I’ve got a sweet little secret to share with you—this French Toast Cookies Recipe is seriously one of my all-time favorites. Imagine the cozy, cinnamon-spiced warmth of French toast packed into a soft, chewy cookie that’s downright irresistible. You’ll find yourself coming back for more, whether it’s for breakfast, a snack, or just because. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through everything so your cookies turn out perfect every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of what you need in your pantry.
- Perfect Texture: Chewy with just the right amount of crisp edges—exactly what I look for in a cookie.
- Maple Syrup Twist: That subtle maple sweetness takes these cookies to a whole new level.
- Quick and Easy: Ready from start to finish in under 20 minutes, ideal for a last-minute treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this French Toast Cookies Recipe plays a special role—from the richness of melted butter to the cozy cinnamon sugar coating. When shopping, look for real maple syrup and fresh spices to get the fullest flavor.
- Butter: Melted and cooled butter keeps the cookies tender and adds that buttery goodness we all crave.
- Brown Sugar: Gives the cookies warmth and depth with a hint of molasses flavor.
- Egg: For structure and a touch of richness.
- Maple Syrup: The secret star that infuses the dough with sweet, toasty notes.
- Flour: All-purpose works perfectly here, providing the right crumb.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough without making them cakey.
- Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal): Balances sweetness and enhances the flavors beautifully.
- Sugar and Cinnamon: Combined separately to roll the cookie dough in a classic snickerdoodle-style coating.
Variations
I love that this French Toast Cookies Recipe is a fantastic canvas for creativity. Don’t hesitate to tweak things based on what you have or what your taste buds crave—personalizing it makes it all the more enjoyable.
- Vegan Variation: I swapped out butter for coconut oil and used a flax egg once, and while the texture shifted slightly, the flavor stayed amazing.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ground cardamom to the cinnamon sugar mix for a cozy holiday twist—my family loved the extra warmth!
- Gluten-Free Version: Using a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend worked great, just watch the dough consistency—it might need a smidge more syrup or butter.
How to Make French Toast Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 375°F and line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze and keeps your cookies from sticking. Having everything ready before you start mixing helps keep the process smooth, especially since these cookies come together fast.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, stir together the melted, cooled butter and brown sugar until smooth. Then add in the egg and maple syrup, mixing well to combine. I like to give it a few good stirs with a wooden spoon here—makes sure everything’s fully blended. If the butter’s too warm, the eggs can scramble, so cooling it down first is key.
Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Next, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt in a separate bowl, then fold this into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be gentle here—overmixing can result in tougher cookies, and nobody wants that. The dough will be soft but manageable.
Step 4: Roll in Cinnamon Sugar
In a smaller bowl, mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon. Then, scoop about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Coat each ball thoroughly in the cinnamon sugar mixture—you want them nicely covered because that crust is everything. Place them a couple of inches apart on your baking sheets to give them room to spread.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake for roughly 8 minutes—or until the edges are faintly golden. I’ve learned that ovens can vary, so keep a close eye starting at 7 minutes to avoid overbaking. Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. That step keeps them chewy and soft inside.
Pro Tips for Making French Toast Cookies Recipe
- Butter Temperature: Always let melted butter cool before mixing; hot butter can cook the egg and ruin the texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Mixing until just combined keeps the cookies tender and prevents them from turning dense.
- Even Cookie Sizes: Use a tablespoon or a cookie scoop to ensure they bake evenly every time.
- Timing Matters: Pull them from the oven when edges are golden but centers still look soft—they’ll firm up nicely as they cool.
How to Serve French Toast Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love dusting these cookies lightly with powdered sugar just before serving—it adds that little something extra that really pops visually and enhances the sweetness. Sometimes, I drizzle a little extra maple syrup on top for guests who want that syrup-drenched French toast vibe.
Side Dishes
Pair these French Toast Cookies with a cup of strong coffee or a glass of cold milk for the ultimate comfort combo. For a brunch spread, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit like berries or sliced apples—they bring a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try arranging the cookies on a platter lined with a soft kitchen towel and have small bowls of extra maple syrup or whipped cream nearby for dipping. I once made cookie sandwiches using cream cheese frosting between two cookies—it was a hit at a holiday party and felt a little fancy while still being simple.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I like to keep leftover French Toast Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep that soft, chewy texture, avoid the fridge—it tends to dry them out faster.
Freezing
Freeze your cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, just bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the bake time. I’ve found this super helpful for prepping batches ahead for holiday baking or quick treats.
Reheating
When you want to enjoy leftover cookies, reheat them for 5-7 minutes in a 325°F oven—it brings back that fresh-baked warmth and soft texture. Microwave reheating can make them chewy in a not-so-good way, so I avoid that if I want the best experience.
FAQs
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Can I substitute the maple syrup in this recipe?
Absolutely! While maple syrup adds a unique flavor that complements the “French toast” theme, you can substitute it with honey or light corn syrup. Just keep in mind that the flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still taste delicious.
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How do I know when the cookies are done?
Look for cookies with slightly golden edges but centers that are still soft to the touch—this means they’ll set as they cool, giving you that chewy texture. Overbaking can lead to crispier, less tender cookies.
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Can I make these cookies vegan?
You can! Replace butter with a plant-based alternative like coconut oil and swap the egg for a flax or chia egg (1 tablespoon ground flax/chia mixed with 3 tablespoons water). The texture might vary a little, but it’s still a tasty option.
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What’s the best way to store these cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to keep them soft. Avoid refrigerating, as it may dry them out more quickly. For longer storage, freezing works great either as baked cookies or unbaked dough.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how these French Toast Cookies turn out every time. They’re a little nostalgic, a little unexpected, and totally comforting—a perfect blend that always brings smiles around my kitchen table. If you’re craving something warm, sweet, and easy, give this recipe a try. I promise you’ll be hooked, just like I was the first time I baked them. Happy baking, friend!
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 combine the comforting flavors of cinnamon, maple syrup, and buttery sweetness into a soft, chewy cookie reminiscent of classic French toast. Perfect for a cozy breakfast treat or a delightful snack, these cookies offer a unique twist on the traditional snickerdoodle with a hint of maple that elevates the flavor profile.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
Topping
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375° F (190° C) and line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Mix Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted and cooled butter with the brown sugar, stirring until smooth and well incorporated.
- Add Eggs and Maple Syrup: Beat in the egg and maple syrup until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and kosher salt.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cookies.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon to create the rolling sugar coating.
- Shape Cookies: Use about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough to form balls. Roll each ball thoroughly in the cinnamon sugar mixture ensuring an even coating.
- Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a couple of inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 8 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden and the centers look set but still soft.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes; this helps them firm up. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- The addition of maple syrup adds a delightful depth of flavor, taking these snickerdoodle-inspired cookies to the next level.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender and soft.
- For a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can increase the cinnamon in the sugar coating slightly.
- Ensure butter is cooled but still liquid to properly combine with sugar without scrambling the egg.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and softness.
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