Name: Gingerbread French Toast Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 slices brioche bread; 4 large eggs; 2 cups half and half; 2 Tbsp molasses; 2 Tbsp confectioner's sugar; 1 tsp ground ginger; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp allspice; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/4 tsp ground cloves

There's something truly cozy about the scent of warm spices mingling with toasted bread on a lazy morning. This Gingerbread French Toast Recipe brings that comforting experience right to your breakfast table, combining rich molasses and fragrant spices for a festive twist that’s just perfect for any chilly day.

The image shows a stack of two thick slices of toasted bread with a golden-brown crust and a soft, slightly textured inside. On the top slice, there is a small square of melting butter that is glossy and slowly spreading. A silver fork is pressing into the top slice, causing the melted butter and syrup to glisten and drip slightly over the edges. The bread is on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The background is softly blurred, focusing all attention on the rich textures and colors of the toast and butter. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread French Toast Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread French Toast Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread French Toast Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe is one of those dishes that instantly feels like a warm hug. I love how the combination of spices and molasses transforms classic French toast into something really special, and I bet you’ll feel the same once you try it.

Comfort in every bite: The warm blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves makes this French toast wonderfully cozy and aromatic.
Simple ingredients, big impact: You don’t need fancy additions to make this shine—it’s all about that perfect spice balance and molasses sweetness.
Perfect for holidays or daily breakfast: Whether you’re hosting a brunch or treating yourself, this recipe fits any occasion.
Easy and straightforward: You won’t stress over complicated steps—just soak, cook, and enjoy!

A stack of three toasted bread slices with golden-brown crispy edges and darker brown spots stands in the center of a white plate with a white marbled texture background. On top of the stack, there is a melting square of butter spreading slightly over the top slice. The toast's texture looks crispy yet soft inside. To the left of the plate, a stainless steel knife and fork lie next to each other, partly visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe lies in its carefully chosen ingredients. The spices complement each other perfectly, and molasses adds a deep, rich sweetness that turns ordinary French toast into something memorable.

Flat lay of fresh uncut brioche bread slices arranged neatly, four whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of creamy half and half, a small white bowl filled with glossy dark molasses, a small white bowl of fine white confectioner's sugar, and separate small white bowls each containing ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves — all ingredients looking fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Brioche bread: This bread’s buttery, tender crumb soaks up the custard beautifully without falling apart, giving you that perfect soft-yet-structured toast.
Eggs: They create the custard base, binding everything and helping the toast hold together while cooking.
Half and half: Its richness makes the custard creamy without being too heavy, striking just the right balance.
Molasses: This is what sets the gingerbread flavor apart—its deep, molasses sweetness is both nostalgic and flavorful.
Confectioner's sugar: Adds a hint of extra sweetness and depth that blends smoothly with molasses.
Spices (ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves): These warm spices mingle to recreate that classic gingerbread taste, giving your toast that irresistible holiday vibe.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I like to switch up the bread sometimes or add a splash of vanilla to the custard for extra depth. Feel free to make this recipe truly yours — after all, that’s part of the fun!

Variation: Once, I swapped out brioche for thick-cut challah, and it was fantastic—the texture was slightly different but still worked perfectly with the custard.
Dairy-free option: Use coconut milk or almond milk instead of half and half to keep it creamy but friendly for dairy-free diets.
Extra indulgence: Adding a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cardamom can elevate the flavor subtly but beautifully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread French Toast Recipe

Step 1: Whisk up the perfect custard

Start by cracking the eggs into a bowl and whisking them thoroughly so there are no clumps—this helps create a smooth custard. Then add the half and half, molasses, confectioner's sugar, and all the spices. Whisk everything together until it’s fully combined and fragrant. The aroma alone makes me excited for breakfast!

Step 2: Preheat your cooking surface

If you have an electric griddle, set it to 375°F—it gives you a nice, even heat that prevents burning. Otherwise, a medium to medium-high stovetop pan works just as well; just lightly oil it to keep the toast from sticking. I like using a little melted butter, but a neutral oil is fine too.

Step 3: Soak and cook the bread

Dunk each slice of brioche into the custard mixture for about 10 seconds per side. Don’t soak too long or the bread will get soggy and fall apart. Next, place it on your hot pan or griddle and cook for roughly 2 minutes per side, watching closely for a beautiful golden-brown color. Keep the heat moderate so the center cooks through without burning the outside.

Step 4: Serve immediately and enjoy

Once each piece is perfectly cooked, serve it straight away with a pat of butter and a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup. The contrast between the crisp, spiced exterior and the soft, tender interior is just divine.

Top Tip

From my experiments with this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe, a couple of tricks stand out that make all the difference between good and great.

Custard balance: Be sure to whisk the eggs and custard mixture thoroughly so the spices are evenly distributed, preventing any clumps of spice or molasses.
Soak time: Don’t over-soak the bread! About 10 seconds per side is enough to soak up flavor without making it soggy and fragile.
Heat control: Keep the pan at medium heat to allow the toast to cook through gently, avoiding burnt outsides and raw centers.
Use thick slices: Slices that are at least ¾ inch thick hold up better during soaking and cooking, resulting in a perfect texture.

How to Serve Gingerbread French Toast Recipe

Gingerbread French Toast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often top mine with a simple pat of butter and pure maple syrup, but you can also add a dusting of powdered sugar or a handful of fresh berries. A dollop of whipped cream can add a lovely creamy contrast, too. I find those little extras make it feel extra festive and special.

Side Dishes

This pairs wonderfully with crisp bacon or sausage for some savory balance. I also like serving it alongside a fruit salad with citrus notes to brighten up the meal. For a cozy brunch, add some spiced apple compote or stewed pears for a real fall vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday brunch, I like to stack the slices into a tower drizzled with syrup and scatter some crushed pecans or walnuts on top. Another fun idea is to cut the French toast into smaller shapes using cookie cutters—kids love that surprise! Serve it on a bright, festive platter with cinnamon sticks as decoration.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I recommend reheating gently so they don’t dry out—more on that below.

Freezing

I’ve frozen Gingerbread French Toast successfully by first letting the slices cool completely, then layering them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They freeze well for up to a month, making them great for busy mornings.

Reheating

For best texture, I reheat leftover slices in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for about 8–10 minutes. This keeps them crisp on the outside while warming through nicely. The microwave is okay in a pinch but can make French toast soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe with bread other than brioche?

Absolutely! While brioche is ideal for its rich texture and flavor, thick-cut challah, Texas toast, or even sturdy sourdough can work well too. Just make sure your bread is thick enough to soak up the custard without falling apart.

How do I avoid soggy French toast when making this recipe?

Great question! The key is soaking the bread for just about 10 seconds per side—enough to absorb flavor but not so much it becomes mushy. Also, cooking at medium heat lets the toast firm up inside without burning outside.

Can I prepare the custard mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the custard up to a day in advance and refrigerate it. Just give it a good whisk before soaking your bread to recombine any separated ingredients.

What toppings work best with this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe?

Maple syrup and butter are classic and delicious, but you might also try fresh berries, whipped cream, powdered sugar, or even a dollop of apple butter. Nuts like pecans add a lovely crunch as well.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread French Toast Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen, especially when the days get shorter and the holidays draw near. It’s cozy, comforting, and just a little bit indulgent—the perfect way to start a morning on the right foot. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do. So grab your favorite bread, mix up that spicy custard, and let this recipe become a new breakfast favorite.