If you’re looking for a delightful twist on classic breakfast fare, this French Toast Muffin Cups with Cinnamon Streusel Topping Recipe is absolutely what your mornings have been craving. Imagine the comforting warmth of French toast combined with the fun, handheld convenience of muffin cups, all crowned with a crisp, buttery cinnamon streusel that adds just the right amount of sweetness and crunch. Every bite feels cozy and indulgent, making it a perfect recipe to share with family or treat yourself to on a slow weekend morning. This recipe truly brings together simple ingredients with an irresistible, crowd-pleasing result that brightens any breakfast table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are easy to find and work wonderfully together to create a dish that bursts with flavor, texture, and that inviting golden color we all love. Each component plays an essential role, from the hearty French bread cubes providing a sturdy base, to the sweet and spicy cinnamon-infused custard, all topped off with a buttery streusel that makes every bite extra special.
- French bread (8-9 cups, cubed and dried): Using dried bread helps soak up the custard without turning soggy, giving your muffin cups a perfect texture.
- Large eggs (6): These bind everything and give the custard that rich, fluffy quality essential for French toast.
- Milk (1 cup): Adds creaminess, balancing the custard and keeping the bread moist but not wet.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): A splash of vanilla enhances the sweetness and aroma, layering in warmth.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tsp): Cinnamon provides the classic spice note that pairs beautifully with French toast.
- Brown sugar (2 tbsp): Adds a touch of molasses-rich sweetness to the custard, making each bite comforting.
- Butter (1 tbsp, softened): Blended into the batter, it adds richness and tenderness.
For the streusel topping:
- Unsalted butter (¼ cup, cold): Cold butter helps create a crumbly, flaky streusel texture.
- All-purpose flour (¼ cup): Melts with the butter for that perfect topping that crisps while baking.
- Brown sugar (¼ cup): Sweetens the topping with a deep caramel flavor that complements the cinnamon.
- Ground cinnamon (½ tsp): Infuses the streusel with a warm spice note to match the muffin filling.
How to Make French Toast Muffin Cups with Cinnamon Streusel Topping Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Start by cutting your French bread into roughly one-inch cubes, then let them dry out a bit. You can leave them out overnight or toast them lightly in the oven. This drying process ensures your muffins have the perfect chewy, custardy bite — no sogginess here!
Step 2: Whisk the Custard Base
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and softened butter until everything is fully combined and smooth. This mixture is the heart of our French toast muffin cups, soaking into the bread cubes with a heavenly flavor blend.
Step 3: Combine Bread and Custard
Toss the dried bread cubes into the custard mixture, gently folding to coat each cube thoroughly. Let them rest for a few minutes to absorb the custard fully—this step is what makes those muffin cups delightfully moist and tender inside.
Step 4: Make the Cinnamon Streusel Topping
While the bread soaks, prepare the streusel topping. Using a fork or your fingertips, cut the cold butter into the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This topping will bake into a crisp, sweet layer on each muffin cup, adding wonderful texture and flavor contrast.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Spoon the custard-soaked bread mixture into a greased muffin tin, filling each cup almost to the top. Sprinkle the cinnamon streusel topping generously over each one. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25-30 minutes, until the tops are golden brown, the streusel is crisp, and the custard is set.
How to Serve French Toast Muffin Cups with Cinnamon Streusel Topping Recipe
Garnishes
Once baked, these muffin cups are gorgeous on their own, but adding a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of pure maple syrup can elevate the presentation and flavor to cafe-level indulgence. Fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream also make fantastic, colorful accompaniments that bring fresh brightness to the dish.
Side Dishes
For a complete breakfast or brunch, pair these muffin cups with crisp, savory sides like bacon strips or sausage links. A bowl of fresh fruit salad can balance the sweetness, and a warm cup of coffee or spiced chai tea makes the perfect beverage pairing to round out your meal experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the French Toast Muffin Cups directly in the muffin tin for a rustic charm, or carefully remove them onto a beautiful platter with a sprinkle of chopped nuts or toasted coconut on top of the streusel for extra flair. You can even offer a variety of toppings on the side, allowing everyone to customize their own cup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover French Toast Muffin Cups with Cinnamon Streusel Topping Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making them a great option for quick breakfasts during a busy week.
Freezing
To keep these muffins even longer, freeze them unbaked or baked. For unbaked cups, wrap the muffin tin tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month. For baked ones, store individually wrapped muffins in a freezer-safe bag. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for a grab-and-go treat.
Reheating
Reheat your muffin cups in a toaster oven or regular oven at 325°F until warmed through and the streusel regains its crispness, usually 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as the topping may lose its delightful crunch.
FAQs
Can I use bread other than French bread for this recipe?
Absolutely! While French bread is ideal for its texture and flavor, hearty breads like sourdough or challah also work wonderfully. Just make sure the bread is a bit stale or dried out to absorb the custard without becoming mushy.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
You can substitute the milk with almond, oat, or soy milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative for the streusel topping. The eggs are essential for binding, but the dairy swaps won’t sacrifice flavor or texture.
How far ahead can I prepare the French Toast Muffin Cups with Cinnamon Streusel Topping Recipe?
You can prep the custard and bread mixture the night before and assemble just before baking. This makes mornings easier and lets the flavors really meld together for an even richer taste.
Can I add fruit inside the muffin cups before baking?
Definitely! Small chunks of apples or berries swirl baked inside add a lovely freshness and a pop of color. Just be sure not to overload the cups so they bake evenly.
What’s the best way to reheat without losing the streusel crunch?
Reheating in an oven or toaster oven is ideal as it revives the crispiness of the streusel topping, unlike microwaving, which tends to make it soggy.
Final Thoughts
This French Toast Muffin Cups with Cinnamon Streusel Topping Recipe is a heartwarming way to brighten any morning with minimal fuss but maximum flavor. Whether for a cozy weekend breakfast or a festive brunch, these muffin cups are sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen. Give them a try and watch how quickly they become a favorite that everyone asks for again and again.
PrintFrench Toast Muffin Cups with Cinnamon Streusel Topping Recipe
French Toast Muffin Cups are a delightful twist on the classic breakfast favorite. These bite-sized treats combine cubed French bread soaked in a rich custard mixture with a buttery cinnamon streusel topping. Perfect for brunch or a cozy breakfast, they bake up golden, crispy on the edges, and tender inside.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffin cups
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Muffins
- 8–9 cups French bread, cubed and dried
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp butter, softened
Streusel Topping
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the muffin cups.
- Prepare the bread: Cube the French bread into 1-inch pieces and allow them to dry out if not already dried. This helps them soak up the custard better without becoming mushy.
- Make the custard mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, brown sugar, and softened butter until well combined.
- Combine bread with custard: Add the cubed bread into the custard mixture, tossing gently to ensure all pieces are well coated. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes so the bread can absorb the custard.
- Prepare the streusel topping: Using a fork or pastry blender, cut the cold unsalted butter into the flour, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble the muffin cups: Spoon the custard-soaked bread evenly into a greased muffin tin, filling each cup. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over each muffin cup.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow the French Toast Muffin Cups to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm for the best taste.
Notes
- You can use day-old French bread or lightly toast fresh bread cubes to dry them out.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or orange zest to the custard mixture.
- These muffin cups freeze well; reheat in the oven for best texture.
- To make them dairy-free, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free butter alternative.
- Serve with maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar for added sweetness.
