The holiday season is all about comforting rituals, and for me, that means skipping the bacon sometimes for something truly over-the-top sweet in the morning. Forget your basic cinnamon sugar routine! This isn’t just breakfast; this is a celebration on a plate. Honestly, these are the only days of the year I allow myself to be this indulgent.

What makes this recipe a total game-changer for Christmas morning or Christmas Eve brunch is swapping out milk for rich, spiced eggnog in that classic batter. Making Eggnog French Toast instantly elevates the whole experience. I first tried this because I always end up with leftover eggnog that just stares accusingly at me from the fridge. Trust me, this is the best way to use it all up!

The nutmeg blends perfectly with the eggy custard, creating magic. It’s cozy, festive, and unbelievably fast to pull together, which means more time for coffee and less time stressing in the kitchen. You are going to absolutely love this tradition!

Why This Eggnog French Toast Recipe Shines

This recipe is just genius for a quick holiday morning treat. I love it because it’s practically foolproof, and it really does taste like you spent way more time on it than you did. You might want to check out how to make that classic eggnog drink separately, but for breakfast, this is it!

It captures all those cozy holiday spices instantly.
Prep time is five minutes—you can’t beat that on a busy morning.
The thick slices soak up the custard perfectly without falling apart.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Eggnog French Toast

Okay, listen closely, because the quality of your ingredients here is what makes this breakfast go from good to legendary. I use a specific type of bread—you can’t just grab the flimsy sandwich loaf, or it’ll disintegrate in that beautiful batter! We want substance!

For the Eggnog French Toast Batter

This is where the flavor lives. We are keeping it simple, but potent. You need:

2 large eggs
1 cup eggnog (use the good stuff!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated is even better if you have it!)

For Cooking and Serving Your Eggnog French Toast

For the structure and the finish, make sure you have these ready to go when the batter is mixing. Remember: thick slices are non-negotiable for success!

6 slices thick bread (challah or brioche are my absolute favorites for richness!)
1 tablespoon butter for cooking (don’t skimp here for browning)
Powdered sugar for dusting
Maple syrup for serving (I like mine warm!)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Eggnog French Toast

This is where the assembly happens, and trust me, you want to move with purpose but without rushing, especially when dealing with that lovely eggnog mixture. Since this breakfast comes together so fast, make sure your serving plates are standing by. You don’t want this perfection getting cold while you wait!

Preparing the Eggnog French Toast Dipping Mixture

First things first: grab a shallow dish—wider than your bread slices is best. In that dish, you’re going to whisk those 2 eggs until they’re light yellow. Then pour in the cup of eggnog and the vanilla extract. Whisk everything together really gently until it’s blended. Then, finally, sprinkle in that ground nutmeg. You need to make sure that nutmeg is totally incorporated because you don’t want to bite into a clump of it later!

Soaking and Cooking the Eggnog French Toast Slices

Now for the soaking! Dip one slice of your thick bread into that eggnog mixture. You want a good, even coat on both sides, but don’t let it sit longer than about 30 seconds per side. If it soaks too long, it gets soggy, and we’re aiming for that gorgeous, slightly crisp edge, not soup!

Next, heat your large skillet over medium heat and melt down that tablespoon of butter. When the butter is sizzling happily, lay the soaked slices down. Cook them for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side until it’s a deep, lovely golden brown. Flip them carefully—maybe you shouldn’t crowd the pan; one or two slices at a time works best so they truly fry instead of steam. Cook the other side for another 3 to 4 minutes until done. If you need more butter for the next batch, just toss in a small knob!

Once they’re perfectly done, pull them out of the pan. If you need more ideas on keeping liquids perfectly balanced, I have a great piece about the fat-free mistake people make with iced tea that you might find interesting for general kitchen science.

Tips for Achieving the Best Eggnog French Toast

I’ve learned a few things over the years making this recipe, and little tweaks make a massive difference between good Eggnog French Toast and absolutely unforgettable holiday breakfast! My number one piece of advice, straight from my notes, is using bread that’s maybe a day old. Seriously, day-old bread absorbs all that rich eggnog custard way better. If it’s too fresh, it gets mushy fast underneath the spices.

Also, remember I said challah or brioche? That higher fat content creates an unbelievably tender center once it cooks. That’s key!

Here’s my extra tip for that perfect golden crust: make sure your butter is foamy but not actually brown when you put the bread in. Also, keep the heat steady on medium. Too high, and the sugar in the eggnog burns before the center cooks through. If you’re looking for a great syrup to go with this, you should definitely check out my guide on making simple syrup; you can spice that up slightly, too!

Variations for Your Eggnog French Toast

Even though this Eggnog French Toast is pretty perfect right out of the gate, mixing things up adds fun to holiday mornings! Honestly, you only need a tiny adjustment to make it feel like a brand new treat.

If you want to ramp up that boozy flavor without adding actual liquor, try adding just a half teaspoon of rum extract right into your dipping mixture along with the vanilla. Wow, that makes a difference!

For toppings, ditching the plain sugar sometimes is nice. I love topping mine with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and finely crushed toasted pecans for a great crunch. It gives it some texture contrast. Or, if you feel like adding more fruit flavor, you can mix some crushed cranberries into the batter, almost like tiny jewels. If you’re looking for other ways to mix fruit into things, you might enjoy my post on a quick fruit cocktail recipe!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Eggnog French Toast

Look, I know this Eggnog French Toast is best fresh off the skillet, piping hot and covered in sugar. But sometimes you make too much, right? I try not to freeze it, because the texture just never seems to bounce back quite right after thawing.

If you have leftovers, let them cool completely first—this is important! Then, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. When you’re ready to eat them again, the best way to reheat is in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Give each side just two or three minutes until it’s warm through. It brings back just enough of that nice golden crust!

Serving Suggestions for Eggnog French Toast

So, you’ve made the absolute pinnacle of holiday breakfasts! Now, what do you put next to that plate of magnificent Eggnog French Toast? You need some balance, trust me. I always serve mine with a side of crispy, salty bacon or maybe a couple of savory breakfast sausages to cut through all that sweetness.

If you prefer to keep it sweet, top the whole gorgeous stack with fresh raspberries or sliced bananas! And don’t forget that extra final dusting of nutmeg right over the powdered sugar—it seals the deal. If you ever make homemade croutons, you know that extra little sprinkle makes all the difference, and this is the same principle! You can check out how I make mine for salads here, homemade croutons!

Frequently Asked Questions About Eggnog French Toast

It’s natural to have questions when diving into a new holiday recipe, especially one as fun as this Eggnog French Toast! I’ve tried to answer the ones I get asked the most about the batter and the best way to serve this sweet treat.

Can I use regular store-bought eggnog in this Eggnog French Toast?

Yes, absolutely! You don’t need to make your own gourmet beverage for this. Any standard, good-quality store-bought eggnog works perfectly fine because the vanilla and nutmeg we add to the batter help round out the flavor profile during cooking. Just make sure it’s cold when you mix it!

What is the best bread to use for this Eggnog French Toast?

Hands down, you want something sturdy and thick, like challah or even a really good brioche loaf if you can find one. The best rule of thumb is to use bread that’s a bit stale, maybe from yesterday. Those drier slices absorb all that rich eggnog batter without completely dissolving on the first dip!

Can I make this Eggnog French Toast recipe ahead of time?

You can certainly mix up the eggnog batter ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge for a day. That’s a lifesaver! But for the actual French toast, I really push people to cook it fresh right before serving. The bread absorbs the custard too quickly once soaked, and you lose that beautiful texture if you try to store the soaked slices overnight.

Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Eggnog French Toast

Now, I’m going to be totally honest here: this is holiday food, so it’s a treat, not an everyday breakfast! This snapshot is an estimate based on using the ingredients listed, serving two slices per person. It’s good to know what you are working with when you indulge!

For one serving of two slices, you’re looking at roughly 350 calories. You get about 18 grams of fat, 38 grams of carbohydrates, and a nice little protein boost of 12 grams. Enjoy it! You’ve earned it this season!

Share Your Incredible Eggnog French Toast Experience

I just love hearing from you guys when you try my holiday recipes! Did this Eggnog French Toast become your new favorite Christmas morning tradition? Please take a moment to rate the recipe right down below—it truly helps other cooks decide if they should try it next!

And seriously, if you made this, snap a picture! Tag me on social media so I can see those beautiful golden stacks covered in powdered sugar. If you have any questions or suggestions for tweaks, pop over to my contact page!

Eggnog French Toast

Author: cocktailmixguide.com
Total Time: 20 min
Yield: 3 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A holiday breakfast featuring French toast made with eggnog.

Ingredients

Scale

6 slices thick bread
2 large eggs
1 cup eggnog
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon butter for cooking
Powdered sugar for dusting
Maple syrup for serving

Instructions

Whisk together eggs, eggnog, vanilla extract, and nutmeg in a shallow dish.
Dip each slice of bread into the eggnog mixture, coating both sides. Let the bread soak for about 30 seconds per side.
Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Place soaked bread slices in the hot skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove French toast from the skillet.
Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately with maple syrup.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best results as it absorbs the liquid better.
If you prefer a richer flavor, use a thicker cut of bread like challah or brioche.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Category: Breakfast
Method: Pan Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 slices
Calories: 350
Sugar: 25
Sodium: 300
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 8
Unsaturated Fat: 10
Trans Fat: 0.5
Carbohydrates: 38
Fiber: 1
Protein: 12
Cholesterol: 150

Keywords: eggnog, french toast, holiday breakfast, sweet bread, nutmeg