Description
This Sheet Pan Gingerbread French Toast is a festive and delicious twist on traditional French toast, infused with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Baked all at once on a sheet pan, it’s perfect for serving a crowd during holiday mornings or special brunches. Thick slices of Texas-style bread are dipped in a spiced egg and molasses mixture, then baked to golden perfection, creating a soft, flavorful breakfast treat with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Egg Mixture
- 6 large eggs (room temperature)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted but not hot)
- 3 tablespoons unsulphured molasses (not blackstrap, room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons pancake syrup (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk (room temperature)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (room temperature)
French Toast
- 12 slices Texas sliced bread (thick sliced bread)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready when your French toast is prepared.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet. Line a large 21” x 15” baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray the parchment with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients and Spices. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, molasses, pancake syrup, light brown sugar, ground ginger, cinnamon, vanilla extract, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. Whisk thoroughly to break up any clumps and ensure an even spice distribution. It’s crucial to use room temperature ingredients to avoid clumping of the butter or premature cooking of the eggs.
- Add Milk and Cream. Whisk the milk and heavy cream into the egg and spice mixture, blending everything together smoothly.
- Dip the Bread. One slice at a time, dip both sides of each bread slice into the mixture, ensuring it’s well-coated but not overly soaked. Use a spatula or forks to gently transfer each soaked slice onto the prepared baking sheet. Stir the mixture again before dipping each slice to redistribute the spices evenly as they tend to settle at the bottom.
- Bake the French Toast. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then, carefully remove the tray, flip each slice to ensure even baking, and return to the oven for an additional 17-20 minutes until the French toast is fully baked, soft, but not too squishy.
- Serve. Remove from the oven, serve warm, and enjoy this flavorful gingerbread-inspired breakfast treat.
Notes
- Use thick sliced bread like Texas toast for best results—thin bread can become too soggy.
- Room temperature ingredients are key to prevent clumping and ensure even mixing.
- Stir the batter frequently between dipping to keep the spices well-distributed.
- You can prepare the mixture the night before and refrigerate it, but be sure to stir well before dipping the bread.
- Optional toppings include powdered sugar, maple syrup, whipped cream, or fresh fruit to enhance the flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
