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These chunky Cinnamon French Toast Sticks turn your regular breakfast into an exciting hands-on meal that grabs attention from both youngsters and grown-ups. When soft bread soaks up that cinnamon-rich egg mix, you get a handy, tasty treat that'll make everyone at your table happy.
I whipped up these cinnamon treats during a family morning get-together with my sister's kids. Seeing them gleefully dunk those crunchy sticks into sweet syrup told me we'd found a winner. These days, whenever someone stays over, this is the breakfast they always ask for.
What You'll Need
- Texas toast: Eight fat slices work as your base. Any extra-thick bread will do if you can't spot Texas toast.
- Eggs: Four big ones build your protein-packed soaking mix.
- Heavy cream: Adds that unbeatable richness to your coating. Pick the newest date you can find.
- Cinnamon: Two and a half teaspoons bring that cozy warmth everyone loves. Fresh spices make all the difference.
- Sugar: Just one tablespoon gives a touch of sweetness without going overboard.
- Vanilla extract: Grab the real stuff for truly amazing taste.
- Unsalted butter: This cooks your sticks to that perfect golden outside.
- Maple syrup: Skip the fake stuff and go for genuine maple goodness for dunking.
How To Make Them
- Slice your bread:
- Cut each Texas toast piece into four even strips. Make sharp cuts so they cook evenly. The thick bread stands up well during the whole process without breaking apart.
- Mix your coating:
- In a big bowl, beat eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla until everything blends together smoothly. This tasty mix will soak right into each bread stick.
- Dunk your bread:
- Push each bread strip into the egg mixture, flipping to cover every side. Let them soak about 10 seconds per side. They should feel wet but still hold their shape. Set them on a plate without crowding.
- Get them sizzling:
- Warm a big pan over medium heat and drop in 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter. When it's melted and bubbling a bit, lay several soaked sticks flat without touching. Cook about 2 minutes on each side until they turn golden with slightly crisp edges but stay soft inside.
- Eat them right away:
- Move the cooked sticks to a plate and pair with warm maple syrup for dunking. You'll love how the crunchy outside meets the soft, custardy middle right from the pan.
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Nothing beats watching someone bite into these sticks for the first time. That moment when they taste the crunchy outside giving way to that soft, custardy center just brings smiles all around. My partner swears these toast sticks changed our weekend routine forever since the kids stay put at the table munching away while we actually get to drink our coffee hot.
Choose Your Bread Wisely
Getting these sticks just right starts with picking the proper bread. Slightly stale bread works way better than fresh stuff because it's drier and soaks up more flavor without turning mushy. If your bread is too fresh, just leave it out overnight or warm it at a low oven temp for a few minutes. Don't cut off the crusts - they help hold everything together. Can't find Texas toast? Try brioche or challah instead, but handle them more carefully since they're softer.
Keeping Them For Later
These toast sticks taste great the next day too. Just pop leftovers in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 3 days. When you want to eat them, lay them on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes until they crisp up again. Try not to use the microwave as it makes them soggy. Want to save them longer? Cool them completely, freeze them flat on a tray, then toss them in a freezer bag. They'll stay good for two months and can go straight from freezer to toaster oven, regular oven or air fryer when you need a quick breakfast.
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Tasty Twists
The basic cinnamon version always wins fans, but don't be afraid to play around. Try throwing in a bit of nutmeg or cardamom to your egg mix for extra kick. During holidays, mix in some orange zest and a tiny bit of cloves. Chocolate lovers can add a couple spoonfuls of unsweetened cocoa powder to the mixture. Another crowd-pleaser is rolling the freshly cooked warm sticks in cinnamon sugar for extra crunch and sweetness. In our house, we love setting up different dipping options besides syrup, like chocolate sauce, fruit topping, or a dollop of whipped cream.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → What type of bread is best?
Go for chunky Texas toast or bread with a good crust since it won't fall apart and soaks up the egg mix without getting mushy.
- → Can I use another type of milk?
Sure thing, swap heavy cream for regular milk, almond milk, or coconut milk if you want, but know the end result might be a bit different.
- → How do I freeze the toast sticks?
After they've cooled down, put them on a baking sheet and freeze until hard. Then pack them in a freezer container and they'll stay good for up to 2 months.
- → What's the best way to reheat frozen toast sticks?
For maximum crunch, pop them in a toaster oven or air fryer. You can also warm them up in your oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes.
- → Can I prepare the batter ahead of time?
Definitely, you can mix the egg stuff the night before and keep it covered in your fridge. Just give it a good stir before you use it.