PUMPKIN SPICED FRENCH TOAST

As soon as the leaves start changing color, it's time to break out the pumpkin spice! This beloved blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves brings warmth and comfort to classic fall treats. Take your morning French toast from basic to seasonal sensation with a batch of easy pumpkin spiced French toast. With a few simple ingredients, you can start your day with a cozy, autumn-inspired breakfast treat.

Pick Your Bread

French toast is all about taking a humble slice of bread to new heights. For best results, look for a bread with a soft inner crumb and slightly crusty exterior that can soak up the custardy batter. Some great options include:

• Challah
• Brioche
• Sourdough
• Italian bread
• French bread
• Rustic wheat bread

Brioche and challah offer an indulgent richness perfect for French toast. But any bread with a tender crumb will work beautifully. Get creative with flavors!

Stale Bread is Ideal

Day old bread is actually preferred for the best texture. The stale slices will soak up more batter and custardy goodness.

Whip Up the Custard

The custardy batter used to coat the bread is key for flavor and texture. Whisk together eggs, milk or cream, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg until smooth and uniform.

For pumpkin spiced French toast, add in pumpkin pie spice blend or a dash of cloves, ginger and allspice to complement the cinnamon and nutmeg.

You want a thin batter than easily coats the bread slices. Add a touch more milk if needed to reach the right dippable consistency.

Consider Coconut Milk

For a dairy-free twist, substitute canned coconut milk for regular milk or cream. It lends delicious flavor!

Time to Toast

Once your spiced custard is ready, dip your sliced bread until totally coated on both sides. Let excess batter drip off before placing in a hot buttered skillet or griddle.

Cook a few minutes per side until golden brown. The bread should soak up the custard and become soft, fluffy and saturated with flavor.

Cooking in butter will amplify the richness. Take your time to achieve an even golden crust.

Mix in Pureed Pumpkin

To truly pumpkin spice up your French toast, incorporate pumpkin puree right into the batter. The pumpkin will add moisture, fiber and even more cozy fall flavor.

Mix a few tablespoons of canned pumpkin into the wet batter ingredients before dipping the bread. This adds autumnal sweetness without excess sugar.

You can also spread a thin layer of pumpkin butter or pumpkin cream cheese on the slices before dipping in batter. Yum!

Sweeten Smartly

To keep your pumpkin spiced French toast from becoming too much of a sugar bomb, look to natural sweeteners like:

• Maple syrup
• Honey
• Monk fruit
• Erythritol

Maple syrup is a classic French toast topping that pairs perfectly with fall spices. Or try a drizzle of honey for floral sweetness. Sprinkle on monk fruit or erythritol while cooking for sweetness without the blood sugar spike.

Skip the Powdered Sugar

Avoid dusting your French toast with powdered sugar, which is fine white sugar ground to a powder. Opt for maple syrup or fruit instead.

Embellish with Fall Flavors

The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing pumpkin spiced French toast to your taste. Play around with tasty seasonal add-ins like:

• Pecans
• Walnuts
• Pumpkin seeds
• Dried cranberries
• Chopped apples
• Pomegranate arils

Chopped nuts add crunch while dried or fresh fruit lend sweetness. Pumpkin seeds offer texture and nutritious flavor. Drizzle with maple syrup or pumpkin butter.

Whipped Ricotta for Creamy Decadence

Take your pumpkin spice French toast over the top with a dollop of creamy whipped ricotta. Simply whip ricotta cheese with a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla until light and fluffy.

Spoon or pipe atop your French toast stacks for a decadent finish. The creaminess pairs perfectly with the fall spice flavors.

Conclusion

Pumpkin spiced French toast is the ultimate fall breakfast treat. Withwarm cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves, this seasonal twist on a breakfast classic evokes cozy autumn vibes with every bite. Don't just save pumpkin spice for lattes – let it shine all morning long with fluffy, custard-soaked bread kissed with maple syrup and seasonal fruit. Wake up your tastebuds with this comforting, satisfying start to the day.

FAQs

1. What milk is best for pumpkin spiced French toast?

Whole milk or heavy cream work great. For dairy-free, use canned coconut milk.

2. Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree?

Avoid pie filling, which has lots of added sugar. Use 100% canned pumpkin for flavor without excess sweetness.

3. Is day old bread best?

Yes, stale or day old bread absorbs more custard for superior texture and taste.

4. What's the perfect bread to custard ratio?

Aim for approximately 1 cup custard per 3-4 slices of bread, adjusting based on bread size and preference.

5. Besides maple, what's a good topping?

Whipped Greek yogurt, hazelnut spread, fresh fruit, pumpkin butter, pecans and whipped cream are all delicious options.