There’s nothing quite like waking up to the cozy scents of spices and molasses wafting through the kitchen. This Gingerbread French Toast Recipe transforms simple morning toast into a festive, flavorful treat that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

A close-up view of two thick slices of golden brown French toast stacked on a white plate, the top slice has a square piece of melting butter in the center with shiny syrup dripping down the sides. A fork is pressing gently into the top slice, showing the soft texture of the toast. The background is a white marbled texture. 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

I remember making this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe one chilly morning in December, and it instantly became a household favorite. It’s not just breakfast—it’s an experience that fills your kitchen with holiday cheer, no matter the season.

Cozy Warm Spices: The blend of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg gives each bite a festive flavor that’s nostalgic and comforting.
Molasses Magic: Adding molasses creates a rich, slightly smoky sweetness that sets this French toast apart from the ordinary.
Perfect Texture: Using brioche bread ensures a soft, buttery inside and a beautifully crispy exterior every time.
Quick and Simple: Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s a fuss-free indulgence worthy of a lazy weekend breakfast—or any day you want to make special.

A stack of three toasted slices of golden brown French toast sits on a white plate with a white marbled surface beneath. Each slice has a slightly crispy texture with darker browned spots on the edges and surface. On top of the stack, there is a square pat of butter starting to melt, creating a shiny, creamy layer on the toast. To the side of the plate, there is a shiny silver knife and fork resting nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe plays a role in balancing flavor and texture. I always aim to use quality pantry staples to get the most out of this simple but delicious combo.

Flat lay of fresh slices of golden brioche bread arranged neatly, four whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of half and half, a small white bowl of dark molasses, a small white bowl of powdered confectioner's sugar, a small white bowl holding ground ginger, another small white bowl containing ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground allspice, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, and a small white bowl with ground cloves, all perfectly spaced and symmetrical 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: Its rich, buttery crumb absorbs the egg mixture beautifully without getting soggy.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness—make sure to whisk them well so the custard is smooth and even.
Half and half: Offers creaminess, giving the custard a luscious texture that’s better than using milk alone.
Molasses: The star of this recipe, bringing deep, warm sweetness and that classic gingerbread flavor.
Confectioner's sugar: Sweetens the custard subtly and helps create a nice caramelization when cooking.
Ginger: Adds a fresh, zesty spice that wakes up your tastebuds.
Cinnamon: Brings warmth and that familiar holiday aroma.
Allspice: Hints at cloves and nutmeg for a complex spice profile.
Nutmeg: A pinch enhances the richness of the custard with woody, sweet notes.
Ground cloves: Just a touch goes a long way to deepen the spices without overpowering.

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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 parts about this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to suit your taste or whatever’s in your pantry. I’ve played around with adding a splash of vanilla extract or swapping half and half for full cream milk when I want it lighter.

Variation: I once tried it with a mix of cinnamon and cardamom for an exotic twist that my family absolutely adored. You could also use gluten-free bread to keep it allergen-friendly without losing the flavor.
Sweeteners: If you don't have molasses, a mix of dark brown sugar and a bit of maple syrup works as a decent substitute for that richness.
Spice levels: Feel free to adjust the spices—if you love ginger, sprinkle in a bit more for extra zing.

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

Step 1: Whisk the custard mix with care

I start by breaking the eggs in a bowl and whisking them thoroughly until they’re evenly combined—that’s key for a smooth custard. Then, I add the half and half, molasses, confectioner's sugar, and all the warm spices. I always give it another good whisk to fully incorporate the molasses so every slice gets that deep gingerbread flavor.

Step 2: Preheat your cooking surface

If you’re using an electric griddle, set it to 375°F. On the stovetop, I go with medium to medium-high heat and lightly oil the pan. The goal here is a golden crust without burning, so keeping the temperature steady is your best friend.

Step 3: Soak the bread just right

Dunk each slice of brioche for about 10 seconds per side. Too long and it gets soggy; too short and it won’t absorb enough custard. This timing helps the bread soak up just enough liquid to get perfectly creamy inside after cooking.

Step 4: Cook to golden perfection

Place the soaked bread on your hot pan or griddle and cook for about 2 minutes on each side. Look for a rich golden brown color—not too dark, as you want it cooked through but still tender. Keeping the heat at medium allows the inside to set before the outside crisps up.

Step 5: Serve immediately

I love serving this topped with a pat of butter and a generous drizzle of pure maple syrup. It melts into the warm toast beautifully, creating a perfect sweet-spicy combo that’ll transport you to cozy holiday mornings.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things that really help this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe shine. These tips came from trial and error and are my go-to tricks for consistent success.

Use brioche or thick-cut bread: Regular sliced bread can get soggy. Brioche has the perfect density and buttery flavor for this custard soak.
Don’t skip warming the pan first: Cooking on a cold surface leads to uneven browning and soggy toast.
Quick soak is key: Too long in the custard and your toast will fall apart; too short and it lacks flavor and richness.
Keep medium heat steady: High heat scorches the outside while leaving the inside undercooked—patience is everything.

How to Serve Gingerbread French Toast Recipe

Gingerbread French Toast - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with simple garnishes that don’t compete with the spice blend—like a dusting of powdered sugar, fresh orange slices, or a few chopped pecans for crunch. Sometimes I add a dollop of vanilla whipped cream if we’re feeling extra indulgent.

Side Dishes

This French toast goes great with crispy bacon or sausage links for a savory counterbalance, plus a cup of hot coffee or spiced chai to complement the flavor profile. For a lighter touch, fresh fruit salad is always a winner.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday brunch, I’ve layered slices in a stack, drizzled them with caramel sauce, and sprinkled edible gold dust on top for a festive sparkle. You can also cut into small cubes and make gingerbread French toast skewers served with dipping sauces like maple or cream cheese frosting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers—and trust me, it’s rare—I keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay good for up to two days, but the texture changes slightly as the crispy exterior softens.

Freezing

I like to freeze extra cooked slices individually on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. This way, they don’t stick together. Frozen French toast reheats wonderfully and gives you a quick grab-and-go breakfast option.

Reheating

To revive that fresh-off-the-griddle texture, I reheat leftovers in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes. It crisps up the outside nicely without drying out the inside like the microwave tends to do.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Gingerbread French Toast Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the half and half with canned coconut milk or any plant-based milk for a dairy-free version. Just make sure it’s a rich, creamy kind to maintain that custard richness.

What’s the best bread for Gingerbread French Toast Recipe?

Brioche is my top pick because of its buttery texture and ability to soak up the custard without falling apart. Challah or Texas toast also work well if you can’t find brioche.

Can I prepare the custard mixture the night before?

Yes! You can mix the eggs, half and half, molasses, sugar, and spices the night before and keep it refrigerated. Just give it a good whisk before soaking your bread in the morning.

How do I prevent the French toast from getting soggy?

The key is to soak the bread just long enough (about 10 seconds per side). Also, cooking over medium heat allows the bread to cook through and get a crunchy crust without becoming mushy inside. Using thicker slices like brioche helps too!

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread French Toast Recipe is one of those dishes that reminds me why breakfast can be the best meal of the day. It’s simple yet special, and once you get that first bite of warm spices and molasses sweetness, you’ll want to make it over and over. I’m excited for you to try it and make it part of your own cozy kitchen traditions.