Festive Eggnog French Toast Recipe

Cozy Eggnog French Toast Recipe for Festive Mornings

Weekends call for indulgent breakfast delights, and this creamy eggnog french toast promises pure morning magic.

The rich, festive flavors of eggnog infuse classic french toast with an irresistible holiday charm.

Thick slices of bread soak up the luscious custard, creating a decadent breakfast that feels like a celebration.

Warm spices dance through each golden-brown piece, delivering comfort in every single bite.

Crisp edges and a soft, custardy center make this breakfast feel like a warm holiday hug.

Drizzle with maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar to transform this simple morning treat into a memorable breakfast experience.

Dive into this seasonal breakfast and let the festive flavors transport you to cozy winter mornings.

How To Make Eggnog French Toast Golden And Fluffy

  • Custard Blend

In a wide bowl, mix eggs, eggnog, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the mixture looks silky and smooth. The magical combination creates a rich, creamy base that’ll make your taste buds dance.

  • Bread Soaking

Gently dunk each bread slice into the custard, letting it absorb the delicious flavors for a few seconds on each side. The bread should look saturated but not falling apart.

  • Toasting Magic

Warm a skillet over medium heat and add a touch of butter. Once the pan is ready, carefully place the soaked bread slices, creating a golden landscape of deliciousness. Cook until each side turns a beautiful caramel brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.

  • Warm Presentation

Move the finished French toast to a cozy plate. Top with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a dollop of whipped cream. Fresh berries add a burst of color and freshness to this holiday morning treat.

Flavors To Try With Eggnog French Toast

  • Festive Flavor Boosters: Make Your Eggnog French Toast Shine
  • Bread Selection Magic: Choose thick-cut challah or brioche for extra richness and better custard absorption. Day-old bread works perfectly and prevents soggy results.
  • Temperature Tricks: Let bread slices sit at room temperature for 10 minutes after soaking to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior with a tender center.
  • Spice Exploration: Experiment with additional warm spices like ground cardamom or ginger to enhance the holiday flavor profile and add unexpected depth.
  • Dietary Flexibility: Create gluten-free versions by using gluten-free bread or dairy-free alternatives by substituting eggnog with almond or oat milk mixed with extra spices.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare soaked bread slices the night before and store covered in the refrigerator, then quickly cook in the morning for stress-free holiday entertaining.

How To Serve Eggnog French Toast In Style

  • Festive Breakfast Extravaganza: Top French toast with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar for a classic, elegant look that adds delightful sweetness.
  • Holiday Flavor Boost: Drizzle warm maple syrup and add a dollop of freshly whipped cream to enhance the rich eggnog flavors and create a decadent breakfast experience.
  • Berry Bright Morning: Scatter fresh seasonal berries like raspberries or strawberries around the plate for a vibrant pop of color and refreshing taste that cuts through the richness of the French toast.
  • Nutmeg Garnish Finale: Dust the French toast with extra ground nutmeg or cinnamon for an aromatic finishing touch that highlights the warm spices in the eggnog custard.

Best Way To Store Eggnog French Toast For Later

  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover French toast in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap each slice separately with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent sticking.
  • Quick Reheating Method: Revive cold slices by toasting in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. This technique restores crispiness and brings back the delightful texture without making the bread soggy.
  • Freezer-Friendly Approach: Layer cooled French toast between parchment paper sheets, place in a freezer-safe bag, and store for up to one month. Remove individual slices as needed for quick breakfast options.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the custard mixture the night before and refrigerate. This step allows flavors to meld and saves precious morning cooking time, making breakfast preparation smoother and more efficient.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 3

Ingredients For Eggnog French Toast

For The Custard Base:
  • Eggs: Provide rich, creamy texture and binding power for the perfect French toast mixture, choose fresh, organic eggs for best flavor.
  • Eggnog: Delivers festive holiday spice and silky smoothness, select high-quality, full-fat eggnog for maximum indulgence.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet depth and aromatic complexity, opt for pure vanilla extract over imitation versions.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Introduces warm, comforting spice and classic holiday essence, use freshly ground for most vibrant flavor.
  • Ground Nutmeg: Contributes subtle, earthy warmth and traditional holiday character, grate whole nutmeg for most intense taste.
For The Bread Foundation:
  • Thick Bread Slices: Creates substantial, custardy French toast with ideal texture, choose day-old brioche, challah, or thick-cut white bread for best absorption.
For Cooking And Serving:
  • Butter: Provides golden, crispy exterior and rich flavor when cooking, use unsalted butter for precise seasoning control.
  • Powdered Sugar, Maple Syrup, Whipped Cream, Fresh Berries: Offer delightful finishing touches with varied textures and complementary flavors, select seasonal, ripe berries for maximum freshness.

Tools To Cook Eggnog French Toast Just Right

  • Whisk: Essential for blending eggs, eggnog, and spices into a smooth custard mixture.
  • Large shallow dish: Perfect for soaking bread evenly in the eggnog custard.
  • Nonstick skillet or griddle: Crucial for cooking French toast without sticking and achieving golden-brown perfection.
  • Spatula: Helps flip French toast carefully and transfer slices between pan and plate.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions for consistent results.
  • Plate: Used for serving and keeping cooked French toast warm under foil.
Print
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Festive Eggnog French Toast Recipe

Festive Eggnog French Toast Recipe


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4.8 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Rich eggnog french toast blends holiday nostalgia with classic breakfast comfort. Cinnamon-spiced bread soaks in creamy eggnog custard, creating a festive morning treat you’ll savor with each delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240 ml / 8 fl oz) eggnog
  • 8 slices thick-cut bread (brioche, challah, or Texas toast)
  • 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • Powdered sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Whipped cream
  • Fresh berries

Instructions

  1. Custard Preparation: Whisk eggs, eggnog, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a wide bowl until smooth and well-integrated, creating a fragrant, velvety base for the french toast.
  2. Bread Soaking: Immerse bread slices into the custard mixture, allowing each piece to absorb the rich, spiced liquid for 20-30 seconds per side, ensuring complete flavor penetration.
  3. Skillet Preparation: Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium temperature, melting butter to create a golden, slightly crisp cooking surface that enhances caramelization.
  4. Cooking Process: Arrange custard-coated bread slices on the heated surface, spacing them to promote even browning and prevent steaming; cook for 2-3 minutes per side until achieving a deep golden-brown exterior and custardy interior.
  5. Serving and Garnishing: Transfer cooked french toast to a warm plate and embellish with a delicate powdered sugar dusting, maple syrup drizzle, dollop of whipped cream, or a scatter of fresh seasonal berries for a luxurious and visually appealing presentation.

Notes

  • Bread Selection Matters: Choose thick-cut, slightly stale bread like brioche or challah for maximum custard absorption and rich, tender texture.
  • Avoid Soggy Disappointment: Don’t oversoak bread; 20-30 seconds per side prevents bread from falling apart and ensures perfect custard penetration.
  • Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat for even caramelization; too high causes burning, too low results in pale, undercooked French toast.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute eggnog with coconut milk or almond milk mixed with extra spices for a lactose-free version that maintains rich flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 220 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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