French Toast Muffins are a delightful twist on the classic breakfast favorite, combining the rich, buttery goodness of brioche with the comforting flavors of cinnamon and vanilla. These little morsels boast a soft, custardy center and a perfectly crisp topping that makes each bite a delightful experience. Perfectly portable, they are ideal for busy mornings or enjoying with family on lazy weekends.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make French Toast Muffins
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
French Toast Muffins

The beauty of French Toast Muffins lies not only in their taste but also in their convenience. You can whip them up quickly, and they can be made in advance, allowing them to sit overnight and soak up all the delicious ingredients. There’s no fussing with separating egg mixtures or trying to flip oversized slices of bread. These muffins help you dodge breakfast chaos while delivering on flavor and presentation. You won’t find a more crowd-pleasing, budget-friendly breakfast option than these.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: With just 10 minutes of prep time, this recipe is perfect for mornings when you’re racing against the clock.
Irresistible Flavor: Each muffin is infused with the warm essence of cinnamon and vanilla, creating a comforting taste profile.
Eye-Catching Appeal: These muffins not only taste great but also present beautifully, making them an impressive addition to any brunch spread.
Flexible Serving: Enjoy them for breakfast, as a sweet snack, or bring them to parties—everyone will want to try one!
Diet-Friendly Options: With slight modifications, they can be made gluten-free or dairy-free, accommodating a variety of dietary needs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 loaf brioche bread (14 ounces): The star of the dish, brioche adds a rich buttery flavor that’s crucial for moist and tender muffins. If you don’t have brioche, challah works well too.
6 large eggs: These bind the ingredients together and help create that custardy texture. Ensure they’re at room temperature for easier mixing.
¼ cup light brown sugar: This adds a hint of caramel flavor to the muffins. You can substitute it with more granulated sugar if necessary, though the taste will differ slightly.
¼ cup granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and complements the richness of the brioche nicely. Again, adjust according to taste preferences.
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: A classic pairing with French toast, cinnamon imparts an aromatic warmth. Feel free to use pumpkin spice for a seasonal twist.
Pinch fine sea salt: Enhances the flavors and brings balance to the sweetness.
1 cup whole milk: Adds creaminess to the custard mixture; you may substitute with almond milk for a dairy-free version.
1 cup heavy cream: For an extra indulgent texture, the heavy cream helps create a luscious custard. You can replace it with half-and-half if you’d like.
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: A must-have for a fragrant, rich flavor. Always opt for pure extract for the best taste.
½ cup salted butter (softened): Used for the crumb topping and adds richness. If using unsalted butter, consider adding a pinch of salt.
½ cup light brown sugar: For the crumb topping, it meets the butter to form a sweet crunch.
½ cup all-purpose flour: This helps to form the streusel topping; you can use a gluten-free blend as a substitute.
1 teaspoon cinnamon: It adds the perfect spice to the crumb topping, enriching the overall flavor.
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt: Round out flavors in the topping, ensuring balance.

How to Make French Toast Muffins

Prep the Muffin Tins: Butter or grease two standard 12-cup muffin pans, or line them with paper liners for easy removal later.
Cut the Bread: Chop the brioche into ½-inch cubes, then transfer them to a large bowl that can accommodate the mix with room to stir.
Whisk the Egg Mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, ¼ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of fine sea salt until completely smooth.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Pour in 1 cup whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract into the egg mixture, whisking to combine thoroughly.
Mix with Bread: Pour the egg and milk mixture over the brioche cubes in the large bowl. Stir until the bread absorbs all the liquid, ensuring every piece is coated. Let this sit for about 5 minutes so the bread can soak up the goodness.
Fill the Muffin Tins: Using a measuring cup, portion out ¼ cup of the bread mixture into each well of the prepared muffin tins, filling them up to the top. You should yield about 20 muffins.
Chill Overnight: Cover the muffin pans tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for several hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to soak up the egg mixture.
Prepare the Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, combine ½ cup softened salted butter, ½ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt. Use a fork, pastry cutter, or your fingers to mix until you achieve coarse crumbs.
Refrigerate Topping: Transfer the crumb mixture to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator overnight alongside the muffins.
Preheat the Oven: When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
Top the Muffins: Pull the muffin pans and crumb topping from the refrigerator, and evenly sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of the crumb topping over each muffin.
Bake the Muffins: Place the muffin tins in the oven and bake for 24-28 minutes. They should be set and lightly golden brown on top when done. A toothpick inserted should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
Cool Before Serving: Allow the muffins to cool in the muffin pan for at least 10 minutes. They will puff up while baking and puff back down as they cool.
Serve: For the best experience, enjoy them warm with a pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Storing & Reheating

To keep your French Toast Muffins fresh, store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the muffins in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds; if they’ve been frozen, you might want to thaw them overnight in the fridge first. Note that while they will still be delicious, the texture may change slightly after freezing.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

When cutting the brioche, ensure your knife is sharp for clean cuts. This helps the bread absorb the egg mixture better.
Using room temperature eggs makes for easier whisking and leads to a fluffier texture in the muffins.
If you’re short on time, you can skip the overnight soak, but letting them sit elevates the flavor.
For a flavor boost, consider adding chocolate chips or fresh berries to the muffin mix before refrigerating.
Avoid overfilling the muffin tins—stick to the ¼ cup portion to maintain muffin shape and texture.

There’s so much to love about these little breakfast delights! Whether you’re having friends over for brunch or just looking for a treat to make your mornings a bit brighter, French Toast Muffins are sure to satisfy. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and toppings, and you may just find a new tradition in your home.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make French Toast Muffins gluten-free?

Absolutely! To make a gluten-free version, swap the brioche and all-purpose flour for gluten-free bread and a suitable gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure the bread is sturdy enough to hold together.

How do I prevent my muffins from becoming soggy?

To prevent sogginess, ensure the bread cubes are well-coated but not drowning in the egg mixture. Allowing them to sit in the refrigerator overnight will help them absorb the liquid without becoming too wet.

Can I prepare these muffins ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the muffin batter and crumb topping the night before. Just stay consistent with the chilling times to allow for thorough soaking.

What can I serve with French Toast Muffins?

These muffins pair well with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or even a side of crispy bacon or sausage for a delightful breakfast spread. Additionally, serving with maple syrup or flavored syrups can elevate the flavors further!

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French Toast Muffins

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 395 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
Yield: 22 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

These French Toast Muffins combine the flavors of traditional French toast in an easy-to-make muffin form. With a delightful mix of ingredients including brioche bread, eggs, and a touch of cinnamon, they are perfect for breakfast or brunch gatherings. Enjoy this homemade treat that promises to satisfy your taste buds with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

1 loaf brioche bread (14 ounces)
6 large eggs
¼ cup light brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch fine sea salt
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
½ cup salted butter (softened)
½ cup light brown sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

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Instructions

Butter or grease two standard 12-cup muffin pans, and set aside (or use liners).
Cut the bread into ½" cubes and transfer it to a large bowl.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth.
Whisk in the cream, milk, and vanilla extract.
Pour the egg and milk mixture over the bread pieces in the large bowl and stir until fully absorbed.
Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
Use a measuring cup to fill each muffin tin well with ¼ cup portions of the bread mixture (about 20 muffins total).
Cover the muffin pans tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Notes

For softer muffins, let them soak overnight in the refrigerator.
Feel free to add chocolate chips or nuts for extra flavor and texture.
Serve warm for a delightful treat.