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Pumpkin French Toast with Crunchy Cinnamon Crust
Yep, it’s almost fall… so the fall recipe experimenting begins! It’s a bit too early though… I went to 4 markets before I could actually find a can of pure pumpkin puree. Apparently, it’s a “seasonal” item. But since I’m one of those people who will drive to the end of the earth to find what I need for a recipe, I endured the lengthy search. I’ll do anything for a recipe that I’m determined to make, and I’ll do anything for my boy… who has been craving pumpkin… and French Toast. I put together a little fall breakfast for my #1 Taste Tester: Pumpkin French Toast with Crunchy Cinnamon Crust.
It was a rather simple breakfast feast to put together, actually. A loaf of French bread had been sitting on the counter for a couple of days (the best kind for real French toast), and it was just waiting for me to think of a way to use it up. I cut it into 3/4-inch to 1-inch slices and began with the regular French toast stuff… eggs, milk and cinnamon, but with added whipping cream, nutmeg, a splash of sugar and pumpkin, of course. And I wrestled the box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal out of my 8 year old’s hands and covered egg-dipped toast in a crushed cinnamony crumbs.
A quick searing on both sides, keeping the skillet covered while cooking, and it turned out golden brown & ready for syrup.
There’s the distinct flavor of pumpkin in this French toast, and the bread absorbs all of the wonderful spices. The cinnamony crust is optional, but I thought it added a unique twist to the recipe. The bread stays soft and pillowy inside, and then a crusty layer forms on the outside. My little guy gushed about the Pumpkin French Toast so much that I had to make a slice for myself too. I’m never a very good critic about my own cooking… always thinking things could be a little better or aren’t quite right, but I have to say that I thought this was really, really excellent. It was an unexpected recipe success, and I had to stop myself from eating a second piece. And then I went to the gym, so I can justify making this again tomorrow 
This recipe can be found here: Pumpkin French Toast
I'm Lori Lange, recipe developer, food writer and Mom. I'm sharing over 2,600 of my favorite recipes with you.
Barista — September 12, 2009 @ 2:11 AM
I can’t wait to try this. I love all things pumpkin and it looks soooo good!
Yay fall!
Michelle — September 12, 2009 @ 2:58 AM
You’re making me hungry! This looks and sounds perfect for this Fall-like weather. Love the addition of the cereal for a little crunch too. Pretty creative!
HoneyB — September 12, 2009 @ 4:00 AM
AWESOME Lori! I’m bookmarking AND sharing on my FB Fan page this morning. I will definitely be making this! YUMMY!
Phoo-D — September 12, 2009 @ 4:07 AM
It is a misty morning here and pumpkin french toast sounds amazing. I love that you used Cinnamon Toast Crunch for the outside! What a fun breakfast.
katiek22 — September 12, 2009 @ 4:54 AM
Yum! I love pumpkin flavors which is why i dont mind the fast approaching fall. I read somewhere that the pumpkin season was bad awhile ago which is why finding cans of pure pumpkin might be difficult early in the season. I think the cinnamon toast crunch is a good addition as well!
Bellini Valli — September 12, 2009 @ 5:10 AM
Once the nights start to turn cooler and the days shorter we really do go into cocooning mode and this is the perfect homey dish.
Barbara — September 12, 2009 @ 5:16 AM
This looks perfect for fall. I would try it today if I had pumpkin in the pantry!
Sara — September 12, 2009 @ 5:40 AM
Wow, this looks wonderful. I’ve already eaten breakfast for today…but maybe I could make this for lunch.
I can’t wait to try it.
Judy — September 12, 2009 @ 5:46 AM
What a great idea! I love pumpkin anything and French Toast. I still have some pumpkin in the freezer that I roasted and pureed last year that will be perfect for this!
Katie — September 12, 2009 @ 5:51 AM
Love pumpkin for breakfast! I made pumpkin pie oatmeal the other day and it was so good. I’ll have to try t his one too, and the idea of the crushed cereal is too cool.
kat — September 12, 2009 @ 5:55 AM
Oh how tasty! Can’t believe it was so hard to find pumpkin puree
Susan at Sticky,Gooey,Creamy,Chewy — September 12, 2009 @ 6:03 AM
This looks divine, Lori! French Toast is one of my all time favorite breakfast dishes. The pumpkin sounds like a great addition and the crunchy cereal crust is brilliant!
Fuji Mama — September 12, 2009 @ 6:09 AM
Oh yum! I love anything pumpkin, and this looks divine. I did a pumpkin week on La Fuji Mama last year…now you’ve got me thinking about doing a 2nd one!
Leslie Green — September 12, 2009 @ 6:14 AM
Oh sooo yummy. I love love love pumpkin.
I can believe your stores dont carry the Libbys brand all year long.
CookiePie — September 12, 2009 @ 6:16 AM
That looks fantastic!!!
Tiffany — September 12, 2009 @ 6:18 AM
I think my kids will love this. Yum!
BethieofVA — September 12, 2009 @ 6:25 AM
LOVE pumpkin. I think I might need to try this. YUMMY!!!!
Jamie — September 12, 2009 @ 6:27 AM
I love pumpkin. I am so excited for Fall food. Last year I picked up extra cans of pumpkin so I could enjoy pumpkin creations through the end of winter.
Stef — September 12, 2009 @ 6:42 AM
Yum! French Toast + Pumpkin what could be bad?
Amanda — September 12, 2009 @ 6:51 AM
Wow, this looks incredible! I am a pumpkin fanatic and I haven’t eaten breakfast yet. I need to wipe the drool off my chin now.
southern hostess — September 12, 2009 @ 10:19 AM
This sounds like heaven. I love all things pumpkin.
pigpigscorner — September 12, 2009 @ 11:40 AM
This looks and sounds amazing! Love the pumpkin and the crunch!
Gera @ SweetsFoods — September 12, 2009 @ 4:38 PM
Adore it!! A French flavor to enjoy this weekend
Cheers!
Gera
Joan Nova — September 12, 2009 @ 5:52 PM
I love pumpkin and will definitely be trying this one. Thanks.
Sues — September 12, 2009 @ 8:19 PM
This looks like heaven!! I will be making it ASAP!! Perfect for brunch on a nice, cool morning!
grace — September 13, 2009 @ 4:16 AM
best use for cinnamon toast crunch EVER.
VeggieGirl — September 13, 2009 @ 4:22 AM
That is THE best looking fall breakfast EVER.
Kerstin — September 13, 2009 @ 9:51 AM
LOVE this. what a perfect breakfast! I’m planning on looking for pumpkin at the store today and hope I can find it – they didn’t have it at Trader Joe’s yesterday, where I usually get it…
Hallie — September 13, 2009 @ 2:30 PM
Wow what an awesome recipe! It’s a great concept, really. I can see making a banana version instead, or peanut butter or something. And I think when (not if, haha) I make this I’ll use my Cinnamon Puffins since I don’t have Cinnamon Toast Crunch around. But I wanted to say, I’m surprised too you don’t have the Libby’s stuff at your local Vons. I have it at mine (well, in Clairemont) year round and sometimes at Trader Joe’s. It’s only on sale during the holidays though…this year I’m stocking up!
Katie — September 13, 2009 @ 3:56 PM
This recipe looks delicious. I also needed pumpkin puree last week and had to get a raincheck! I am glad I am not the only one in the mood for pumpkin recipes!
shelley — September 13, 2009 @ 4:47 PM
I love your site! Everything looks amazing!
I am wanting the French Toast Now!
You do beautiful photography also.
Thanks for sharing
Shelley
patsyk — September 13, 2009 @ 4:58 PM
My oldest would love this recipe! We always have Cinnamon Toast Crunch in our cabinet, and I love the idea of adding it to French Toast!
Lynn — September 13, 2009 @ 4:59 PM
Oh, wow, what a perfect breakfast to celebrate the beginning of pumpkin season. Bring it on! I bought a 3 pack of pumpkin puree at Costco and can’t wait to get going on the pumpkin baking.
Jenny — September 13, 2009 @ 5:10 PM
Looks so beautiful Lori!! I really want to make this one soon. Don’t you just love fall baking?!!
Jamie — September 13, 2009 @ 6:30 PM
I came to your site to get the recipe for that incredible caramel tofee ice cream sandwich dessert. I saw the words pumpkin and french toast together and had to stay for more. What a great combo. So happy fall baking is here.
ingrid — September 13, 2009 @ 6:35 PM
MMMMmmm, that sounds really good.
~ingrid
Alisa -Frugal Foodie — September 13, 2009 @ 7:31 PM
Oh yum! You are incredible! Definitely worth the miles.
Jen @ MaplenCornbrea — September 14, 2009 @ 2:56 AM
I know what I want for breakfast!!!!!!! I LOVE pumpkin anything and everything! mmmmm!!!
Tracy @ Sugarcrafter — September 14, 2009 @ 6:11 AM
Oh, this looks amazing!! I love pumpkin ANYTHING, so I will definitely have to give this a try!
Sara @ Our Best Bites — September 14, 2009 @ 6:51 AM
Yum! I was waiting for this one. It looks fantastic, and I’m so glad you used Cinnamon Toast Crunch in it because that is a staple at our house!
Brittany (He Cooks She Cooks) — September 14, 2009 @ 8:40 AM
This is why I love fall! Pumpkin everything!
misty — September 14, 2009 @ 3:41 PM
i can’t get the recipe page to load…
Colleen — September 15, 2009 @ 8:22 AM
This looks AMAZING! Perfect for fall.
maris — September 16, 2009 @ 4:51 PM
This looks SO GOOD! I love pumpkin ANYTHING especially in the Fall. This year I had pumpkin ravioli and I just made pumpkin butter but the Fall is only just beginning
Terri Archibald — September 22, 2009 @ 2:38 PM
I too am a pumpkin fanatic! You mentioned your dilmemna in trying to find pumpkin…after the umpteenth trip to try and find some last night I happened upon a note on the shelf at one of the stores. It explained that there was a shortage of canned pumpkin and that it would be replenished until the current crop is processed – mid-October! In the meantime I’m still “looking” for pumpkin with hopes of stumbling upon it. I don’t know if I can wait another 3 weeks!!!
jennywenny — September 24, 2009 @ 11:04 AM
Ha! Thankfully henry’s had some so I managed to get some for my cupcakes this weekend. Have fun at blogher this weekend!
Katie @ Oh Shine On — September 15, 2012 @ 7:46 AM
Ob-freaking-sessed.