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.
46 Comments
I can’t wait to try this. I love all things pumpkin and it looks soooo good!
Yay fall!
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!
AWESOME Lori! I’m bookmarking AND sharing on my FB Fan page this morning. I will definitely be making this! YUMMY!
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.
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!
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.
This looks perfect for fall. I would try it today if I had pumpkin in the pantry!
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.
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!
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.
Oh how tasty! Can’t believe it was so hard to find pumpkin puree
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!
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!
Oh sooo yummy. I love love love pumpkin.
I can believe your stores dont carry the Libbys brand all year long.
That looks fantastic!!!
I think my kids will love this. Yum!
LOVE pumpkin. I think I might need to try this. YUMMY!!!!
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.
Yum! French Toast + Pumpkin what could be bad?
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.
This sounds like heaven. I love all things pumpkin.
This looks and sounds amazing! Love the pumpkin and the crunch!
Adore it!! A French flavor to enjoy this weekend
Cheers!
Gera
I love pumpkin and will definitely be trying this one. Thanks.
This looks like heaven!! I will be making it ASAP!! Perfect for brunch on a nice, cool morning!
best use for cinnamon toast crunch EVER.
That is THE best looking fall breakfast EVER.
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…
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!
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!
I love your site! Everything looks amazing!
I am wanting the French Toast Now!
You do beautiful photography also.
Thanks for sharing
Shelley
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!
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.
Looks so beautiful Lori!! I really want to make this one soon. Don’t you just love fall baking?!!
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.
MMMMmmm, that sounds really good.
~ingrid
Oh yum! You are incredible! Definitely worth the miles.
I know what I want for breakfast!!!!!!! I LOVE pumpkin anything and everything! mmmmm!!!
Oh, this looks amazing!! I love pumpkin ANYTHING, so I will definitely have to give this a try!
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!
This is why I love fall! Pumpkin everything!
i can’t get the recipe page to load…
This looks AMAZING! Perfect for fall.
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
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!!!
Ha! Thankfully henry’s had some so I managed to get some for my cupcakes this weekend. Have fun at blogher this weekend!