Name: Honey Cinnamon Brioche French Toast
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 slices brioche bread; 2 large eggs; 1/4 cup whole milk; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; 2 tablespoons butter, for cooking; Powdered sugar, for serving; Extra honey, for drizzling

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A luxuriously sweet breakfast classic with a honey-cinnamon twist that transforms ordinary mornings into special occasions. This brioche French toast combines buttery bread with warm spices for a breakfast that feels both indulgent and comforting.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Honey Cinnamon Brioche French Toast elevates the humble breakfast staple to restaurant quality with minimal effort. The rich, buttery brioche provides the perfect canvas for the honey-cinnamon custard, creating a delightful contrast between the crispy exterior and tender, custard-like interior. It's quick enough for weekday mornings but special enough for weekend brunches and holiday celebrations. The natural sweetness from honey means you can use less refined sugar while still enjoying a decadent treat. Best of all, it requires simple pantry ingredients that come together in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Brioche bread is the star of this recipe, offering a buttery, slightly sweet base that crisps beautifully on the outside while maintaining a tender, custard-like interior. Its rich texture absorbs the egg mixture perfectly without becoming soggy.

Eggs create the custardy base that transforms simple bread into French toast. They provide structure, richness, and that distinctive French toast flavor while helping the exterior develop a lovely golden crust.

Whole milk adds creaminess to the custard mixture. Its fat content creates a more luxurious mouthfeel than lower-fat alternatives, though you can substitute half-and-half or even non-dairy milk in a pinch.

Honey brings natural sweetness and subtle floral notes that granulated sugar simply can't match. It also helps create that beautiful caramelization on the exterior of your French toast.

Ground cinnamon adds warm, aromatic spice that pairs perfectly with honey. It's what gives this French toast its distinctive fragrance and flavor profile.

Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors while adding its own aromatic sweetness. Even just a small amount makes a noticeable difference in the final taste.

Salt might seem strange in a sweet dish, but just a pinch balances the sweetness and makes all the other flavors pop. Don't skip this crucial ingredient.

Butter is essential for cooking, creating that irresistible golden crust and adding rich flavor. Use unsalted butter if you want more control over the salt content.

Powdered sugar serves as the perfect finishing touch, adding a touch of sweetness and visual appeal when dusted over the top of the warm French toast.

Directions

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter.
Dip each slice of brioche bread into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated. Allow any excess to drip off before placing the bread onto the skillet.
Cook the brioche slices for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the French toast from the skillet and set aside. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the pan and repeat with the remaining slices of bread.
Serve the French toast warm, drizzled with extra honey and dusted with powdered sugar.

Servings and Timing

This recipe serves 2 people and takes just 15 minutes from start to finish, with 5 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of cooking time. Each serving contains approximately 310 calories. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more people if you're hosting a brunch or feeding a family.

Variations

Berry Bliss: Top your French toast with fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for a fruity twist and added antioxidants.

Nutty Delight: Sprinkle toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts over the top for added crunch and protein.

Banana Foster French Toast: Sauté sliced bananas in butter with a touch of brown sugar and cinnamon, then spoon over your French toast.

Orange Blossom: Substitute orange blossom honey and add a teaspoon of orange zest to the custard mixture for a citrusy variation.

Chocolate Lover's: Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the egg mixture and serve with chocolate chips or chocolate sauce drizzled on top.

Maple Pecan: Replace honey with maple syrup in both the batter and as a topping, then sprinkle with toasted pecans.

Apple Cinnamon: Serve with sautéed cinnamon apples for a fall-inspired breakfast treat.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigeration: Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Place parchment paper between slices to prevent sticking.

Freezing: For longer storage, freeze completely cooled French toast slices on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment paper between layers. Frozen French toast will maintain quality for up to 1 month.

Reheating in a Toaster: For the crispiest results, pop refrigerated slices directly in the toaster on a medium setting.

Reheating in an Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), place French toast on a baking sheet, and heat for 8-10 minutes until warmed through. For frozen slices, add an extra 5 minutes.

Microwave Method: For a quick option, microwave refrigerated French toast for 20-30 seconds per slice. While convenient, this method won't preserve the crispy exterior.

Air Fryer Revival: Reheat at 350°F for 3-4 minutes for an impressively crispy exterior similar to freshly made.

FAQs

Can I use regular bread instead of brioche?

Yes, you can substitute regular bread, but brioche provides a richer, more buttery flavor and better texture. If using regular bread, slightly thicker slices of challah, Texas toast, or day-old French bread work best as alternatives.

How do I prevent my French toast from becoming soggy?

The key is not soaking the bread too long in the egg mixture—just a quick dip on each side is sufficient. Also, make sure your pan is properly preheated before adding the soaked bread, and don't overcrowd the pan.

Can I make the egg mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the egg mixture up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Just whisk it again before using to ensure the cinnamon is well incorporated.

Is there a dairy-free alternative for this recipe?

Absolutely. Substitute the whole milk with almond milk, coconut milk, or any plant-based milk of your choice. Use plant-based butter or coconut oil for cooking.

Can I use a sugar substitute instead of honey?

Yes, maple syrup works as a direct 1:1 substitute. For other sweeteners like agave nectar or brown sugar, you may need to adjust quantities to taste and possibly add a touch more liquid if using granulated sweeteners.

My French toast is browning too quickly but isn't cooked through. What should I do?

Lower your heat to medium-low. If the outside is browning before the inside cooks through, you can finish the French toast in a 350°F oven for a few minutes after initial browning.

How can I tell when my French toast is done?

Properly cooked French toast should be golden brown on both sides with a slightly puffed appearance. The center should feel set and springy when lightly pressed, not wet or doughy.

Can I add protein to make this a more complete breakfast?

Yes, serve with a side of Greek yogurt, a dollop of ricotta cheese, or some nut butter on top.

What can I do if I don't have cinnamon?

Pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or a combination of nutmeg and cardamom can work as alternatives to cinnamon. Even a touch of ginger can add nice warmth to the flavor profile.

Can I make this recipe for a large group?

Yes, simply multiply the ingredients proportionally and cook in batches. Keep finished pieces warm in a 200°F oven on a baking sheet until all slices are ready to serve. For very large groups, you might consider a baked French toast casserole version.

Conclusion

This Honey Cinnamon Brioche French Toast transforms ordinary mornings into special occasions with minimal effort. The combination of buttery brioche bread, warm cinnamon, and sweet honey creates a breakfast that feels indulgent yet comes together in just 15 minutes. Whether you're serving it for a lazy weekend brunch, holiday morning, or surprising a loved one with breakfast in bed, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort. Make it your own with various toppings and variations, and enjoy the way this simple yet elevated dish brings a touch of sweetness to your day. With its golden, crispy exterior and custard-like interior, this French toast proves that sometimes the most delightful culinary experiences come from elevating the classics.