Irresistible Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Baked French Toast: Your Perfect Fall Brunch Recipe
There’s nothing quite like the crisp air of autumn, the changing leaves, and the aroma of cozy spices filling your home. During the fall season, life often feels like a whirlwind of activities, from school events to holiday preparations. Finding moments to slow down and savor a delicious, home-cooked meal can be a challenge. That’s why I absolutely adore easy morning recipes, especially when they bring the comforting flavors of autumn right to our breakfast table. Baked French toast, in particular, stands out as a true lifesaver for busy households.
Just this past Sunday, our home was a hub of activity. My oldest son was home from college, planning to head back early afternoon. My youngest son had his final Junior Midget football game at 10 A.M., with my husband coaching the team. My oldest daughter’s boyfriend was also visiting from college. Before everyone scattered in their own directions, I desperately wanted to get a hearty, home-cooked meal into them. Even my youngest daughter, who had just finished her volleyball season, was happily going with the flow, making it a perfect occasion for a substantial family breakfast. This kind of morning calls for something special yet simple, something that feels indulgent but doesn’t tie you to the stove for hours.
My Secret Recipe Club Discovery: A Fall Breakfast Dream
As luck would have it, I had been procrastinating on baking my selected Secret Recipe Club recipe for the month. This club is a fantastic concept where bloggers are secretly assigned another blog to cook or bake from each month, then all reveal their creations on the same day. It’s a wonderful way to discover new blogs, experiment with different cuisines, and challenge yourself in the kitchen. This month’s assignment proved to be a delightful culinary journey that perfectly aligned with my family’s needs and the season’s spirit.
My assigned blog this month was Fit Mama Real Food, a fantastic resource run by Heather. Heather is an inspiring mom to two young children, a dedicated fitness instructor, and a passionate natural food enthusiast. Her blog beautifully reflects her philosophy: her family enjoys a wide variety of foods, but she always strives to keep ingredients in their most natural form and maintain a healthy, well-stocked pantry. I highly encourage you to visit her blog and explore her extensive collection of recipes. She truly has something for everyone, from invigorating breakfast options like her Gluten Free Carrot Cake Donuts with Sweetened Honey Cream Cheese Frosting to a diverse array of ethnic cuisines, including Chinese, Mexican, and Thai. Don’t miss her Thai Peanut Chicken Wrap! Beyond that, she offers everything from refreshing drinks and dairy items to convenient crock pot recipes and a wealth of comforting dishes, such as her Chicken Chorizo Mac and Cheese. Her dedication to wholesome, delicious food truly shines through every recipe.
As I browsed her wide selection of breakfast items, I knew I wanted to choose a recipe that was both breakfast-related and perfectly captured the essence of the fall season. And there it was: her Baked Cinnamon Swirl French Toast! It was absolutely perfect. My only modification was to infuse it with an extra layer of seasonal goodness by adding a “pumpkin” element. My family and I are absolutely obsessed with Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl bread during this time of year; it makes the most incredible cinnamon toast. For this baked French toast, I also added a couple of extra slices of bread, as the individual slices are somewhat small, ensuring a heartier dish for our hungry crowd. We enjoyed this delectable bake with a generous dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of warm maple syrup, making for a truly memorable and satisfying fall breakfast.
Heather’s original recipe can be found here: Baked Cinnamon Swirl French Toast.
Why Baked French Toast is a Game-Changer for Busy Mornings
If you’ve ever stood over a griddle flipping French toast for a hungry crowd, you know how time-consuming it can be. This is where baked French toast truly shines, especially for family breakfasts or holiday brunches. Instead of individual slices cooked one by one, you assemble everything in a baking dish and let the oven do all the work. This hands-off approach frees you up to enjoy your morning, set the table, or simply sip your coffee while a delicious meal bakes to golden perfection. It’s ideal for feeding a large group, ensuring every serving is consistently golden brown and custardy.
The beauty of a baked French toast casserole like this Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl variant is its incredible texture. The bread cubes absorb the egg custard beautifully, creating a moist, tender interior, while the top gets wonderfully crisp and caramelized from the cinnamon swirl. It’s a delightful contrast of textures that’s hard to achieve with pan-fried methods. Furthermore, many baked French toast recipes can be prepared the night before, allowing the bread to fully soak up the custard overnight, intensifying the flavors and making morning prep even quicker. Just pop it in the oven when you wake up, and a warm, comforting breakfast will be ready in under an hour.
Embracing the Flavors of Fall
Pumpkin and cinnamon are the quintessential flavors of autumn, evoking feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. As the weather cools and leaves turn brilliant hues, our palates naturally crave these warming spices. Pumpkin adds a subtle earthiness and moisture, while cinnamon delivers a delightful aromatic sweetness that is both invigorating and soothing. This Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Baked French Toast perfectly encapsulates these seasonal comforts.
Incorporating seasonal ingredients into your cooking is not only delicious but also connects you to the rhythms of nature. Fall is a time for harvest festivals, apple picking, and, of course, all things pumpkin spice. This recipe brings those cherished fall traditions right into your kitchen. Imagine the delight of serving this warm, fragrant bake at a weekend brunch, a pre-holiday gathering, or simply as a special treat for your family on a crisp autumn morning. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience that celebrates the very best of the season, creating lasting memories around the breakfast table.
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Print Recipe
Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Baked French Toast
5 minutes
35 minutes
40 minutes
Breakfast/Brunch
American
Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Baked French Toast, Fall Breakfast, Easy Brunch
6
servings
212
kcal
Michaela Kenkel
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
-
6
slices
of Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Bread
cubed (add extra slices if bread is small) -
4
large eggs -
1
cup
milk -
2
teaspoons
vanilla extract -
1
Tablespoon
ground cinnamon - powdered sugar for serving
- warm maple syrup for serving
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly spray a small baking dish (such as a 9-inch deep dish pie plate or an 8×8 inch casserole dish) with non-stick cooking spray.
-
Arrange the cubed pumpkin cinnamon swirl bread evenly in the bottom of the prepared dish.
-
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until well combined and smooth.
-
Pour the egg mixture over the cubed bread in the baking dish. Use the back of a fork or a spatula to gently press the bread cubes into the egg mixture, ensuring they are thoroughly coated and submerged.
-
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the French toast is golden brown, puffed, and the egg custard is fully set in the center. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean.
-
Remove from oven and let sit for about 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set further. Serve warm with a generous dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of warm maple syrup.
Nutrition
Serving:
1
|
Calories:
212
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
38
g
|
Protein:
6
g
|
Fat:
4
g
|
Saturated Fat:
2
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
2
g
|
Cholesterol:
127
mg
|
Sodium:
102
mg
|
Fiber:
2
g
|
Sugar:
27
g
~~~
If you’re looking for an effortless yet impressive breakfast or brunch to celebrate the fall season, this Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Baked French Toast is an absolute must-try. Its ease of preparation combined with its comforting, seasonal flavors makes it a perfect dish for both busy mornings and special occasions. Give it a whirl, and let the delightful aroma of pumpkin and cinnamon fill your home!
For More Posts from the Secret Recipe Club, check out the links below!
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