This easy cinnamon French toast is golden and crisp around the edges, soft and custardy in the center, and filled with warm cinnamon and vanilla flavor. It’s made with simple ingredients and comes together quickly, making it perfect for a cozy weekend breakfast.
Serve it with butter, maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a classic homemade breakfast the whole family will enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This French Toast
- Easy to make in about 20 minutes
- Uses simple everyday ingredients
- Golden edges with a soft center
- Perfect for weekend breakfast
- Family-friendly
- Easy to customize
- Great for using slightly stale bread
- Delicious with sweet or fresh toppings
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick-cut bread
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter, for cooking
For Serving
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh strawberries
- Fresh blueberries
- Sliced bananas
- Butter
How to Make Cinnamon French Toast
1. Prepare the Egg Mixture
In a shallow baking dish or wide bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the cinnamon is evenly distributed.
A shallow dish makes it easier to dip the bread evenly.
2. Prepare the Bread
Thick-cut bread works best for French toast because it can absorb the custard without falling apart.
If your bread is very fresh and soft, leave the slices uncovered for a few hours so they can dry slightly.
Day-old bread is especially good for this recipe.
3. Heat the Skillet
Place a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
Add about 1 tablespoon of butter and allow it to melt.
The butter should become foamy but shouldn’t burn.
4. Dip the Bread
Place one slice of bread into the egg mixture.
Let it soak for approximately 10 to 15 seconds per side.
Don’t leave the bread submerged for too long because it can become overly soft and difficult to handle.
Lift the bread carefully and allow excess custard to drip back into the dish.
5. Cook the French Toast
Place the soaked bread into the hot skillet.
Cook for approximately 2 to 3 minutes on the first side, until golden brown.
Carefully flip it and cook the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes.
The center should be cooked through while remaining soft and tender.
Repeat with the remaining slices.
Add more butter to the skillet between batches as needed.
6. Serve
Transfer the French toast to a serving plate.
Top with butter, powdered sugar, fresh berries, and warm maple syrup.
Serve immediately while the edges are crisp and the center is warm.
What Bread Is Best for French Toast?
Thick, sturdy bread works best because it can absorb the custard without becoming mushy.
Some excellent options include:
- Brioche
- Challah
- Texas toast
- French bread
- Sourdough
- Thick-cut white bread
Brioche and challah create an especially rich and tender French toast.
Should I Use Fresh or Stale Bread?
Slightly stale bread is generally better.
Fresh bread contains more moisture, so it can become too soft when soaked in the egg mixture.
If you’re using fresh bread, leave the slices uncovered for a few hours or lightly toast them before making the French toast.
Tips for Perfect French Toast
Use thick bread. Thin slices can become too soft.
Don’t oversoak. Let the bread absorb the custard without becoming saturated.
Cook over medium heat. High heat can burn the outside before the center is cooked.
Use butter between batches. It adds flavor and helps create a golden crust.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Cook in batches if necessary.
Keep finished slices warm. Place cooked French toast on a wire rack in a 200°F oven while finishing the rest.
Why Is My French Toast Soggy?
French toast can become soggy when the bread absorbs too much custard.
Very soft fresh bread can also contribute to a soggy center.
Use slightly stale thick-cut bread and soak it just long enough to absorb the mixture.
Cooking at medium heat also helps the custard cook properly without burning the outside.
Why Is My French Toast Dry?
Dry French toast may be caused by using very thin bread, not soaking it enough, or cooking it too long.
Thick bread and a balanced egg-to-milk ratio help create the soft center that makes good French toast.
Easy French Toast Variations
Vanilla French Toast
Skip the cinnamon and nutmeg and increase the vanilla to 1 1/2 teaspoons.
Berry French Toast
Serve the finished French toast with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and maple syrup.
Banana French Toast
Top with sliced bananas and chopped walnuts.
Cinnamon Sugar French Toast
Sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over the finished slices while they’re still warm.
Stuffed French Toast
Spread softened cream cheese or mascarpone between two slices before dipping them into the custard.
Apple Cinnamon French Toast
Top with warm sautéed apples, cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Chocolate French Toast
Add a small amount of cocoa powder to the custard and serve with sliced strawberries.
Can I Make French Toast Ahead of Time?
Yes.
Cooked French toast can be refrigerated and reheated later.
However, freshly cooked French toast generally has the best texture.
For meal prep, allow the cooked slices to cool completely before storing them.
Can I Freeze French Toast?
Yes.
Allow the cooked French toast to cool completely.
Place slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
Transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment paper between the slices.
Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat directly from frozen in a toaster, toaster oven, or oven.
How to Keep French Toast Warm
Place cooked slices on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
Keep them in a 200°F oven while you finish cooking.
The wire rack allows air to circulate around the French toast and helps prevent the bottom from becoming soggy.
Best Toppings for French Toast
There are plenty of ways to serve French toast.
Try:
- Maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Butter
- Fresh strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Bananas
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Whipped cream
- Greek yogurt
- Honey
For a classic breakfast, warm maple syrup and a little butter are all you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular sandwich bread?
Yes, although thicker bread generally gives better results. If using regular sandwich bread, reduce the soaking time.
Can I use almond milk?
Yes. Unsweetened almond milk can replace whole milk, although the finished French toast may be slightly less rich.
Can I make French toast without heavy cream?
Absolutely. Replace the heavy cream with additional whole milk.
Why does my cinnamon sink to the bottom?
Cinnamon doesn’t dissolve completely in liquid. Whisk the custard well immediately before dipping each batch of bread.
Can I make French toast without sugar?
Yes. The sugar can be reduced or omitted, especially if you’re planning to serve the French toast with sweet toppings.
How do I know when French toast is cooked?
The outside should be golden brown and the center should feel soft but set rather than wet.
Recipe Card
Easy Cinnamon French Toast
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: American
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick-cut bread
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a shallow dish.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt butter.
- Dip each bread slice into the custard for about 10 to 15 seconds per side.
- Let excess mixture drip off.
- Place bread in the skillet.
- Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Repeat with remaining bread.
- Serve warm with butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh berries.
Final Thoughts
French toast is one of those breakfasts that feels special without requiring much work.
With thick bread, a simple cinnamon-vanilla custard, and a little butter in the skillet, you can turn basic ingredients into a warm and comforting breakfast in just minutes.
I especially love serving it with fresh berries and plenty of warm maple syrup on slow weekend mornings.
From my kitchen to yours, enjoy! ❤️
— Mary