Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins: A Sweet and Cozy Morning Delight

There’s something timeless about French toast. Whether it’s the warm, egg-soaked bread, the delicate sweetness of syrup, or the comforting aroma that fills the house while it’s cooking, French toast has a special place in breakfast traditions. But what if you could enjoy that same indulgent flavor and texture in a portable, bite-sized form? Enter Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins. These muffins deliver all the delicious flavors of classic French toast but with the added convenience and ease of a muffin.

Print

Perfect for a sweet breakfast, brunch treat, or even as a dessert, these muffins bring the cozy vibes of French toast to a whole new level. They’re soft, tender, and just the right amount of sweet, with a delightful cinnamon-sugar topping that adds a perfect crunch. Whether you’re rushing out the door or leisurely enjoying a morning at home, these muffins are a delightful way to kickstart your day.

In this article, we’ll walk you through each step of making these irresistible muffins, from preparing the bread to baking the perfect batch. We’ll also share tips for ingredient substitutions, variations, and serving suggestions to help you make this recipe your own. Let’s dive into the world of cinnamon-sugar goodness and explore how to make these delightful muffins!

Ingredients Breakdown

To make Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Muffins:

• 4 cups (about 4 slices) day-old bread, cubed
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Each ingredient serves a specific purpose in creating the perfect muffin texture and flavor. Let’s break down the roles of each component in this recipe:

Day-Old Bread: Using day-old bread is key in this recipe. Fresh bread will likely become too soggy when soaked in the custard mixture. Day-old bread holds up better and soaks up the custard without losing its structure. For the best results, use a thick-sliced, hearty white bread, like challah or brioche, but any bread you have on hand will work just fine. The bread provides the base and texture for the muffin, giving it the familiar soft center and slightly crispy edges that French toast is known for.

Eggs, Milk, and Heavy Cream: These three ingredients create the rich, velvety custard that forms the heart of the muffin. Eggs help bind the ingredients together, while the milk and heavy cream contribute to the soft, fluffy texture. The cream adds extra richness, while the milk ensures the custard isn’t too heavy. This mixture coats the bread cubes, ensuring every bite is flavorful and moist, with that signature French toast taste.

Granulated Sugar: A small amount of sugar in the custard helps sweeten the muffins without overwhelming the cinnamon flavor. The sugar adds a bit of sweetness to the custard and helps with the caramelization during baking.

Vanilla Extract: The vanilla extract adds a depth of flavor that complements the cinnamon and sugar, enhancing the overall sweetness and aroma of the muffins.

Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon is the spice that gives French toast its distinctive flavor. Here, it’s used in both the custard and the cinnamon-sugar topping, making each bite full of cozy, warm notes.

For the topping, we have a simple yet irresistible mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and butter. This forms the perfect crunch on top of each muffin, creating a satisfying texture contrast with the soft, custard-soaked bread inside.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Bread: Start by cutting your bread into cubes. The size of the cubes should be about 1 inch, and you’ll need around 4 cups of bread. Day-old bread is ideal for this recipe because it’s slightly dried out, which allows it to soak up the custard mixture without getting too soggy. If you don’t have day-old bread, you can toast fresh bread lightly in the oven to dry it out a bit.

2. Make the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until everything is well combined. The mixture should be smooth and slightly frothy. Make sure the cinnamon is evenly distributed in the custard—this is what will give the muffins their signature French toast flavor. Don’t skip the vanilla, as it’s essential for balancing the sweetness and spice of the muffins.

3. Soak the Bread: Once your custard is ready, add the cubed bread to the bowl. Stir gently to ensure all the bread pieces are soaked in the custard. Let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes. The bread will absorb the custard, becoming soft and tender. The longer it sits, the more custard the bread will soak up, making the muffins richer. You can stir the mixture occasionally to make sure all the bread is soaked evenly.

4. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is perfect for baking the muffins to a golden-brown perfection. While the oven is heating up, grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper muffin liners. This will ensure the muffins don’t stick to the tin and are easy to remove once baked.

5. Fill the Muffin Tin: After the bread has soaked up the custard, evenly divide the mixture into the muffin tin. You should have enough to fill all 12 cups. Press down lightly on the mixture to compact it and ensure the bread is evenly distributed. Don’t worry about making it perfect—just ensure that the mixture is divided as evenly as possible so that each muffin bakes consistently.

6. Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the topping. This simple yet powerful combination is what gives these muffins their signature sweet and spicy crunch. Once the mixture is ready, drizzle the melted butter over the top of each muffin. Then, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar topping generously over the muffins, making sure to coat each one evenly. The butter helps the sugar adhere to the muffins and promotes caramelization while baking.

7. Bake the Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The muffins should be golden brown on top and firm to the touch. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of one muffin. If it comes out clean, the muffins are ready. The cinnamon-sugar topping will have caramelized into a delightful, slightly crispy crust.

8. Cool and Serve: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely or serve them warm. These muffins are delicious both ways, but the warm, freshly baked muffins with their cinnamon-sugar crust are especially irresistible. If desired, drizzle with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

Tips and Variations

• Bread Options: You can use any type of bread you like, though thick slices of white bread or challah are the best choices for a soft, fluffy texture. Whole wheat bread or even cinnamon-raisin bread can add a unique twist.
• Spice Variations: While cinnamon is the main spice in this recipe, you can experiment with other spices like nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger to customize the flavor. A pinch of allspice or pumpkin pie spice would also be lovely.
• Dairy-Free Option: To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the whole milk and heavy cream with almond milk, coconut milk, or any other plant-based milk. Use dairy-free butter for the topping as well.
• Add-ins: Add-ins like chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) can be mixed into the bread cubes for extra flavor and texture. You can also add a handful of fresh or frozen berries to the muffin mixture before baking for a fruity burst.
• Make Ahead: These muffins can be prepared the night before. Simply assemble everything, cover the muffin tin, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat the oven and bake the muffins as directed.
• Freezing: These muffins freeze well! If you want to make a large batch, freeze the muffins in an airtight container for up to one month. To reheat, place them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

These Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins are versatile and pair well with a variety of sides and toppings. Serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup for extra sweetness. Fresh fruit like berries or sliced bananas adds a refreshing contrast to the rich, spiced muffins. For a savory twist, pair them with crispy bacon or sausage to balance the sweetness.

These muffins also make a fantastic addition to a brunch spread, alongside other treats like scrambled eggs, quiche, or fresh fruit salad. Or, enjoy them as a special breakfast treat on a lazy weekend morning, paired with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

Conclusion

Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins are the perfect combination of sweet, warm, and comforting—just like classic French toast, but in a convenient, bite-sized form. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast or an indulgent treat for a special occasion, these muffins deliver in flavor and texture. They’re soft, fluffy, and bursting with cinnamon-sugar goodness in every bite. With a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of French toast in a whole new way. So why not give this recipe a try? These muffins are sure to become a favorite in your breakfast rotation. Happy baking!