Baked French Toast Cups (Printable)
Golden brioche cups soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla custard, baked until fluffy and topped with berries and maple.
# Ingredient List:
→ Bread Base
01 - 6 cups (about 1-inch cubes) day-old brioche or challah bread, cubed
→ Custard Mixture
02 - 4 large eggs
03 - 1 cup whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
05 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Toppings (optional)
09 - 1/2 cup fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries)
10 - Maple syrup, for serving
11 - Powdered sugar, for dusting
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin thoroughly with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Distribute the cubed bread evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until fully blended.
04 - Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes in each muffin cup, pressing gently to help the bread absorb the liquid.
05 - Allow the muffin tin to rest for 10 minutes to ensure complete absorption of the custard.
06 - Distribute fresh berries over each cup if desired.
07 - Transfer the tin to the middle rack and bake for 25 minutes or until the tops are golden and centers are set.
08 - Let cool for 5 minutes before gently lifting each French toast cup from the muffin tin.
09 - Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup as preferred.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This clever twist on French toast turns leftovers into individual treats with irresistible crispy edges.
- I keep making these because they make people smile—no slicing, no fighting over the corner piece.
02 -
- If you rush the soaking step, the centers turn out disappointingly dry—patience pays off here.
- I once tried using soft, fresh bread and ended up with mush, so always opt for sturdy day-old slices.
03 -
- Always check the bottom of each cup—sometimes they bake quicker than the tops in some ovens.
- A sprinkle of raw sugar right before baking gives extra sparkle and crunch people always notice.