Looking to elevate your breakfast game? This Pecan Pie French Toast Recipe is the perfect way to wow your taste buds with a delightful marriage of rich pecan pie flavors and classic French toast comfort. Imagine golden slices of challah soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla custard, baked under a gooey, buttery pecan topping—pure brunch bliss!
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Decadent flavor combo: The pecan pie filling atop creamy French toast creates an irresistible sweet and nutty harmony that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Perfect for special occasions: Whether hosting brunch or treating yourself on a lazy weekend, this dish brings that extra wow factor.
Simple ingredients, big impact: Using pantry staples like eggs, maple syrup, and pecans, it’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
Versatile and customizable: You can add your favorite nuts or drizzle with extra syrup for a personal twist.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The magic of this Pecan Pie French Toast Recipe lies in its straightforward ingredients that each play a key role—challah bread provides that soft, fluffy base, eggs and milk create a rich custard soak, and a luscious pecan topping brings buttery crunch with natural sweetness.
- Challah Bread: Its eggy, soft texture soaks up custard beautifully, but brioche makes a great substitute.
- Eggs & Milk: These form the custard that tenderizes the bread; whole milk gives creaminess, but you can swap in almond milk for a lighter version.
- Cinnamon & Vanilla Extract: Essential for that warm, aromatic profile—don’t skip either.
- Butter & Brown Sugar: They caramelize into a rich sauce that’s the heart of the pecan topping.
- Maple Syrup & Corn Syrup: These sweeteners balance each other—maple adds depth while corn syrup keeps the glaze silky.
- Pecans: Toasted for crunch and nuttiness; walnuts are a fine alternative if you prefer.
- Sea Salt Flakes: A final sprinkle that contrasts the sweetness with a delicate pop of salt.
How to Make Pecan Pie French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Butter a large skillet or baking dish and arrange sliced challah bread evenly inside. This creates the perfect foundation, allowing the custard and pecan topping to soak in beautifully.
Step 2: Whisk the Custard Mixture
In a bowl, beat together eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth and well combined. This custard infuses the bread slices with flavor and moisture, ensuring each bite is tender and aromatic.
Step 3: Pour Custard and Prepare Pecan Glaze
Pour the custard evenly over the bread, letting it soak in. Next, melt butter in a saucepan and whisk brown sugar, maple syrup, corn syrup, and salt over medium heat until it simmers. Remove from heat and stir in pecans, creating that sticky, buttery glaze that brings the pecan pie vibe to life.
Step 4: Combine and Bake
Drizzle the pecan mixture over the soaked bread. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until the top turns golden and bubbly. This final bake melds all the flavors and adds a gorgeous golden finish to your French toast.
How to Serve Pecan Pie French Toast Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top instantly elevates the rich sweetness, adding a delightful contrast you’ll adore. You can also add a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar for a picture-perfect finish.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with fresh fruit like berries or sliced oranges to cut through the richness. A side of crispy bacon or sausage can add a savory counterpoint for those who love a balanced breakfast plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve individual slices topped with chopped pecans and a drizzle of warm maple syrup for a rustic touch. Or, present the whole skillet at the table to encourage guests to dig in family-style—that cozy communal vibe is unbeatable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it an excellent overnight treat to reheat.
Freezing
You can freeze portions wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to one month. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating to maintain that beautiful texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the topping crisp and the bread from getting soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of bread for this recipe?
Absolutely! While challah is ideal for its texture and flavor, brioche or thick-cut white bread are great alternatives that soak up the custard well and yield delicious results.
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Is it okay to substitute corn syrup?
Yes, if you prefer to avoid corn syrup, you can use additional maple syrup or honey, but the texture of the glaze might be slightly less silky and sticky.
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How do I ensure my French toast isn’t soggy?
Use day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption without sogginess, and be sure to bake uncovered at the end to crisp the top nicely.
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Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, swap butter for a plant-based alternative and use your favorite non-dairy milk in the custard—like almond or oat milk. The taste will still be deliciously rich!
Final Thoughts
Now that you have the scoop on this luscious Pecan Pie French Toast Recipe, I hope you’ll take a moment to indulge yourself or surprise loved ones with this delicious treat. It’s one of those rare breakfasts that doubles as dessert and will instantly brighten any morning with its sweet, nutty goodness. Happy baking and enjoy every bite!
Print
Pecan Pie French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This decadent Pecan Pie French Toast combines the rich, buttery flavors of pecan pie with the comforting texture of challah bread, baked to golden perfection. The custard-soaked bread is topped with a luscious pecan and syrup mixture that caramelizes in the oven, making it an indulgent breakfast or brunch treat.
Ingredients
Bread and Custard
- 1 loaf challah bread, sliced
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pecan Topping
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pecans
Garnish
- Sea salt flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the French toast evenly and caramelizing the topping.
- Prepare the Bread: Arrange the sliced challah bread evenly in a buttered 12-14 inch skillet or an 11×7 inch baking dish to create the base layer for the custard and topping.
- Make the Custard: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the arranged challah bread, allowing it to soak in.
- Prepare Pecan Topping: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the unsalted butter, packed light brown sugar, maple syrup, corn syrup, and salt. Whisk continuously until all ingredients melt and blend, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add Pecans: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the pecans, coating them completely with the syrup mixture.
- Assemble: Pour the warm pecan syrup over the custard-soaked bread evenly, ensuring coverage throughout the dish.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow the custard to set and the flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until the French toast is golden brown and bubbly on top, allowing the pecan topping to caramelize beautifully.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle the top with sea salt flakes to enhance the sweetness, then serve warm for a perfect indulgent breakfast or brunch.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale challah bread for best custard absorption and texture.
- If you don’t have corn syrup, you can substitute with additional maple syrup or honey, though texture may vary slightly.
- Sea salt flakes add a nice contrast to the sweetness—do not omit this garnish.
- This dish can be prepared the night before by assembling and refrigerating, then baking fresh in the morning.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute the challah bread with gluten-free brioche or bread.
