Cinnamon Swirl French Toast
Thick slices of day-old bread soaked in a vanilla-cinnamon custard and cooked slowly in butter until the outside is crisp and the middle turns silky. This is the breakfast my kids request every single time they have a friend sleeping over.
- Course
- Breakfast
- Cuisine
- American
- Prep Time
- 20 min
- Cook Time
- 25 min
- Total Time
- 45 min
The Story Behind This Recipe
Cinnamon Swirl French Toast is one of those recipes I never planned to publish. It was scribbled inside a cookbook cover for years until enough people asked for it that I finally typed it out.
I have made it for a quiet Tuesday and for a table full of people, and it behaves the same either way, which is the highest compliment I give a recipe.
If there is a trick, it is patience with the browning. Every time I have rushed that step, the whole dish came out flatter than it should have.
Variation Ideas
- Swap in whole wheat flour for part of the white for more body.
- Top with fruit and yogurt instead of syrup.
- Double the batch and freeze portions for busy weekdays.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Heavy cream
- Full-fat coconut milk, or evaporated milk for a lighter sauce
- Butter
- Olive oil for savory dishes, or a good vegan stick for baking
- Milk
- Unsweetened oat or soy milk, which behave closest in cooking
- Maple syrup
- Honey, or brown sugar dissolved in a splash of water
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will this last?
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
What is the best way to reheat it?
Warm it gently — covered at 300°F or over low heat on the stove with a splash of liquid — until just heated through. Fast, high heat is what dries leftovers out.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Prep and refrigerate the components up to a day ahead, then combine and finish just before serving so nothing loses its texture.
It tastes flat — what should I do?
Salt and acid, in that order. A pinch more salt then a squeeze of lemon or splash of vinegar will usually sharpen everything back into focus.
Tools For This Recipe
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What to Serve With Cinnamon Swirl French Toast
Recipe Card
Cinnamon Swirl French Toast
By Marguerite Hale
- Course
- Breakfast
- Cuisine
- American
- Prep Time
- 20 min
- Cook Time
- 25 min
- Total Time
- 45 min
Ingredients
- 8 thick slices day-old brioche or challah
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, for the pan
- Maple syrup and powdered sugar, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a wide dish until no streaks of egg remain.
- 2
Soak each slice of bread for about 20 seconds per side — long enough to drink up the custard, short enough that it still holds its shape.
- 3
Melt a tablespoon of butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and cook the slices in batches, 3 to 4 minutes per side, until deeply golden.
- 4
Keep finished slices on a rack in a 200F oven while you work through the rest so nothing goes soggy.
- 5
Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and real maple syrup poured over the top.
Nutrition
Estimated per serving (4 servings per recipe).
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