Name: Eggnog French Toast with Sugared Cranberries
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 slices challah bread or brioche; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups eggnog; 1 tsp cinnamon; 1/8 tsp nutmeg; Unsalted butter for pan; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup water; 1 cup fresh cranberries; 1/2 cup maple syrup; 2 Tbsp eggnog

This breakfast is sure to get you in the holiday spirit... Easy-to-make Eggnog French Toast is topped with eggnog syrup and sugared cranberries. It's a holiday brunch best enjoyed with your loved ones in your pajamas.

Head-on view of a plate of eggnog french toast topped with sugared cranberries with cup of cranberries, eggnog, and coffee in the background and recipe title at top

I really, really wish this holiday season would last a little bit longer. If only for the fact that I haven’t drunk nearly enough eggnog. And really, this is the only time of year where it’s at all appropriate to be drinking eggnog (some eggnog haters would even say there’s no time of year).

Imagine if you walked in on me drinking a large glass of eggnog in the middle of June? You’d think I was a crazy person! Not to mention, I’d have to make it myself because I highly doubt my grocery store would take my special off-season request.

Because there are only a few days until Christmas (!!), I’m getting in my eggnog any way possible. I came reallyyy close to putting it in my cereal in place of milk the other day.

I resisted. But in french toast? Perfectly reasonable and acceptable.

I say it every year, but even if you don’t like actual eggnog, you probably enjoy the flavor (just not the consistency). This french toast has all the holiday flavor… Plus sugared cranberries for extra appeal.

👩‍🍳 How to make eggnog french toast

There’s nothing too complicated about whipping up this eggnog french toast. If you have a nice big skillet or griddle, it’s also the perfect breakfast to serve to company. It really is a regular french toast batter with eggnog and some spices mixed in. Super easy!

I like to use either challah or brioche bread for my french toast as I think it results in the fluffiest, tastiest french toast. But feel free to use any kind of bread you want.

You'll need to soak it in a mixture of eggnog, eggs, cinnamon, and nutmeg. That's it!

After coating the bread with the eggnog mixture, cook it on a butter brushed griddle until golden. Easy peasy.

Collage showing batter being whisked, bread being soaked, and bread being fried on griddle.

🥣 How to make sugared cranberries

Sugared cranberries are also easy and a serious holiday essential in my house. They do take a little bit of time, so you may want to make them the night before you're serving the eggnog french toast.

To make, you'll coat the cranberries in a sugar water mixture and then let them rest for about an hour. They'll be nice and sticky and ready to be rolled in granulated sugar.

They'll need to dry for another 30 minutes after that.

🥛 How to make eggnog syrup

Oh, and I couldn’t serve the french toast with regular maple syrup, so I made a quick and easy eggnog syrup instead.

You can skip this if you want, but it's pretty darn yummy and really just involves combining maple syrup and eggnog in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Let simmer for about 2-3 minutes before removing to a heat-proof bowl or mason jar.

Eggnog and maple syrup simmering in saucepan.

You can serve the eggnog syrup either warm or cold.

Serve the eggnog french toast with a healthy dose of syrup and top with sugared cranberries.

You may not be in the holiday spirit just yet (I don’t blame you… this warm weather is not conducive to holly jolly fun).

Overhead closeup view of eggnog french toast topped with sugared cranberries on white plate.

But this french toast will certainly help get you there. Which is why I recommend making it, like, NOW. It would certainly be an ideal Christmas brunch, but I really think you need that holiday boost well before then.

I wish sugared cranberries were a year-round thing, too. Though I have to admit that I’ve been seriously stockpiling cranberries this year… My freezer is filled with them because I can’t survive without them until next holiday season.

Though I doubt I'll be sugaring them in the middle of the summer. But maybe...

On that note, I guess frozen eggnog probably isn’t the best idea. But would there be any harm in trying??

Head-on view of a stack of eggnog french toast topped with sugared cranberries with jar of cranberries, glass of eggnog, and mug of coffee in background.

Yes, what you see in these pictures is, in fact, my idea of a dream breakfast. A full stack of french toast with an extra-large glass of eggnog and mug of coffee. With the lights from the Christmas tree in the background. So cozy and perfect.

Also, I’d most definitely be wearing pajamas. Who wants to eat a plate full of eggnog french toast in their tight skinny jeans and sweater? Not me.

Head-on view of a plate of eggnog french toast topped with sugared cranberries with cup of cranberries, eggnog, and coffee in the background.

But, I mean, if that was my only option, it would be OK. I guess that’s why leggings as pants were invented (and yes, I do believe in leggings as pants, within reason).

Happy holidays and merry almost Christmas! I hope you’re having a spectacular week.

What are you having for Christmas morning breakfast?

🎄 More eggnog recipes

If you're looking for more ways to enjoy the holiday season's best beverage, try these recipes:

📖 Recipe