If you’re yearning for that cozy, melt-in-your-mouth breakfast treat, look no further than these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins. Imagine everything you love about classic French toast—soft, custardy bread, fragrant cinnamon, and sweet sugar—all bundled up in a handheld muffin that’s perfect for sharing or savoring solo. Whether you’re planning a special brunch or just want to bring a little joy to a weekday morning, these muffins are the sweet, spiced upgrade your breakfast routine needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need any fancy ingredients to make Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins. Each element plays a starring role in making these muffins perfectly fluffy, flavorful, and irresistible, so don’t skimp on quality where you can help it!
- Day-old bread: Using slightly stale bread cubes ensures your muffins are satisfying and never soggy, soaking up the custard without falling apart.
- Large eggs: Eggs bind everything together, creating that classic, creamy French toast texture.
- Whole milk: The milk helps make the custard luxuriously rich; whole milk is best for flavor and consistency.
- Heavy cream: Adds extra creaminess for a truly decadent breakfast treat.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard just right, caramelizing beautifully in the oven.
- Vanilla extract: Don’t skip this! Vanilla rounds out the flavors and gives warmth to every bite.
- Ground cinnamon: Essential for both the batter and the sugary coating, it’s what makes these muffins sing.
- Salt: Just a pinch sharpens all the sweet flavors and brings balance.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps the cinnamon-sugar coating stick perfectly.
- Granulated sugar (for coating): Rolling the baked muffins in sugar gives them delicious crunch and sparkle.
- Ground cinnamon (for coating): This last dusting of spice makes the muffins look and taste amazing.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
Step 1: Prepare Your Muffin Tin and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin well, making sure to get into every nook and cranny. This little step guarantees your Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins come out easily, with those beautiful golden edges intact.
Step 2: Mix the Custard
In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Be generous with your whisking! You want the custard to be completely smooth so each bread piece gets coated with that sweet, spiced mixture.
Step 3: Soak the Bread Cubes
Add your cubes of day-old bread to the bowl. Gently toss everything together until all the bread pieces are well coated and beginning to absorb the liquid. Let this mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes—this soak is what gives the Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins their soft, almost pudding-like center.
Step 4: Fill and Bake
Spoon the bread mixture evenly into the muffin tin. Press each portion lightly to compact the mixture, helping the muffins hold together as they bake. Pop them in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and set in the center. The smell of cinnamon drifting through your kitchen is the first sign you’re close to breakfast magic.
Step 5: Coat with Cinnamon Sugar
While the muffins bake, mix your coating sugar and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Once the muffins are done, let them cool for five minutes in the pan, then gently remove each one. Brush the tops with melted butter, and roll them generously in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until every side is glistening. Serve your Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins while they’re warm and fragrant!
How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins
Garnishes
For a simple yet stunning presentation, dust your muffins with a little extra cinnamon sugar just before serving. If you want to get fancy, add a drizzle of maple syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of fresh berries. These garnishes add flavor, color, and that irresistible bakery look!
Side Dishes
Pair your Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins with fresh fruit salad, crispy bacon, or scrambled eggs for a complete brunch spread. They’re sweet and satisfying on their own, but an array of sides turns breakfast into a feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking muffins on a cake stand for a brunch buffet, or pack them into cute bakery boxes for breakfast on the go. Mini muffin versions are perfect for a baby shower or coffee morning, and you can always set up a topping bar with syrups, jams, and nuts for a playful DIY twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let the muffins cool completely before storing them. Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for up to four days. The coating will stay pleasantly crisp if you store them in a single layer.
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead, freeze fully cooled Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins in a freezer-safe zip bag for up to two months. For best results, wait to coat with cinnamon sugar after thawing and reheating, so they stay beautifully crisp.
Reheating
Warm muffins in the oven at 325°F until heated through, or microwave on low in ten second bursts. To revive the freshly-baked texture and re-crisp the sugar coating, try a minute or two in the toaster oven. Always add a fresh brush of butter and a roll in cinnamon sugar if you want them extra special.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Breakfast, Dessert
Absolutely! Brioche, challah, or even sturdy white sandwich bread will all work. Just make sure it’s slightly stale or day-old, so it can soak up the custard without getting mushy.
Is it possible to make these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the milk and cream with your favorite non-dairy alternatives like almond or oat milk, and use a plant-based butter for coating. The results will still be delightful, just a little lighter.
Can I prepare the mixture the night before?
Definitely! Simply soak the bread in the custard, cover, and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, just give the mixture a quick stir, fill your muffin tin, and bake as directed.
Why do my muffins sometimes stick to the pan?
It’s crucial to grease every part of the muffin tin really well. If you’re worried, use paper liners or a silicone muffin pan for a worry-free release.
What’s the best way to keep them warm for guests?
After baking, keep the Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins loosely covered with foil on a low oven (about 200°F). Brush with butter and roll in cinnamon sugar right before serving so their texture stays perfect.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about waking up to the scent of cinnamon and sugar wafting from the kitchen. Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins are the breakfast treat your mornings deserve, with the perfect balance of comfort and a hint of decadence. Give them a try—you’ll fall in love bite after bite!
Print
Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delicious flavors of French toast in a convenient muffin form with these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, these muffins are easy to make and a delightful treat for the whole family.
Ingredients
Bread Cubes:
- 1 loaf (about 16 ounces) day-old bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
Custard Mixture:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Coating:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Mix Custard: Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Add bread cubes, toss to coat, and let soak.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide mixture among cups, press down slightly, and bake for 25–30 minutes.
- Coat Muffins: Mix sugar and cinnamon, brush muffins with butter, and roll in the sugar mixture.
- Serve: Let cool slightly and serve warm.
Notes
- Drizzle with maple syrup or glaze for extra sweetness.
- Prepare the night before for an easy morning bake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
