Description
This Pumpkin French Toast recipe brings the warmth of fall spices and creamy pumpkin puree to your breakfast table. The custardy batter, infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, perfectly coats slices of hearty white bread, cooked to a golden brown and finished in the oven for a tender, flavorful start to your day. Serve with maple syrup for a delicious autumn treat.
Ingredients
Custard Mixture
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
- 4 eggs
- 2 1/2 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp cloves
Bread and Cooking
- 9 slices (1-inch thick) hearty white bread (such as rustic French bread or brioche)
- Butter (for griddle)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and an electric griddle to 350 degrees, or heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat if a griddle is not available.
- Mix Custard: In a shallow dish, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, light-brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until well combined. Add the half and half and whisk until smooth and blended.
- Soak Bread: Dip each slice of bread into the pumpkin custard mixture, allowing it to soak well on one side before turning and soaking the other side thoroughly.
- Cook First Side: Butter the griddle where you will place the French toast slices. Place the soaked bread on the buttered griddle and cook several minutes until the bottom is golden brown.
- Flip and Cook Second Side: Lift the bread slices, butter the griddle again, flip the bread slices, and cook until the opposite side is golden brown as well.
- Keep Warm in Oven: Transfer the cooked slices to the oven rack to keep warm and finish cooking through for up to 10 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the pumpkin French toast warm, topped with maple syrup or your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Use sturdy bread like brioche or rustic French bread for best results to prevent sogginess.
- If you prefer a dairy-free option, substitute half and half with a plant-based milk of similar consistency.
- Adjust spices to taste for a milder or stronger fall flavor.
- Keeping the French toast warm in the oven prevents sogginess and allows the custard to fully set.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently in a toaster or oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Griddle and Oven Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
