Next Post
My 2017 Thanksgiving Menu and Guide.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Happy Halloween! I can’t think of a better way to start off Halloween than with this Pumpkin Spice French Toast with Cider Syrup.
All of you trick-or-treaters and candy distributors need a good breakfast to fuel your night, right?
Yes, of course!
Okay, but in all seriousness, happiest Halloween everyone! Today has got to be one of the most fun days of the year and I’m excited, because I am actually planning to take a little bit of the night off and go for a quick round of trick-or-treating with Asher and Merle (the dog)…or at least that’s the plan as of right now. It snowed last night, but it’s not supposed to snow tonight. If it does, I’ll probably end up staying inside where it’s warm and just snapping a quick photo of Asher before she heads out.
I know, I know, lame sister. But guys when it snows at night, it’s cold, and I hate being cold, so ya.
In other related news, Asher has decided to be Hermione Granger again this year, but this time she is bringing Merle along as the Griffindor lion. Should be very interesting. I will be sure to document this all on Instagram stories, so follow along! What are your Halloween night plans? I know it’s Tuesday and we have to work in the morning, but hoping you have something fun planned. I am making this crockpot chili, and these pretzels, and hopefully watching a Halloween movie.
Moving on…
It’s been far too long since I shared a breakfast recipe, but it’s OK because this Pumpkin Spice French Toast with Cider Syrup was well worth the wait. I shot this french toast last week and I still cannot stop thinking about it. I’ve been sitting here, just staring at the photo for the last ten minutes trying to come up with words to describe how delicious this pumpkin french toast is, but honestly?
There are no words good enough. This french toast is everything and then some, and if I could, I’d probably make it once a week for brunch (…err okay probably more like breakfast for dinner) for the entire month of November.
It’s that good!
But then, how could anything involving brioche, pumpkin, pumpkin spice, cider, and maple not be deliciously good? It’s a winning fall combo.
And you know? I didn’t even mention the best part?
I ended up stuffing a little cream cheese inside my bread. Yes, I did. Here’s the thing, the cream cheese is totally not a must, but it is so delicious that it kind of is. I wasn’t planning on making a stuffed french toast, but I accidentally cut my bread on the seriously thick side (oops) and it just made me think I should add a little cream cheese in the middle of each slice.
Seemed like the right thing to do.
It was.
Quick recipe break down…brioche (I homemade mine using this recipe and it was incredible), soaked in an eggy, pumpkin pumpkin + pumpkin spiced batter, cooked in a sizzling hot pan, and finished with sweet cider maple syrup.
Simple, but perfect in every way.
I also added a little bourbon to my batter. And while you can omit it, I think it adds a nice hint of warm tones and really compliments the pumpkin flavor.
And the cider syrup? You might not think you need this, but you do. It just adds an extra layer of fall flavor that you really do need.
And finally? If your Halloween night doesn’t go quite as planned, make this french toast for dinner and all will be good.
Pumpkin Spice French Toast with Cider Syrup
Servings: 6 servings
Calories Per Serving: 509 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche bread, sliced into 1" thick slices
- 8 ounces cream cheese (optional)
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- butter, for greasing
Cider Syrup
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
Instructions
- 1. If using cream cheese, slice 3/4 of the way through the bread to create room for the cream cheese, leaving the top portion of the bread whole (see photo above). Gently smear the cream cheese inside, then gently push down to seal. It does not have to be perfect.2. In a shallow, medium size bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, milk, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt until combined. Dip the stuffed bread into the egg mixture, allowing each side to sit for 1-2 minutes in the egg mixture. The bread can sit in the eggs mix up to overnight, if desired.
3. When ready to cook, heat a large skillet over medium heat and coat with butter. When the skillet is hot, cook the bread in batches (do not overcrowd) until golden and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove and serve immediately drizzled with the cider syrup (below). ENJOY!
Cider Syrup
- 1. Add the maple syrup, and apple cider to a medium size sauce pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the mixture has reduced by half and is syrupy. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Keep warm until ready to serve or store in a glass jar and warm over the stove before serving with the french toast.
Actually? Let’s skip the candy and just do pumpkin french toast tonight? Yes, do this.
Instead of pumpkin purée, I used your pumpkin butter recipe since I used all my pumpkin purée that I had on hand for that. It was so delicious! Perfect for this rainy fall day! ?
Amazing! Thank you so much for trying this Carley! xTieghan
I really love the pumpkin, but it is generally a subtle flavor. Any suggestions for making the batter more “pumpkiny”? Just add more pumpkin puree?
Hi Kate! The spices really help to bring out the pumpkin flavor, but I would double the pumpkin, but first simmer the canned pumpkin in the stove until it thickens up a bit. This helps release more pumpkin flavors. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
I did this one this morning and there is just one thing to say: OMG this is so f….. delicious ^_^. Pumpkin is really what makes me love fall, and with all those spices on top of it, it was the perfect way to full my body after my Sunday morning run and feel very confortable home. Thanks for this amazing recipe, once again you rock 🙂
That is so great! I am really glad you enjoyed these Manu, thanks!
These look so yummy!!!
Love the touch of the cider syrup!
Thank you Carlos!
Made it this morning sans cream cheese as I didn’t have it on hand. Yum. Just yum. The syrup was divine.
Great! I am so glad you enjoyed this French toast Christin!
I’m seriously in love with this French toast! Fall breakfast perfection! 🙂
Yes! So happy you’re loving this Laura!
I made this for dinner tonight, and the entire family put this on the “keeper” list.
That is amazing! Thank you Martha!
OH my goodness this looks ands sounds heavenly! I recently did 7 days of pumpkin spice and wish I had stumbled upon this sooner!!! I cant wait to try the recipe as well as the bread recipe!
x Sabrina
http://mymiaou.com
I hope you love this! Thanks Sabrina!
Hey Tieghan,
This French toast looks lovely! I love breakfast and this seems the the perfect way to start a Holliday morning. I hope you’re having an incredible Halloween and I’m looking forward to more breakfast recipes (hopefully ?). Stay warm!
Hi!
I am so happy you are loving this French toast! I hope you had a great Halloween Kristin!
This is quite the impressive French toast, Tieghan! I don’t like being cold either… and it’s currently snowing here. Ugh. That’s so fun you have a little sister you can trick-or-treat with, though. 🙂 Happy Halloween!
Yes I am so happy I get to go with her! Thank you Natasha!
I totally understand you. Going outside in the evening into a snowy weather isn’t fun and I’d prefer warm blankets and cosiness at home. But I’m exctited to see little Asher as Hermione with her lion, she certainly will be adorable!
As for the toast, WHOA! That is a huge fair slice there! No wonder you broke it into two by adding a cream cheese, it screamed stright for it! And thick layer of cream cheese never hurts, am I right? ?? I’m all about pumpkin and spices so this really appeals to me ?? Only if I had the courage to prepare it for myself.. ??? Must have been delicious ??
I am so glad you’re liking this toast! You totally have to try this! Thank you!
I can easily pass on pancakes, waffles, and sweet rolls. Now French toast is a different story. That is one sweet breakfast that I would love to fix for myself. It’s been years since I made French toast! Used to make it quite often for my kids but certainly not as fancy as this recipe. I’m pinning and making it!!
Agreed French toast is just too yummy!! I hope you love this recipe Marisa! Thank you!
This french toast looks divine! Also that costume sounds adorable. Have a great holiday! xoxo
Thanks so much Kelsey! I hope you love this!
This looks incredible!! Oh my NOM!!
Rebecca
xx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Haha thank you Rebecca!
Fabulous recipe (as always)! Happy Halloween and have fun! 🙂
Thank you Liz! Happy Halloween to you!