If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s got all the cozy vibes of breakfast but in a sweet little bite, you’re absolutely in for a treat with this French Toast Cookies Recipe. I stumbled upon this gem when I wanted to bring those warm, cinnamon-dusted morning flavors into my snack game—and trust me, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic. Soft, chewy, and bursting with maple and cinnamon goodness, it’s a cookie that somehow tastes like your favorite brunch all rolled into one.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Breakfast-Inspired Flavor: These cookies capture the sweet, comforting taste of classic French toast in every bite.
- Quick and Easy: You’ll have these cookies ready in under 20 minutes, no fancy skills needed.
- Perfect Texture: Soft edges with a slight chew and a hint of cinnamon sugar crunch on top.
- Maple Syrup Magic: The maple syrup adds that extra depth making them truly unforgettable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients here come together in a way that’s simple but magical. I love that the melted butter and brown sugar blend create a rich base, while the cinnamon sugar coating adds that nostalgic, snickerdoodle-like twist. You’ll want good-quality maple syrup—it really makes a difference!
- Butter: I like to use unsalted butter, melted and cooled, for a smooth dough texture.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel notes—don’t swap for white sugar here.
- Egg: Helps hold the cookies together and adds richness.
- Maple syrup: Real maple syrup is worth it—it gives that authentic French toast vibe.
- Flour: All-purpose flour works perfectly to keep these soft and tender.
- Baking soda: Just enough leavening to give a nice rise without being cakey.
- Kosher salt: I use Diamond Crystal for its flaky texture and balanced saltiness.
- Sugar: Used with cinnamon for rolling, creating the classic crackly top.
- Cinnamon: The star spice here—warm and fragrant.
Variations
I love experimenting with this French Toast Cookies Recipe depending on the season or who I’m baking for. Feel free to tweak it to match your taste—and trust me, these little cookies will still blow you away!
- Vanilla Extract: Adding a teaspoon of vanilla can deepen the flavor, which I tried and adored because it rounded out the maple sweetness beautifully.
- Nut Add-ins: Chopped pecans or walnuts are a personal favorite for a little crunch and nuttiness.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend to make these friendly for gluten-sensitive friends—just watch the baking time as it can vary.
- Spicy Twist: A pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger amps up the warmth if you love a more spiced cookie.
How to Make French Toast Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper—it makes cleanup a breeze and prevents sticking, which is a must for these buttery cookies.
Step 2: Mix the Butter and Sugar
Combine the melted, cooled butter with the brown sugar in a big bowl. Stir until the mixture looks smooth and a bit glossy. I learned early on that letting the butter cool a bit is key; too hot and it’ll scramble the egg when you add it.
Step 3: Add Egg and Maple Syrup
Crack in the egg and pour the maple syrup. Mix gently until everything’s just incorporated—you want a uniform batter, but overmixing can make the cookies tough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt. This helps distribute the leavening and salt evenly. Then slowly fold this mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined—stop mixing as soon as you see no more flour.
Step 5: Roll in Cinnamon Sugar and Bake
Mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Scoop out dough balls about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons each, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until totally coated, and place them spaced a couple inches apart on your parchment-lined sheets. Bake for about 8 minutes, or until the edges turn just slightly golden—that’s when you know they’re perfectly baked.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
After baking, let the cookies sit on the pan for about 5 minutes. They’ll be soft and delicate while warm, so transferring them gently to a wire rack is best for cooling completely. This little rest helps them set without losing their soft texture.
Pro Tips for Making French Toast Cookies Recipe
- Let Butter Cool: Melting butter is essential, but I always wait about 5 minutes before mixing so the egg doesn’t cook and the dough stays smooth.
- Don’t Overmix: Mixing the dough just until combined keeps the cookies tender; overworking it can make them dense.
- Perfect Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Rolling the dough balls generously ensures that sweet, crunchy topping that’s signature to these cookies.
- Watch the Bake Time: These cookies bake fast—taking them out at the first sign of golden edges keeps them soft and chewy, not dry.
How to Serve French Toast Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple: a light dusting of powdered sugar or a quick drizzle of warm maple syrup just before serving lifts the flavors beautifully. Sometimes fresh berries or a few dollops of whipped cream turn these cookies into a mini dessert feast that feels special.
Side Dishes
If I’m serving these for brunch or as a snack, I love pairing them with a cup of hot coffee or a chai latte—the spices in the drink and cookies compliment each other perfectly. Fresh fruit salad or yogurt on the side balances the sweetness nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For a brunch party, I’ve arranged these French Toast Cookies Recipe treats stacked on a tiered dessert stand with little bowls of maple syrup and cinnamon whipped cream on the side. It’s simple but feels fancy. You could also plate them next to mini pancakes and bacon for the ultimate breakfast board!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft for 3-4 days, but they’re usually gone way before then in my house! If you want to keep them fresh, adding a slice of bread to the container helps maintain softness.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully. I usually wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When I want a treat, I thaw a few at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Reheating
Reheating is a breeze—pop a cookie or two in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to revive that fresh-from-the-oven softness and subtle chew.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of sugar instead of brown sugar in this recipe?
Brown sugar adds a deep, molasses-like flavor and moisture that white sugar can’t replicate exactly in this recipe. You can try substituting with white sugar, but expect slightly less chewy, less flavorful cookies. For best results, stick with the brown sugar as indicated.
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What if I don’t have maple syrup? Can I substitute something else?
Maple syrup lends this recipe its signature French toast taste. If you don’t have any on hand, you might try honey or agave syrup, but the flavor will shift slightly. I recommend trying real maple for the authentic touch when you get a chance!
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How can I keep my French Toast Cookies soft?
Don’t overbake them! Take the cookies out as soon as the edges show a hint of golden brown, and let them cool on the pan a bit before moving them. Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to help maintain softness too.
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Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free cup-for-cup blend. Just keep an eye on baking time as gluten-free flours behave a bit differently; you may need to adjust by a minute or two.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this French Toast Cookies Recipe brings that cozy, familiar comfort of breakfast into a delicious little cookie that my whole family—and friends—go crazy for. The mix of warm cinnamon, sweet maple, and buttery goodness is downright addictive. If you’re looking to impress with an easy, quick cookie that has a fun backstory and incredible flavor, this recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Give it a whirl, and let me know how much your crew raves about them—because trust me, they’ll want these cookies often!
PrintFrench Toast Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These French Toast Cookies are a delightful twist on classic snickerdoodles, infused with the rich flavors of maple syrup and cinnamon sugar. Soft and chewy with a hint of buttery sweetness, they make a perfect treat for breakfast-inspired snacking or any time you crave something comforting and delicious.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 1/2 sticks butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375° F and line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Mix Butter and Brown Sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted and cooled butter with brown sugar, stirring well until the mixture is smooth and integrated.
- Add Egg and Maple Syrup: Crack in the egg and pour in the maple syrup, then stir until all ingredients are fully combined, creating a smooth batter.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined to form cookie dough without overworking it.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: In a separate small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon thoroughly to create the coating for the cookie dough balls.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop out dough in portions approximately 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons each and roll them into balls using your hands.
- Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: Roll each dough ball evenly in the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring they are fully coated for that signature sweet and spiced crust.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a couple of inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes or until the cookies have a slight golden brown color, indicating they are done.
- Cool on Pan and Wire Rack: Let the cookies cool on the baking pan for about 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely avoiding sogginess.
Notes
- The addition of maple syrup elevates the classic snickerdoodle flavor to a new level of deliciousness.
- Ensure the butter is melted and cooled before mixing to avoid cooking the egg prematurely.
- Spacing cookies properly is important as they will spread out while baking.
- For crispier cookies, bake a minute or two longer, but watch closely to prevent burning.
- These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 93 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 209 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg