Heavenly Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Recipe

Dreamy Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Recipe for Breakfast

Mornings sparkle with promise when warm cinnamon sugar french toast muffins fill your kitchen with irresistible aroma.

These delectable treats blend the classic comfort of french toast with the convenient charm of muffins.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of soft, tender crumb and sweet, caramelized edges.

Cinnamon swirls through the batter, creating pockets of warm, fragrant delight.

Breakfast transforms from ordinary to extraordinary with these simple yet elegant muffins.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, promising a morning meal that will make everyone smile.

Savor the magic of these muffins and start your day with a delicious celebration.

FAQs

  • Can I use different types of bread for this recipe?

Yes, you can use various bread types like brioche, challah, or day-old white bread. Avoid very soft or fresh bread as it might become too mushy when soaked in the custard.

  • Is it possible to make these muffins ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the muffins a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the oven at 350F for 5-7 minutes before serving to restore their crispy texture.

  • How can I prevent my muffins from becoming soggy?

Ensure you don’t oversoak the bread cubes and squeeze out excess liquid before adding them to the muffin tin. Also, use slightly stale or day-old bread for better absorption and texture.

  • Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the regular bread with gluten-free bread. Make sure to choose a sturdy gluten-free bread that can hold up to the soaking process.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 205 kcal

Servings: 13

Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffin Ingredients

For Custard Base:
  • Eggs: Essential for binding and creating fluffy texture, choose fresh farm eggs for richer flavor.
  • Milk: Provides creamy consistency, whole milk works best for luxurious mouthfeel.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps caramelization, opt for fine-grain sugar for smooth blending.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth, pure vanilla delivers more intense flavor.
  • Cinnamon: Brings signature warmth and aroma, freshly ground offers more potent taste.
  • Nutmeg: Enhances spice profile, use sparingly for subtle background note.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavor.
For Bread Component:
  • Bread Cubes: Transforms classic French toast into handheld treat, day-old bread works best for absorbing custard.
For Coating and Finishing:
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps cinnamon sugar adhere, unsalted butter recommended for better control.
  • Cinnamon Sugar: Creates irresistible crispy exterior, mix just before coating for maximum flavor.

Tools to Bake French Toast Muffins Right

  • Mixing Bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for whisking custard ingredients and soaking bread cubes.
  • Whisk: Essential for blending eggs, milk, and spices smoothly without lumps.
  • Muffin Tin: Standard 12-cup pan for baking muffins perfectly.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
  • Pastry Brush: Used for evenly coating muffins with melted butter.
  • Small Bowl: For mixing cinnamon sugar coating.
  • Cutting Board and Knife: To cube bread into even pieces.

Making Cinnamon Sugar Muffins From Scratch

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F and give your muffin tin a quick spray or line with cute paper cups.

  • Createal Custard

Grab a big bowl and whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and warming spices until they dance together smoothly.

  • Bath the Bread

Tumble bread pieces into the creamy mixture, letting them soak up all the delicious flavors for a few minutes.

  • Fill the Muffin Cups

Scoop the soaked bread into muffin spaces, pressing gently. Drizzle a touch of melted butter on top for extra yumminess.

  • Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the pan into the hot oven and bake until the tops turn a gorgeous golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.

  • Add Sparkly Coating

Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small dish. Brush each muffin with melted butter, then roll or sprinkle with the sweet dust.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Pull out your delightful creation and serve warm. Add a splash of maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feeling extra indulgent.

Tips to Level Up Your Muffins

  • Stale or day-old bread works perfectly for this recipe, helping reduce food waste and creating a more budget-friendly dish.
  • Prepare the muffins the night before, refrigerate, and bake in the morning for a quick and delicious breakfast that saves precious morning time.
  • Swap regular bread with gluten-free bread to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
  • Replace milk with almond, oat, or coconut milk, and use dairy-free butter alternatives to create a completely dairy-free version of these muffins.
  • Add a scoop of protein powder to the custard mixture or sprinkle chopped nuts on top to boost the protein content and make the muffins more filling.

Best Ways to Serve Cinnamon French Toast Muffins

  • Sweet Morning Indulgence: Dust these heavenly muffins with powdered sugar for an elegant breakfast touch that adds a delightful visual appeal and extra sweetness.
  • Breakfast Sidekick: Pair these cinnamon-coated treats with crispy bacon or scrambled eggs to create a balanced and satisfying morning meal that combines sweet and savory flavors.
  • Berry Bliss Topping: Garnish with fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries to introduce a fresh, tangy contrast that complements the rich, cinnamon-sugary muffins.
  • Decadent Drizzle: Enhance the muffins with a light maple syrup drizzle or a dollop of vanilla-infused whipped cream for an extra layer of indulgent breakfast excitement.

How to Store French Toast Muffins the Smart Way

  • Keep leftover muffins in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Wrap individual muffins in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best texture and taste.
  • Warm muffins in microwave for 15-20 seconds or in oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes. Add a quick sprinkle of fresh cinnamon sugar to revive original crispy exterior when reheating.
  • Prepare entire batch up to 24 hours before baking. Cover prepared muffin tin with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to bring to room temperature, ensuring even cooking and optimal texture.
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Heavenly Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Recipe

Heavenly Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Recipe


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4.7 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins blend classic breakfast flavors into a delightful handheld treat. Baked with a crisp cinnamon-sugar coating, these muffins offer a nostalgic morning comfort you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups day-old bread (brioche or French bread), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups milk (half-and-half)
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) melted butter
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tsps (10 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp (5 g) ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 g) nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp (5 g) ground cinnamon
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml) melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and coat a standard muffin tin with non-stick spray or cupcake liners.
  2. Custard Fusion: Whisk eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until a smooth, homogeneous mixture forms.
  3. Bread Infusion: Fold bread cubes into the custard, allowing them to soak and absorb flavors for approximately 8 minutes, ensuring complete liquid integration.
  4. Muffin Assembly: Distribute the soaked bread mixture into muffin cavities, pressing gently to create compact, structured muffins with minimal air pockets.
  5. Baking Preparation: Drizzle melted butter over each muffin to enhance richness and promote golden caramelization during the baking process.
  6. Baking Process: Bake in the preheated oven for 22-26 minutes, monitoring until the exterior achieves a bronzed appearance and the interior sets completely.
  7. Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish while muffins cool briefly.
  8. Final Touches: Brush warm muffins with melted butter, then roll or sprinkle generously with the cinnamon-sugar mixture to create a crisp, sweet exterior.
  9. Serving Suggestion: Present immediately, optionally accompanied by maple syrup, whipped cream, or fresh berries to elevate the breakfast experience.

Notes

Maximize Bread Absorption: Soak bread cubes thoroughly in custard for 7-8 minutes to ensure deep flavor penetration and optimal moisture retention.

Prevent Dry Texture: Avoid overmixing or overbaking by checking muffins at 22 minutes and removing when just set to maintain a soft, custardy interior.

Create Uniform Muffins: Press bread mixture gently but firmly into muffin cavities to eliminate air pockets and ensure consistent texture throughout each serving.

Enhance Flavor Coating: Use room temperature butter for coating and generously roll warm muffins in cinnamon-sugar mixture while still slightly hot to help sugar adhere perfectly.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 205
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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