Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins (Brioche Muffin Cups)

If you love classic French toast but want something easier, neater, and more brunch-worthy, these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins (Brioche Muffin Cups) are going to become your new obsession.

Imagine everything you crave about French toast—soft custardy centers, warm vanilla-cinnamon flavor, buttery richness, and that slightly crisp golden top—but baked into perfectly portioned muffin cups. No flipping. No standing at the stove. No messy plates covered in syrup and egg batter (unless you want them to be 😉).

These Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins (Brioche Muffin Cups) are made with fluffy brioche bread cubes soaked in a sweet cinnamon-vanilla custard, then baked until beautifully puffed and golden. The finishing touch? A buttery cinnamon-sugar topping that melts and bakes into a crunchy, caramel-like crust.

They’re ideal for:

• weekend breakfast treats

• holiday brunch boards

• baby showers & special mornings

• meal prep breakfasts you can reheat all week

And the best part? They look fancy… but they’re unbelievably easy.

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Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins (Brioche Muffin Cups)

Let’s be real—baked French toast is already wonderful. But when you bake French toast in muffin form, it becomes next-level convenient and adorable.

Here’s why these muffin cups are totally worth making:

✅ 1) French toast flavor, no pan flipping

Instead of cooking slice by slice, you pour everything into muffin cups and bake at once. Easy and effortless.

✅ 2) Perfect texture contrast

The inside stays soft and custardy while the outside develops a golden, crisp cinnamon-sugar crust.

✅ 3) Brioche makes them rich and bakery-style

Brioche has buttery richness and a fluffy structure that absorbs custard beautifully without turning mushy.

✅ 4) Great for feeding a crowd

They bake in batches of 12, making them perfect for family breakfasts or brunch parties.

✅ 5) Make-ahead + freezer friendly

Bake once, reheat quickly, and enjoy all week long (or stash a batch in the freezer for later).

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What Are French Toast Muffin Cups?

Think of them as a cross between:

• baked French toast casserole

• bread pudding

• cinnamon sugar donut muffins

But unlike a casserole, these are grab-and-go and portion-controlled.

Each muffin cup contains soaked brioche bread, which bakes into a custardy brioche muffin cup with that signature French toast flavor. Then the cinnamon sugar topping creates a crunchy finish that makes them taste like a bakery pastry.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Muffins

• 1 loaf brioche bread (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes

• 6 large eggs, room temperature

• 2 cups whole milk, room temperature

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

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Best Bread for Brioche Muffin Cups

Brioche is the #1 best choice for this recipe because it’s:

• buttery

• soft but sturdy

• slightly sweet (perfect for French toast flavor)

• absorbs custard without falling apart

Can I use another bread?

Yes! These substitutions work well:

• Challah (very similar to brioche)

• French bread (firmer, slightly less rich)

• Texas toast (soft and thick)

• croissants (ultra rich, but more delicate)

Pro tip: avoid thin sandwich bread—it tends to get soggy and collapse.

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Step-by-Step Instructions (With Pro Tips)

1) Preheat and prep the muffin pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 12-cup muffin tin generously with butter or nonstick spray.

Tip: Don’t skip the greasing! The cinnamon sugar can caramelize and stick.

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2) Prep the brioche bread cubes

Cut the brioche into 1-inch cubes.

If it’s fresh, dry it slightly:

• spread cubes on a baking sheet

• bake 5–7 minutes until slightly dry

Why? Slightly stale bread absorbs custard better and gives the perfect texture.

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3) Make the custard

In a large bowl, whisk together:

• eggs

• milk

• sugar

• vanilla

• cinnamon

• nutmeg

• salt

Whisk until smooth and slightly frothy.

Tip: Room-temp ingredients help the custard mix evenly and absorb into the bread better.

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4) Soak the bread

Add bread cubes to the custard. Fold gently until coated.

Let sit 15 minutes, pressing down occasionally so everything soaks evenly.

This soaking time is what gives these muffins that dreamy custardy center.

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5) Add butter + fill muffin tin

Drizzle 4 tbsp melted butter over soaked bread mixture and fold gently.

Divide evenly into muffin cups. Press down lightly.

Important: Don’t pack it hard. You want airflow so the tops get golden.

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6) Add cinnamon sugar topping

Mix 1/2 cup sugar + 2 tsp cinnamon in a small bowl.

Brush muffin tops with 3 tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar.

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7) Bake

Bake 22–25 minutes, until:

• tops are golden

• centers are set

• toothpick comes out mostly clean (a little moisture is okay)

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8) Cool and serve

Cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

They may deflate slightly after cooling—this is normal and means they’re custardy inside (perfect!).

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Cinnamon Sugar Topping: The Secret Weapon

This topping doesn’t just add sweetness—it gives texture.

When butter + cinnamon sugar bake together, it creates:

• crisp edges

• slightly caramelized crunchy tops

• donut-like flavor

If you want extra crunch, sprinkle a tiny bit more cinnamon sugar right after baking while the muffins are still hot.

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Simple Tips for Success (Read This!)

To make your Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins (Brioche Muffin Cups) perfect every single time:

⭐ Use slightly stale brioche

Fresh bread = too soft
Slightly dried bread = perfect absorption

⭐ Don’t overbake

Overbaked French toast muffins become dry, not custardy.

⭐ Grease the pan well

Especially around the edges—cinnamon sugar loves to stick.

⭐ Want ultra richness?

Replace ½ cup milk with heavy cream for a custard that tastes like a fancy café pastry.

⭐ For extra flavor

Add 1 tablespoon maple syrup to the custard or a pinch of cardamom.

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Delicious Variations

These muffins are super customizable. Once you make them once, you’ll want to try all the options.

1) Cream Cheese Filled French Toast Muffins

Drop a small cube or spoonful of cream cheese into the center before baking.

2) Apple Cinnamon Brioche Muffin Cups

Add finely diced apples + extra cinnamon.

3) Berry Brioche Muffin Cups

Fold in blueberries or raspberries gently (don’t overmix).

4) Maple Pecan Crunch

Top with chopped pecans + drizzle maple syrup after baking.

5) Chocolate Chip French Toast Muffins

Add mini chocolate chips for a dessert-like version.

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Serving Suggestions

These are amazing on their own, but even better served like a brunch spread.

Try serving with:

• maple syrup drizzle

• powdered sugar

• whipped cream

• fresh berries

• fruit salad

• crispy bacon or breakfast sausage

• hot coffee or chai latte

For holidays, add them to a brunch tray with mini quiches, scrambled eggs, and fresh juice.

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Make Ahead Instructions

Yes—you can absolutely make them ahead, and they reheat beautifully.

Option 1: Prep the night before

• Assemble everything in muffin tin

• Cover and refrigerate overnight

• Bake fresh in the morning

If baking chilled, add 3–5 minutes baking time.

Option 2: Bake ahead and store

Bake fully, cool, then store in an airtight container.

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Storage & Reheating

Fridge

Store in airtight container up to 4 days.

Freezer

Freeze up to 2 months.

Freeze tip:

• cool completely

• wrap individually

• store in freezer bag

Reheating Options

Microwave: 20–30 seconds
Oven (best): 300°F (150°C) for 8–10 minutes
Air fryer: 320°F for 3–4 minutes

Oven or air fryer = crispiest cinnamon sugar tops.

Print

Nutrition (Estimated)

Per 1 muffin (1/12 of recipe):

• Calories: ~250–290 kcal

• Carbohydrates: ~34g

• Protein: ~9g

• Fat: ~10–12g

• Saturated Fat: ~6g

• Sugar: ~17g

(Values will vary depending on your bread brand and exact portions.)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a mini muffin tin?

Yes! Reduce bake time to about 12–15 minutes.

Are these the same as bread pudding?

Very similar texture, but these are more “French toast” flavored and lighter—especially with brioche.

Can I make them dairy-free?

Yes:

• use oat milk or almond milk

• use melted coconut oil or vegan butter

Can I reduce sugar?

Absolutely. Reduce custard sugar to 2 tbsp and reduce topping slightly.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a cozy breakfast that feels bakery-level but is incredibly easy, these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins (Brioche Muffin Cups) are the recipe you need in your life.

They’re warm, sweet, soft in the middle, crisp on top, and full of that classic French toast flavor we all love—but in the most convenient form possible. I love that you can bake a full batch at once, serve them beautifully for brunch, and still have leftovers for quick weekday breakfasts.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch, preparing a meal prep breakfast, or just want something special on a slow weekend morning, these Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Muffins (Brioche Muffin Cups) deliver every time.