Gingerbread French Toast ~ the simple addition of molasses and a few spices transforms plain French toast into something worth lingering over.
I’m not sure why anybody would bother to make plain French toast when you can make gingerbread French toast. It’s basically the same rich custard soaked bread griddled to crispy perfection and served with butter and maple syrup ~ but with a few tweaks that take it over the top.
what you’ll need for gingerbread French toast
- brioche bread
- eggs
- half and half
- confectioner’s sugar
- molasses
- ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves
the bread
It’s basically up to you but I strongly suggest thickly sliced brioche bread. Brioche bread is a rich, tender, and slightly sweet French bread made with a high proportion of eggs, butter, and sugar, resulting in a soft, golden-colored loaf with a delicate flavor and flaky crust. See where I’m going here? It was made for French toast, and makes gingerbread French toast even more holiday worthy.
tips for making the best gingerbread French toast
- If you can, use an electric griddle. This tool gives you lots of space to work, and allows you to cook multiple servings at a time. Plus you can set a precise temperature ~ 375F for French toast.
- Don’t over soak your bread. I do 10 full seconds per side, that’s it. You don’t want soggy French toast.
- If you need to keep slices of gingerbread French toast warm while you finish up, place them on a baking sheet in a 275F oven loosely covered with foil.
- To get a head start you can whisk together the batter the night before and refrigerate. Then soak and griddle in the morning.
why we love it
The flavor in this gingerbread French toast is subtle with plenty of holiday spirit.
Making the custard batter the night before is perfect for busy holiday mornings.
You can use day old bread, or change up the recipe using different types of bread.
Gingerbread French Toast
Ingredients
- 8 slices brioche bread
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 Tbsp molasses
- 2 Tbsp confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- Whisk the eggs well, be sure to get them completely broken up. Add the half and half, molasses, sugar, and spices.
- If using an electric griddle preheat it to 375F. If using a stove top pan, preheat over medium to medium high heat. Lightly oil your surface.
- Soak each slice of bread for about 10 seconds per side. Cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until golden browned on each side. Keep the heat on medium so that the bread has a chance to cook through before it gets too browned on the outside.
- Serve asap with butter and pure maple syrup.
more holiday morning ideas
- Eggnog Streusel French Toast Casserole
- Pumpkin Crunch Sheet Pan Pancakes
- Baked Eggs Florentine
- Glazed Gingerbread Bundt Cake
I’ve been making this French toast for I don’t know how many years, probably ever since you first published it. It’s part of our family’s Christmas tradition, thank you!
Lovely breakfast idea. I am so disappointed I didn’t get to bake more gingerbread during the holidays. So many recipes, so little time. This looks amazing!
french toast is one of those things that i like but don’t love, but this version is special!
Well, I was going to make eggnog French Toast tomorrow, but found out my husband used up all the eggnog, so this sounds like it will move into first place!
Your French toast looks just scrumptious!