecans, walnuts or sliced almonds
- Milk chocolate chips or white chocolate chips
- Powdered sugar
- Whipped cream
🥣 Step by step instructions
First, whisk together the eggs, half and half, brown sugar, cinnamon nutmeg, and salt in a shallow dish. Next, dip pieces of bread into the egg mixture, letting the bread soak up the custard.
Cook the french toast for for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Drizzle with maple syrup, add your favorite toppings, and then enjoy!
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⭐ Expert tips
- Let the bread sit out the night before to get stale so it soaks up the custard better. You will want to let the bread sit in the mixture for a bit to soak it up, but too long and it will start to fall apart. Thicker bread will hold up better than thinner slices.
- After dipping, let any excess custard mixture drip off the bread so the coating isn't too thick.
- I recommend using a cast iron griddle pan or electric griddle for the best crust on the french toast. Make sure to cook it no higher than medium heat, so it has time to cook the custard, without burning the sugar.
🥡 Storage suggestions
Keep leftover brown sugar french toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through.
This brown sugar french toast can be cooled and frozen on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Once the bread is completely frozen, it can be transferred to a freezer bag to be stored for up to two months.
🍳 More breakfast recipes
If you loved this easy recipe for cinnamon brown sugar french toast, then check out these other breakfast recipes that I know you will love too!
- The Best Nutella Pancake Recipe
- Buttery Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
- Lemon Flavored Dutch Baby with Fresh Blueberries
- Fluffy Maple Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
📖 Recipe
Cinnamon Brown Sugar French Toast Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup half and half
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- pinch kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 pieces bread, texas toast, italian bread, french bread, brioche or challah
Instructions
- Preheat a cast iron griddle pan or electric griddle over medium heat.
- In a shallow dish or bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk everything together using a fork or small whisk until the eggs are broken up and everything is combined.
- Melt the butter in the preheated pan or griddle, spreading it around to completely coat the bottom.
- Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, flipping it over to coat both sides and allowing it to soak up the custard.
- Let the excess custard drip off the bread before placing it on the pan or griddle to cook. Let the french toast cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Serve french toast with desired toppings and enjoy!
Notes
-
- French Toast Sticks - Slice the bread into 2-inch thick slices, then dip and cook as directed.
- Bread - Thick-sliced, stale bread will soak up the custard best. Leave the bread out the night before for best results. Flavored bread can also be used like blueberry, cranberry walnut, or cinnamon raisin. Gluten-free bread can be used, but pick one with a good structure so it doesn't fall apart.
- Custard - Use heavy cream for a thicker more rich custard or whole milk for a lighter, less rich custard.
- Dairy-Free - Substitute the half and half with unsweetened dairy-free milk. Oat milk and soy milk are my favorite to use as a substitute since they are creamier. Use a dairy-free butter substitute as well.
- Leftovers - Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on a pan over medium-low heat on the stovetop.
- Freeze - Freeze cooled french toast on a sheet pan lined with parchment, then transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to two months.
Devon Russell
I work for a group home, and my clients enjoy when I make french toast from this recipe, if they had it their way it would be this recipe everyday.
Amanda
That's awesome Devon, I'm so happy to hear that!
Elizabeth
I thought everyone added brownsugar to their french toast, I always have. I also add a little flour amd use heavy cream rather than milk.
Amanda
I always love adding brown sugar to french toast, it adds such a sweet caramelized flavor. Heavy cream would be good too!