Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Recipe
If you’re searching for a delicious and playful twist on classic brunch fare, look no further than these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins. Imagine the custardy comfort of French toast, baked golden and wrapped up in muffin form, with a crackly cinnamon sugar topping that makes each bite pure magic. They’re perfect for cozy weekends, festive brunch spreads, or simply adding a dose of fun to any morning. This recipe promises everything you love about French toast plus the convenience and charm of grab-and-go muffins. Once you try them, I guarantee they’ll become a go-to treat in your breakfast rotation!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins lies in their simple, crowd-pleasing ingredients. Each staple plays a key role: from the bread that forms the pillowy base, to the cinnamon and vanilla that create a warm, nostalgic aroma.
- Day-Old Bread (4 cups, cubed): Slightly stale brioche or French bread works best for extra absorbency and structure in the muffins.
- Eggs (4 large): Essential for binding; they create that custardy French toast texture inside each muffin.
- Milk (1 cup): Gives a creamy richness and helps soak the bread perfectly.
- Heavy Cream (1/4 cup): Adds extra decadence and moisture for melt-in-your-mouth centers.
- Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup): Gives subtle sweetness to balance the spices and elevate flavor.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses each bite with a bakery-style, aromatic warmth.
- Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Lends classic, fragrant spice—absolutely key in French toast anything!
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just a pinch enhances every other flavor and keeps things balanced.
- For the topping—Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup): Forms the crunchy, sparkly finish you’ll crave.
- For the topping—Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Boosts the sweet-spicy topping for that bakery-style bite.
- For the topping—Melted Butter (2 tablespoons): Helps the cinnamon sugar stick and brings a touch of buttery goodness to every muffin top.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Gather Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and either grease a 12-cup muffin pan or line it with paper liners. Having all your ingredients ready now makes the rest super-smooth—think of this step as your recipe’s warmup!
Step 2: Make the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is smooth and everything is fully incorporated. Your kitchen will already start to smell amazing at this point—vanilla and cinnamon can do wonders!
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Add your cubed bread into the custard and gently stir to coat every piece. Then, let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes so the bread can soak up all that luscious custard—that’s the secret to the irresistibly soft centers in these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins.
Step 4: Fill and Bake
Evenly divide the soaked bread mixture among your muffin cups, pressing down just a little to pack them in. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the muffins are puffed, golden, and set in the center. The aroma at this stage is a warm hug in the form of breakfast!
Step 5: Add the Cinnamon Sugar Topping
While the muffins are still warm, brush their tops generously with melted butter. Combine the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the topping, and either sprinkle this cinnamon sugar over each muffin or gently dip the tops right into the mixture. It creates that signature crackly shell and sweet, spicy finish.
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
Garnishes
For a beautiful finishing touch, try sifting a little powdered sugar over the muffins just before serving. You can also drizzle them with warm maple syrup, add a dollop of whipped cream, or scatter a few fresh berries on the platter for a splash of color and brightness.
Side Dishes
These muffins are wonderful alongside crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, or a fresh fruit salad. If you love brunch spreads as much as I do, consider adding a yogurt parfait with granola or a sweet-tart citrus salad for a refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins on a pretty cake stand or rustic wooden board, nestled among seasonal fruit and a few cinnamon sticks for flair. For special occasions, set up a “muffin bar” with little bowls of toppings like chocolate chips, toasted nuts, or flavored syrups to let everyone customize their own!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day, or refrigerate for up to three days. They stay moist and delicious, making them excellent for prepping ahead.
Freezing
These muffins freeze beautifully! Allow them to cool completely, then wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and pop them into a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to two months for a fast, homemade breakfast anytime.
Reheating
To reheat, unwrap a muffin and microwave it for 15–20 seconds (longer if frozen), or you can place them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 to 10 minutes. If you like, brush the tops with a little more butter and dust with extra cinnamon sugar before enjoying—it perks them right up!
FAQs
Can I use a different type Breakfast, Brunch
Absolutely! While day-old brioche or French bread is ideal for its texture and richness, you can use challah, sourdough, or any sturdy bread you have on hand—just avoid ultra-soft sandwich bread, which can get too mushy.
How do I prevent the muffins from sticking to the pan?
Either grease your muffin tin very thoroughly or use paper liners. If you’re making a large batch, silicone muffin pans are also a dream for easy removal!
Can I make these muffins dairy-free?
Yes! Swap in any non-dairy milk and use coconut cream or another plant-based alternative for the heavy cream. For the topping, a vegan butter or coconut oil works great.
What add-ins work well with this recipe?
Mini chocolate chips, chopped toasted pecans, or small diced apples make fantastic additions to the bread mixture before baking. Feel free to get creative and mix in your favorite extras!
Why is day-old bread better for French toast muffins?
Day-old bread soaks up more of the custard mixture without falling apart, resulting in a perfectly moist but not soggy muffin. Fresh bread tends to get too soft and loses that satisfying texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to bring a little extra joy to your mornings, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins a try. They’re easy, comforting, and sure to bring smiles at your breakfast table. Happy baking—let me know how yours turn out!
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Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins are a delightful twist on traditional French toast, baked into individual servings that are perfect for breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
Main Muffins:
- 4 cups cubed day-old bread (such as brioche or French bread)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the topping:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners.
- Prepare the custard mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Add the cubed bread and gently stir to coat. Let sit for 5–10 minutes to allow the bread to absorb the custard mixture.
- Fill the muffin cups: Divide the soaked bread evenly among the muffin cups, pressing down slightly.
- Bake: Bake for 22–25 minutes or until golden and set in the center.
- Add the topping: While still warm, brush the tops with melted butter, then sprinkle or dip in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Best with slightly stale bread for maximum soak.
- Add a handful of mini chocolate chips or chopped pecans for a twist.
- Serve warm with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
