Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

My family and I have a weekend ritual – a slow, delicious brunch that sets the tone for a relaxed and joyful day. And for years, Cinnamon Raisin French Toast has been a star player in our brunch repertoire. It’s more than just a breakfast dish; it’s a warm hug on a plate, a symphony of sweet cinnamon, plump raisins, and the comforting softness of perfectly soaked bread. Honestly, there’s something almost magical about the aroma that fills the kitchen as this French toast cooks, instantly creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. My kids, who can be notoriously picky eaters, devour it with gusto, and even my husband, a savory breakfast enthusiast, admits he can’t resist its charm. This isn’t just a cinnamon raisin French toast recipe; it’s our cinnamon raisin French toast recipe, honed and perfected over countless weekend brunches, and I’m thrilled to share the joy and deliciousness it brings with you. Get ready to transform your ordinary mornings into something truly special with this incredibly easy and utterly delightful treat.

Ingredients for Irresistible Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

To create the most delectable Cinnamon Raisin French Toast, you’ll need just a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cinnamon Raisin Bread (1 loaf): The star of the show! Choose a good quality loaf, preferably slightly stale for better soaking. Day-old bread works wonders as it absorbs the custard mixture without becoming soggy. You can find pre-sliced loaves, or slice it yourself to your desired thickness – about ¾ to 1 inch slices work best.
• Eggs (6 large): These form the base of our custard, providing richness and structure to the French toast. Large eggs offer the right balance of yolk and white for a smooth and flavorful custard.
• Milk (1 cup): Use whole milk for the richest flavor and creamiest texture. However, you can substitute with 2% milk or even non-dairy alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk, depending on your preference and dietary needs. Keep in mind that using lower-fat milk or non-dairy milk may slightly alter the richness and creaminess.
• Heavy Cream (1/4 cup): This adds an extra layer of richness and indulgence, contributing to a more luxurious custard. If you want a slightly lighter version, you can omit the heavy cream or substitute with more milk, but it does enhance the overall experience.
• Granulated Sugar (2 tablespoons): Just a touch of sweetness to complement the cinnamon and raisins. You can adjust the amount slightly to your liking. Brown sugar can also be used for a slightly deeper, molasses-like sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 tablespoon): The essential spice that defines the flavor profile. Use good quality ground cinnamon for the best aroma and taste. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for extra warmth and complexity if desired.
• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor and adds a touch of warmth and sweetness. Pure vanilla extract is recommended for the best flavor, but imitation vanilla extract can also be used.
• Salt (1/4 teaspoon): A pinch of salt is crucial to balance the sweetness and enhance all the other flavors in the custard. Don’t skip it!
• Butter (for cooking): Use unsalted butter for cooking the French toast. Butter adds flavor and helps create a beautiful golden-brown crust. You can also use a combination of butter and oil for a higher smoke point and less browning if you prefer.
• Optional Toppings: Maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), whipped cream, chopped nuts, cinnamon sugar – the possibilities are endless! Choose your favorites to customize your French toast experience.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

Making Cinnamon Raisin French Toast is surprisingly simple, but following these step-by-step instructions will ensure you achieve perfectly golden, custardy, and utterly delicious results every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Custard Base

1. Crack the Eggs: In a large, shallow dish or baking pan (large enough to comfortably fit a slice of bread), crack all six large eggs.
2. Whisk the Eggs: Using a whisk, thoroughly beat the eggs until the yolks and whites are fully combined and slightly frothy. This ensures a smooth and homogenous custard mixture.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the milk, heavy cream, and vanilla extract into the dish with the whisked eggs.
4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt to the mixture.
5. Whisk Thoroughly: Whisk all the ingredients together vigorously until they are completely combined and the sugar is fully dissolved. The custard should be smooth and slightly thickened, with a beautiful light cinnamon hue. Ensure there are no streaks of egg yolk or sugar granules remaining. This well-mixed custard is the key to evenly soaked and flavorful French toast.

Step 2: Soak the Cinnamon Raisin Bread

1. Prepare Bread Slices: Lay out your slices of cinnamon raisin bread. If your loaf is unsliced, cut slices that are approximately ¾ to 1 inch thick. Slightly thicker slices hold up better to soaking and cooking.
2. Submerge Bread in Custard: One at a time, gently place a slice of cinnamon raisin bread into the prepared custard mixture.
3. Soak Evenly: Let the bread slice soak in the custard for about 20-30 seconds per side. Ensure that both sides of the bread are fully submerged and saturated with the custard. Don’t over-soak, as this can make the French toast soggy and difficult to cook. The goal is to have the bread absorb enough custard to become soft and flavorful, but not to become mushy.
4. Remove Excess Custard (Optional): After soaking, you can gently lift the bread slice and let any excess custard drip back into the dish. This helps prevent the French toast from becoming overly wet and ensures a better browning during cooking.
5. Repeat for Remaining Slices: Repeat the soaking process for all remaining slices of cinnamon raisin bread, ensuring each slice is evenly coated in the custard.

Step 3: Cook the French Toast to Golden Perfection

1. Prepare Cooking Surface: Place a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Allow the skillet to heat up properly before adding butter.
2. Melt Butter: Add about 1 tablespoon of butter to the hot skillet and let it melt completely. Ensure the butter is evenly distributed across the cooking surface to prevent sticking and ensure even browning. You may need to add more butter as you cook batches of French toast.
3. Place Soaked Bread in Skillet: Once the butter is melted and the skillet is hot, carefully place the soaked slices of cinnamon raisin bread onto the hot skillet. Do not overcrowd the skillet; cook in batches to ensure even cooking and browning. Leave enough space between slices for proper heat circulation.
4. Cook First Side: Cook the French toast for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the bottom side is golden brown and nicely caramelized. Keep an eye on the heat and adjust it if necessary to prevent burning. The French toast should sizzle gently when it hits the hot butter.
5. Flip and Cook Second Side: Once the first side is golden brown, gently flip the French toast slices using a spatula.
6. Cook Second Side: Cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes, or until it is also golden brown and the French toast is cooked through. The inside should be soft and custardy, not raw or eggy. You can gently press down on the center of a slice with a spatula; it should feel slightly firm but still soft.
7. Remove and Repeat: Once cooked through and golden brown on both sides, remove the French toast slices from the skillet and place them on a plate. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining soaked bread slices, adding more butter to the skillet as needed for each batch.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

1. Serve Immediately: Cinnamon Raisin French Toast is best served immediately while it’s warm and fresh from the skillet.
2. Add Toppings: Arrange the cooked French toast on plates and let everyone customize their serving with their favorite toppings.
3. Enjoy! Gather around the table and savor the deliciousness of your homemade Cinnamon Raisin French Toast!

Nutrition Facts for Cinnamon Raisin French Toast (per serving)

(Please note: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. This is based on a recipe yielding 6 servings.)

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: Approximately 350 kcal
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Cholesterol: 150mg
• Sodium: 250mg
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Sugar: 18g (naturally occurring from raisins and added sugar)
• Protein: 8g

Preparation Time for Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

• Prep Time: 15 minutes (includes whisking custard and soaking bread)
• Cook Time: 20 minutes (approximately, depending on batch sizes and skillet size)
• Total Time: 35 minutes

This recipe is relatively quick to prepare, making it perfect for weekend brunches or even a special weekday breakfast. The hands-on time is minimal, and the cooking process is straightforward.

How to Serve Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

Cinnamon Raisin French Toast is incredibly versatile and can be served in countless delicious ways. Here are some delightful serving suggestions to elevate your brunch experience:

• Classic Maple Syrup: The quintessential topping for French toast! Drizzle generously with warm maple syrup for a touch of sweetness and classic flavor. Choose pure maple syrup for the best taste.
• Powdered Sugar Dusting: A simple yet elegant touch. Dust the warm French toast with a light coating of powdered sugar for a subtle sweetness and beautiful presentation.
• Fresh Berries: Add a burst of freshness and vibrant color with a medley of fresh berries. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are all excellent choices. They provide a lovely contrast to the richness of the French toast.
• Whipped Cream Delight: Top with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for an extra layer of indulgence. You can even flavor your whipped cream with vanilla extract or a hint of cinnamon for added flavor.
• Cinnamon Sugar Sprinkle: Enhance the cinnamon flavor even further by sprinkling a mixture of cinnamon and sugar over the French toast. This adds a delightful crunch and extra sweetness.
• Nutty Crunch: Add texture and flavor by topping with chopped nuts. Toasted pecans, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts all work wonderfully. You can toast the nuts in a dry skillet for a few minutes to enhance their flavor.
• Fruit Compote or Sauce: Elevate your French toast with a homemade fruit compote or sauce. Berry compote, apple compote, or even a simple caramel sauce would be delicious.
• Cream Cheese Glaze: For a richer and tangier topping, drizzle with a cream cheese glaze. Simply whisk together cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Savory Sides: While Cinnamon Raisin French Toast is sweet, it pairs well with savory sides to balance the meal. Consider serving it with:
  • Crispy bacon or sausage
  • Scrambled eggs or omelets
  • Fresh fruit salad
  • Yogurt parfait

Presentation Tips:

• Arrange attractively: Stack the French toast slices artfully on a plate or platter.
• Garnish: Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, a dusting of cinnamon, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for visual appeal.
• Warm your syrup: Warming maple syrup slightly enhances its flavor and makes it even more enjoyable.
• Offer a variety of toppings: Set out a selection of toppings in bowls so everyone can customize their French toast to their liking.

Additional Tips for the Best Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

To truly master the art of Cinnamon Raisin French Toast, consider these helpful tips and tricks that will elevate your recipe from good to absolutely outstanding:

1. Use Slightly Stale Bread: Day-old cinnamon raisin bread (or even slightly older) is ideal for French toast. Stale bread absorbs the custard mixture more effectively without becoming soggy. Fresh bread tends to get mushy when soaked. If your bread is very fresh, you can lightly toast it in the oven or leave it uncovered overnight to dry out slightly.
2. Don’t Over-Soak the Bread: While soaking is crucial for custardy French toast, over-soaking can lead to soggy results. Aim for about 20-30 seconds per side, or just until the bread is saturated but still holds its shape. If you use very porous bread, reduce the soaking time slightly.
3. Maintain the Right Pan Temperature: Cooking French toast at the correct temperature is essential for achieving a golden-brown exterior and a cooked-through interior. Medium heat is generally ideal. If the heat is too high, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked. If it’s too low, the French toast will be pale and may become dry. Adjust the heat as needed throughout the cooking process.
4. Use Enough Butter (or Butter-Oil Combo): Butter is crucial for flavor and browning. Don’t be shy with the butter! Use enough butter to coat the skillet generously for each batch of French toast. You can also use a combination of butter and a neutral oil (like canola or vegetable oil) to raise the smoke point and prevent the butter from burning too quickly.
5. Cook in Batches and Avoid Overcrowding: Don’t overcrowd the skillet. Cooking in batches ensures that each slice of French toast has enough space to cook evenly and brown properly. Overcrowding lowers the pan temperature and can result in steamed rather than browned French toast.
6. Keep French Toast Warm While Cooking: As you cook batches of French toast, you can keep the cooked slices warm in a preheated oven set to a low temperature (around 200°F or 95°C). Place the cooked French toast on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to prevent the bottom from becoming soggy. This ensures that all the French toast is warm and ready to serve at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

Here are some common questions people ask when making Cinnamon Raisin French Toast, along with helpful answers to ensure your success:

Q1: Can I use a different type of bread for this recipe?

A: While cinnamon raisin bread is the star of this recipe, you can certainly use other types of bread if you prefer. Brioche, challah, Texas toast, or even sourdough bread can be used to make delicious French toast. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile will be different. If using plain bread, you might want to add a bit more cinnamon to the custard for a similar flavor.

Q2: Can I make Cinnamon Raisin French Toast ahead of time?

A: French toast is best served fresh and warm. However, you can prepare the custard mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Soaking the bread and cooking should be done just before serving for the best texture. If you have leftovers, you can store cooked French toast in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat it in a toaster oven or skillet, but it will be slightly less crisp than freshly made.

Q3: Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?

A: Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be dairy-free or vegan. For dairy-free French toast, substitute the milk and heavy cream with non-dairy alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. For vegan French toast, you can use a flax egg (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken) or a commercial egg replacer in place of the eggs. Ensure you use a vegan butter alternative for cooking.

Q4: My French toast is soggy. What did I do wrong?

A: Soggy French toast is usually caused by over-soaking the bread or cooking it at too low a temperature. Make sure you are using slightly stale bread and soaking it for only 20-30 seconds per side. Also, ensure your skillet is hot enough and you are cooking at medium heat. Overcrowding the pan can also lead to steaming and sogginess.

Q5: How do I prevent my French toast from burning?

A: Burning is usually caused by cooking at too high a heat. Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low if your French toast is browning too quickly. Also, make sure you are using enough butter in the skillet, as butter helps to regulate the heat and prevent sticking and burning.

Q6: Can I add other spices to the custard?

A: Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with other warm spices to customize your French toast. Nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, or ginger can all add a lovely depth of flavor to the custard. Start with a small pinch and adjust to your liking. You can also add a touch of citrus zest (orange or lemon) for brightness

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