Indulge in the Best Eggnog French Toast: Your Ultimate Holiday Breakfast Recipe
Eggnog French Toast is the perfect breakfast for any holiday morning, bringing all the rich, spiced flavors of eggnog into a truly delicious and comforting dish.
Do you have a cherished traditional breakfast that graces your table every Christmas or during the festive holiday season? For many, French toast is a beloved classic. However, once you experience it prepared with the unique richness of eggnog, you might find yourself rethinking future holiday menus entirely! Cooking with eggnog elevates familiar recipes to an entirely new level of deliciousness and festive charm, making every bite feel like a special occasion.
It’s quite a common sentiment: some people aren’t particularly fond of drinking eggnog straight. But when that iconic flavor is incorporated into baked goods or other culinary creations, it transforms into something truly magical and irresistible! If you’re someone who might shy away from a glass of eggnog but can’t get enough of Eggnog Muffins or a slice of warm Eggnog Coffee Cake, then this Eggnog French Toast recipe is destined to become your new holiday favorite. It captures the essence of the season in a warm, satisfying breakfast that everyone will adore.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Eggnog French Toast
Creating this festive French toast requires a handful of simple yet high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that rich, creamy, and perfectly spiced flavor profile that makes this dish so special. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to gather before you start cooking:
- Eggnog: The star of the show! Choose your favorite brand of full-fat eggnog for the richest flavor and creamy texture in your batter. The higher fat content contributes to a more tender and flavorful French toast.
- Eggs: Large, fresh eggs are essential. They bind the batter together and help create that classic custardy interior when cooked.
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a warm, inviting spice that perfectly complements the eggnog. It’s a hallmark flavor of the holiday season.
- Nutmeg: Freshly grated nutmeg, if possible, will provide an unparalleled aromatic depth. It’s another classic eggnog spice that enhances the overall festive taste.
- Salt: A small pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors, preventing the French toast from tasting flat.
- Thick Cut Bread: The foundation of any great French toast. We’ll delve into bread choices in more detail below, but aim for a sturdy, thick slice that can absorb the batter without becoming soggy.
- Butter: For cooking on the griddle. Butter not only prevents sticking but also adds a wonderful golden crust and rich, buttery flavor to the French toast.
With these ingredients at hand, you’re well on your way to a truly extraordinary holiday breakfast experience!
Choosing the Best Bread for Your Eggnog French Toast
The type of bread you select is paramount to the success of your French toast. While the eggnog batter provides incredible flavor, the bread is what gives French toast its quintessential texture – a crispy, golden exterior with a soft, custardy interior. You absolutely want to use something substantial and thick, steering clear of your typical thin sandwich bread, which will quickly become mushy.
Here are some of the best choices, along with why they work so well:
- Brioche Bread: This is often considered the gold standard for French toast. Its rich, buttery, and slightly sweet flavor, combined with a tender crumb, absorbs the eggnog mixture beautifully and cooks up incredibly light and fluffy.
- Sourdough Bread: For those who appreciate a subtle tang, sourdough adds a wonderful complexity that contrasts delightfully with the sweetness of the eggnog. Its sturdy texture holds up well to soaking.
- Thick Cut Italian or French Bread: These artisanal loaves offer a slightly chewier texture and a good crust, which can add a pleasant textural contrast once cooked. Look for unsliced loaves and cut them yourself for ideal thickness.
- Texas Toast: Specifically designed to be thick, Texas Toast is a convenient option if you can find it. Its pre-cut thickness makes it an easy choice, providing a generous surface area for soaking up that delicious eggnog batter.
The key characteristic you’re looking for is thickness – ideally about 1 inch per slice. Bread that is much thicker might result in a dry, “bready” center that hasn’t fully absorbed the custard. Conversely, slices that are too thin will quickly become oversaturated and mushy. Using high-quality bread ensures your French toast tastes fantastic from the first bite to the last. For optimal results, slightly stale bread is often preferred, as it absorbs the liquid batter more effectively without falling apart. If you only have fresh bread, you can lightly toast it in the oven for a few minutes to dry it out slightly before dipping.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Delicious Eggnog French Toast
Making Eggnog French Toast is a straightforward process, but paying attention to a few details will ensure a perfectly cooked and flavorful result every time. Follow these steps to bring this holiday breakfast to life:
- Prepare Your Cooking Surface: Begin by heating a griddle or a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. It’s crucial that your cooking surface is thoroughly heated before you place any bread on it to achieve that beautiful golden-brown crust. If you’re making a large batch and want to keep earlier cooked pieces warm, preheat your oven to 250ºF (120ºC) and place a baking sheet inside.
- Whisk the Eggnog Batter: In a large, shallow bowl (wide enough to accommodate a slice of bread), whisk together the eggnog, eggs, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Beat these ingredients vigorously until they are very well combined and the mixture is smooth and uniform. This ensures every slice gets an even distribution of flavor.
- Slice Your Bread: If using a whole loaf, slice your chosen thick-cut bread into approximately 1-inch thick pieces. Consistency in thickness is important for even cooking and soaking.
- Dip the Bread: Carefully dip each slice of bread into the eggnog mixture, ensuring both sides are fully coated. Don’t rush this step! Allow the bread to soak for about 1-2 minutes per side, depending on its thickness and staleness, so it can truly absorb the rich flavors of the custard. For denser breads, a slightly longer soak might be beneficial.
- Cook to Golden Perfection: Melt about half of the butter (or a tablespoon, adding more as needed) over the hot surface of your griddle or skillet. Once the butter is shimmering, carefully place the dipped bread slices onto the hot griddle, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, or until each side is beautifully golden brown and cooked through.
- Keep Warm (Optional): As you cook subsequent batches, transfer the finished French toast slices to the prepared baking sheet in the preheated oven to keep them warm.
- Serve Immediately: Serve your delicious Eggnog French Toast hot off the griddle! Enhance the experience with a generous drizzle of warm maple syrup and a dollop of whipped cream, if desired. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of extra cinnamon can also add a delightful finishing touch.
Enjoy this festive and flavorful breakfast, perfect for creating cherished holiday memories!
Expert Tips for the Best Eggnog French Toast
Achieving the perfect Eggnog French Toast is easy with a few insider tricks. These tips will help you maximize flavor, optimize texture, and make your cooking process smoother, ensuring a truly memorable breakfast experience:
- The Stale Bread Advantage: This is a game-changer! You absolutely want to use bread that is a day or two old. Super fresh bread tends to be too soft and doesn’t soak up the egg mixture as well, often leading to a soggy texture. If you have a few slices at the end of your loaf that are slightly firm, they are perfect for French toast.
- Never Waste a Slice: Start a freezer-safe bag specifically for leftover bread slices! Whenever you’re getting to the end of a loaf, toss the remaining pieces into the bag and store them in the freezer. You’ll not only cut down on food waste but also have the perfect slightly stale bread on hand whenever a French toast craving strikes. Just thaw them slightly before using.
- Embrace the Electric Griddle: For French toast, especially when cooking for a crowd, an electric griddle is an invaluable tool. It heats up evenly and maintains a consistent temperature, allowing you to cook multiple slices at once without overcrowding. I’ve had my Electric Griddle for over 20 years, since I got married, and it’s still going strong today!
- Soak it Right: Don’t just give your bread a quick dip. Make sure to let your bread soak in the egg mixture for a little while – enough time for it to really absorb the flavor and create that custardy interior. The ideal soaking time depends on your bread’s thickness and density. For approximately 1-inch thick pieces, I usually let them sit in the batter for about 2 minutes per side. You should feel the bread soften but still hold its shape.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Griddle: While it’s tempting to fit as many slices as possible, overcrowding can lower the griddle’s temperature and lead to uneven cooking. Cook in batches, leaving enough space between slices for proper browning.
- Keep Cooked Batches Warm: If serving a larger group, place cooked French toast on a baking sheet in a preheated oven set to a low temperature (around 200-250°F / 95-120°C). This ensures everyone gets to enjoy warm French toast.
- Garnish and Customize: Get creative with toppings! Beyond maple syrup and whipped cream, consider fresh berries, sliced bananas, a dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of extra cinnamon or nutmeg, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra indulgent touch.
- Make it Boozy (Adults Only!): For an adult version, a splash of rum or brandy in the eggnog mixture can add another layer of festive sophistication. Just a tablespoon or two should do the trick!
Trust me, even if you’re typically skeptical about eggnog as a drink, you are going to want to give this recipe a try. While you’d have to pay me quite a bit of money to actually drink it straight – I am genuinely not a fan! – once you incorporate it into baked goods or start cooking with it, that holiday spice and creamy richness transform into something truly magical and incredibly delicious!
More Delicious Breakfast Recipes to Brighten Your Morning
If you’re looking to expand your breakfast repertoire beyond this festive Eggnog French Toast, you’re in luck! We have a wide array of recipes that are perfect for any morning, whether you’re hosting a brunch or simply enjoying a quiet start to your day. From savory casseroles to sweet muffins and indulgent pastries, there’s something to please every palate. Explore these delightful options and discover your next favorite breakfast:
- Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
- Gingerbread Cheesecake Muffins
- Sheet Pan Pancakes
- Breakfast Tacos
- Cinnamon Rolls
- Nutella Crepes
- Homemade Donuts
- Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls
Each of these recipes is designed to bring joy and flavor to your breakfast or brunch table. Happy cooking!
Eggnog French Toast
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Ingredients
- 3 cups Eggnog (full-fat recommended)
- 5 whole large eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated for best flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12-16 slices thick cut bread (brioche, sourdough, or Texas toast recommended)
- 1 Tablespoon butter (for cooking)
Instructions
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Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium heat. Ensure it’s fully hot before cooking begins. (Optional: Preheat oven to 250ºF (120ºC) to keep cooked French toast warm).
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In a large, shallow bowl, beat together the eggnog, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until completely smooth and well combined.
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If using an unsliced loaf, slice your preferred bread into 1-inch thick pieces.
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Dip each slice of bread into the prepared eggnog mixture, allowing it to soak for 1-2 minutes per side to fully absorb the rich custard.
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Melt about half of the butter over the hot surface of the griddle, spreading it evenly.
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Place the dipped pieces of bread onto the hot griddle, being careful not to overcrowd. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with remaining bread, adding more butter as needed.
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Serve your Eggnog French Toast immediately, topped with warm maple syrup and a generous dollop of whipped cream, if desired, for a truly festive experience.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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**I was compensated by Safest Choice™ for this recipe and to be part of Dozen Days of Nog. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.