French toast, also commonly known as pain perdu {French for, “lost bread”}, is traditionally made with stale bread and is a way to reclaim and use old, lost bread. In the United States it is typically breakfast fare but in other places around the world it is also common as a dessert.
In this comforting and rich version of French toast made with a pumpkin quick bread, the soothing and intoxicating pumpkin mixes with sweet maple syrup, crunchy pecans and homemade whipped cream to make a decadent breakfast that could easily pass for dessert. For best results, slice the pumpkin bread thinly and let the slices sit out overnight.
{PS-I can’t wait to try this style of French toast with banana bread!} 
Pumpkin Bread French Toast
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This decadent French toast is made with pumpkin quick bread, creating a comforting breakfast that feels like dessert, topped with maple syrup, pecans, and whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (118mL) vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups (287g) sugar
- 1/3 cup (78mL) water
- 1 cup (180g) pumpkin purée
- 2 eggs
- 1 3/4 cups (174g) flour
- 1 tsp (4g) baking soda
- 1/2 tsp (1g) nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp (1g) cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp (1g) salt
- 4 slices pumpkin bread
- 2 eggs (for French toast)
- 1/2 cup (120mL) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Butter for cooking
- Maple syrup, for serving
- Pecans, for garnish
- Whipped cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease a loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, mix together 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/3 cup water, 1 cup pumpkin purée, and 2 eggs until well combined.
- Add 1 3/4 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 1 hour, or until the top springs back to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the pumpkin bread cool completely. For best results, slice the bread thinly and let the slices sit out overnight.
- To make the French toast, whisk together 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a shallow dish.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of butter.
- Dip each slice of pumpkin bread into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for a few seconds on each side.
- Place the soaked bread slices in the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve the French toast warm, topped with maple syrup, pecans, and whipped cream.
Notes
- For best results, slice the pumpkin bread thinly and let the slices sit out overnight.
- Try using banana bread for a different flavor variation.
- Serve with additional toppings like fresh fruit or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 75
If You Liked This Recipe, You’ll Love These
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- Kalács – Traditional Hungarian Sweet Braided Bread
- Cinnamon Bun Bread Pudding
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the recipe recommend slicing the bread thinly and letting it sit overnight?
The article explains that French toast — traditionally called pain perdu or “lost bread” — was invented as a way to use stale bread. Slightly dried-out slices absorb the egg-and-milk custard more evenly and hold together better in the pan, whereas fresh, moist bread can go soggy and fall apart.
This recipe asks me to bake a full loaf first — can I use store-bought pumpkin bread instead?
You can substitute store-bought pumpkin bread and skip the baking step entirely. Just follow the tip of slicing it thinly and letting the slices dry out briefly before dipping them in the custard of 2 eggs, ½ cup (120 ml) milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.
What toppings does the recipe suggest for serving?
The recipe calls for maple syrup, pecans, and whipped cream as toppings. The notes also suggest fresh fruit or a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor.
