Holiday breakfasts hit differently. Maybe it’s the vacation-mode pace. Maybe it’s the fact that pajamas suddenly count as an all-day outfit. Or maybe it’s the unspoken agreement that cookies before noon aren't only allowed but encouraged. Whatever the reason, December has a way of making mornings feel a little more whimsical.
Take French toast. It’s already a breakfast and brunch classic, of course. But eggnog season has some home cooks feeling extra inspired. Instead of confining nog to cocktail hour, people are now using the booze-free base to make French toast too. A quick scroll through social media explains why: Store-bought eggnog contains everything you need to soak your slices, including eggs, dairy and warming spices. It's basically a ready-made custard mix; just add bread.
Related: We Tried 13 Different Brands of Eggnog and You Can Buy the Winner at Walmart
With the holidays in full swing—and before eggnog disappears from shelves for another year—I had to see if the French toast hype was justified. Clicking around a bit brought me to a recipe that bumps up the eggnog base and includes a citrusy whipped-cream topping, which sounded perfect for the season.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about eggnog French toast, plus my honest take after trying out a recipe myself. If you’re looking to round out your holiday breakfast or brunch rotation without overcomplicating your mornings, this eggnog hack might just be the move.
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First, let’s talk about eggnog as a drink. Creamy and indulgent (thanks to the milk and eggs mentioned above), it’s commonly flavored with sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Many fans love eggnog in cocktail form with a splash of rum, bourbon or brandy, especially during the winter holidays.
Almost everything found in an eggnog base is the same stuff used in a classic French toast batter—and in close-enough proportions. (Granted, French toast batter generally isn't sweetened, but because French toast is often topped with sweet add-ons, like maple syrup or powdered sugar, theoretically you're getting a similar result.) So rather than buying and measuring out individual French toast ingredients, some home cooks have begun using eggnog as a convenient—and some say cost-effective—alternative.
That being said, eggnog French toast isn’t a one-size-fits-all dish. Some recipes call for nog and nothing more, while others incorporate extra eggs for added structure. Some recipes rely solely on the drink’s spices, while others amp up the cinnamon or nutmeg. Bread matters too: Thicker, richer breads create a more custardy interior, while sturdier slices hold their shape for more bite. And yes, true to their cocktail lineage, a few eggnog French toast recipes include a splash of rum.
Related: The Secret Ingredient for Rich, Tender French Toast, According to Legendary Chef Jacques Pépin
Ingredients Needed for Eggnog French Toast
Courtesy Kellye Fox
As mentioned, there are tons of eggnog French Toast recipes floating around online. I chose one from TikTok creator Laissa (@foodby.laii) that includes an orange whipped cream topping. Below is a basic rundown of the ingredients you’ll need.
For the French toast:
Eggnog2 eggsHeavy creamGround cinnamonGround nutmegVanilla extract1 loaf of brioche or challah bread, sliced into 1- to 2-inch thick slicesUnsalted butter for griddleFor the whipped cream:
Heavy whipping creamZest of 1 medium orange Vanilla extractPowdered sugar @foodby.laiiEggnog french toasts are the breakfast of my dreams ? Edit: Recipe below ? Ingredients French toast 2 eggs 1 cup eggnog ½ cup heavy whipping cream 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread, sliced in 1-2 inches 2 tbsp unsalted butter Orange zest cream 1 cup heavy whipping cream Zest of 1 orange (optional) ½ tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp icing sugar Optional Berries: chopped strawberries, blueberries, black berries Maple syrup In a medium shallow bowl crack eggs. Then add eggnog. heavy whipping cream, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined. Lightly grease a pan at low - medium heat or griddle at 300 C with butter. Dip bread in custard (egg mixtures ) on each side to soak. Place on griddle or pan. Cook for 5 - 8 minutes each side until golden brown. Remove from heat to a plate. In a medium bowl combine heavy whipping cream, orange zest and vanilla extract. Whisk until stiff peaks. Fold in icing sugar. Add a dollop of cream to french toast and garnish with berries, powder sugar and maple syup. Enjoy! #foodbylaii #eggnog #frenchtoast #christmas #holiday #recipe
♬ original sound - JoshuaHow To Make Eggnog French Toast
This recipe calls for brioche or challah bread, both of which are slightly sweet. For a more pointed comparison, I decided to test out brioche and Texas toast, a thick-cut white bread that's less rich.
To start, make your whipped topping: In a medium bowl, whisk or beat heavy cream, orange zest and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Fold in the powdered sugar. Set aside.
Next, make your batter: In a medium bowl, whisk eggnog, eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla until well combined.
CKellye Fox
Melt butter in a skillet or on a griddle over medium-low heat. Dip each slice of bread in the eggnog batter to coat thoroughly. Allow excess batter to drip off.
Courtesy Kellye Fox
Place each coated slice on the griddle and cook until golden brown on the bottom, 5 to 8 minutes.
Courtesy Kellye Fox
Repeat on the opposite side.
Courtesy Kellye Fox
Transfer the cooked French toast slices to a platter.
Courtesy Kellye Fox
Then it's time to plate. Top individual servings of French toast with whipped cream and any extras that suit your fancy: holiday sprinkles, fresh berries, maple syrup and/or powdered sugar. (It's the holidays, not a time for restraint!)
Related: 25 Make-Ahead Christmas Breakfasts to Gift to Future You
My Honest Thoughts About Eggnog French Toast
Courtesy Kellye Fox
This recipe was tasty but didn’t quite align with my expectations. While the slices were fluffy and rich, the eggnog spices and sweetness didn't come through in the way I'd hoped. I think the heavy cream mellowed the batter a little too much. Next time, I'll probably omit the cream and just go with eggnog and eggs instead. I might also boost the ground spices.
TBH, the orange whipped cream was a little bland, too. I ended up doctoring it with extra vanilla and orange zest and adding some granulated sugar. After those tweaks, it tasted great on my toast, especially in combination with fresh mixed berries.
In spite of all that, my husband and I devoured the batch. Both kinds of bread I tried—brioche and Texas toast—worked well in their own ways. Brioche (on the blue plate above) was softer and tasted more dessert-like because of the bread's natural sweetness.
My preference probably leans a little more toward Texas toast (red plate). These thicker slices cooked a bit more evenly, stayed fluffy in the middle and had a firmer bite.
Honestly, though, you can’t go wrong with either bread.
What I liked most about this recipe was how easy it felt. This is the kind of breakfast you can prep on a cold morning while half-awake and still feel like you did something special. And it’s flexible enough to dress up or modify.
Related: I Tried Fried Cinnamon French Toast and I'm Never Going Back to Basic Stacks
4 Tips for Making Eggnog French Toast
Courtesy Kellye Fox
I found this French toast recipe pretty easy and forgiving. Still, after trying it myself, I think a few small details could make a big difference. Here are some takeaways to keep in mind:
It may take some time for you to find an eggnog French toast variation that you love. I recommend starting with a simple combo of 2 eggs and 1 1/2 cups of eggnog as the base of your batter to help ensure the eggnog flavor comes through.
2. Dry out your bread a bit
Super fresh, soft bread can quickly turn mushy in the eggnog soak. Nobody wants that. If possible, opt for day-old or slightly stale bread when making French toast. My bread was fresh, so I let it sit out for about 30 minutes to dry out, which I think helped.
One of the most common mistakes when making French toast is soaking the bread in the custard for too long. Remember: A quick dip is all you need! Otherwise, you might end up with bread pudding for brunch instead.
4. Keep the heat in check
Eggnog contains sugar, which means it browns (and burns) more easily than traditional French toast batter, which is often sugar-free. To prevent burning, keep the heat at medium-low and be patient. Perfectly cooked, golden slices are worth the wait.
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