Save This decadent breakfast creation transforms ordinary French toast into something extraordinary by incorporating the beloved flavors of cinnamon rolls. Each bite delivers crispy exterior giving way to a soft, gooey center with ribbons of cinnamon sugar swirled throughout, finished with a cream cheese glaze that melts into all the nooks and crannies.
I created this recipe one lazy Sunday morning when my family couldn't decide between French toast and cinnamon rolls. The compromise became our new favorite tradition, and now it's requested almost every weekend.
Ingredients
- Thick cut brioche bread: provides the perfect base with its buttery richness and ability to hold up to the egg mixture without becoming soggy
- Eggs: create that classic custard texture that defines great French toast
- Whole milk and heavy cream: add richness and help create a velvety interior
- Cinnamon: appears twice in this recipe because its warm spicy notes are essential to the cinnamon roll experience
- Brown sugar: caramelizes beautifully to create those sticky sweet pockets reminiscent of cinnamon roll filling
- Cream cheese: forms the base of an irresistible glaze that sets these apart from ordinary French toast
- Vanilla extract: enhances all the other flavors while adding its own aromatic sweetness
Instructions
- Prepare the egg mixture:
- Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until completely smooth and well combined. The consistency should be uniform with no streaks of egg white remaining. This mixture will serve as the custard base that transforms ordinary bread into French toast.
- Make the cinnamon swirl filling:
- Combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl, stirring until it forms a smooth paste with no sugar lumps. This mixture should be thick enough to pipe or spoon but still fluid enough to spread as it heats. The filling is what gives these French toast fingers their cinnamon roll identity.
- Prepare the bread:
- Stack your bread slices and trim off the crusts using a sharp knife for clean edges. Cut each slice into three equal fingers. These uniform pieces ensure even cooking and create the perfect handheld breakfast treat. Using the tip of your knife, create a pocket down the center of each piece without cutting all the way through.
- Fill the bread fingers:
- Carefully spoon or pipe the cinnamon mixture into the pocket you created in each bread finger. Dont overfill as some will ooze out during cooking, but ensure there is enough to create that distinctive cinnamon swirl flavor throughout the toast.
- Cook to golden perfection:
- Heat your skillet over medium heat and add butter until it foams slightly. Dip each filled bread finger into the egg mixture, ensuring all sides are coated but not soggy. Place in the hot skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning carefully to achieve golden brown perfection on all surfaces. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Create the cream cheese glaze:
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth and free of lumps, then whisk in powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until you achieve a pourable consistency. The glaze should be thin enough to drizzle but thick enough to cling to the warm French toast.
- Serve and enjoy:
- Arrange the warm French toast fingers on plates and drizzle generously with the cream cheese glaze. Serve immediately while the exterior is still crisp and the interior warm and gooey.
Save The cinnamon swirl filling is what truly makes this recipe special. I discovered that letting the butter cool slightly before mixing with sugar and cinnamon creates the perfect consistency for filling. My family particularly loves when tiny bits of the filling caramelize on the outside during cooking, creating little crispy sweet spots throughout.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
These French toast fingers are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving as it makes them soggy.
You can prepare the egg mixture and cinnamon swirl paste the night before and refrigerate separately. In the morning, simply cut and fill the bread, then dip and cook. The cream cheese glaze can also be made ahead and gently reheated.
Creative Variations
Transform this recipe throughout the year by incorporating seasonal elements. In summer, add fresh berries to the filling or as a topping. During fall, mix in some pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice to the egg mixture. Winter holidays call for a touch of eggnog in place of some of the milk and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
For a tropical twist, replace some of the milk with coconut milk and add diced mango as a topping. Coffee lovers might appreciate a teaspoon of espresso powder added to the glaze for a mocha-cinnamon experience.
Serving Suggestions
While these French toast fingers are delicious on their own, they truly shine as part of a complete breakfast spread. Serve alongside fresh fruit to cut through the richness and add nutritional balance. A side of crispy bacon provides a savory counterpoint to the sweet toast.
For a special brunch, create a DIY French toast finger bar with various toppings like fresh berries, sliced bananas, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, and different syrups. Offer both the cream cheese glaze and warm maple syrup for guests to customize their breakfast experience.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your French toast fingers are browning too quickly on the outside but remain undercooked inside, your heat is likely too high. Lower the temperature and increase cooking time slightly.
For bread that seems to fall apart when dipped, your bread may be too soft or your egg mixture too thin. Try using slightly stale bread or reducing the amount of milk in the egg mixture.
Save These tips will help you achieve restaurant-quality French toast fingers right in your own kitchen, ensuring a delightful start to any day.
Recipe FAQ
- → What type of bread works best for these French toast fingers?
Thick-cut brioche is ideal for its soft crumb and sturdiness. Challah or Texas toast are suitable alternatives for a similar result.
- → How do I achieve the cinnamon swirl inside the toast?
Create a shallow slit down each bread finger and spoon or pipe in the cinnamon butter mixture before soaking in the egg custard.
- → Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the cream cheese glaze in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and whisk before drizzling to restore its texture.
- → How can I add extra crunch or texture?
Roll the cooked fingers in cinnamon sugar or add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling for more texture and flavor.
- → Are there any recommended toppings or sides?
Fresh berries, maple syrup, or a dusting of powdered sugar pair well and add brightness to the sweet, rich toast sticks.