Do you know how long it took me to like French Toast? A loooong time. I was used to eating my eggy, fried slice of bread, the Macedonian way – savory, with lots of crumbled white cheese on top. That is how my Mom served it, and that is how I preferred it.
And then I was given a recipe to try this breakfast favorite baked instead of fried, sweet instead of savory. A little apprehensive because I still couldn’t wrap my head around having it sweet and without cheese, but I am willing to try anything once, and once was not enough.
Now, whenever I have stale bread (and I do make sure to have stale bread for the weekend because if it’s not this, it’s the Macedonian version of this) I soak it in a delicious maple-y, cinnamon-y (not real words?) egg mixture, I then bake it, and serve it with some fresh fruit.
This really is a special treat for a Sunday morning when everyone is at home. For tastier results, you can even allow the bread to soak in the mixture over night.
(homemade bread – 4 days old)
Maple-Cinnamon Baked French Toast
(adapted from the person that gave this recipe to my Dad to give to me – thanks!)
You will need:
- 1 package (8 ounces) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup pancake/maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 loaf of stale bread, sliced (about 6 slices)
- powdered sugar
- maple syrup for serving (optional)
Directions:
- Cream the cream cheese in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer; about 8 minutes.
- Add in the eggs, milk, syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon ; mix well for another 10 minutes.
- Dip the bread slices in the egg mixture and place them in a large baking dish; pour the remaining egg mixture on top of the bread and refrigerate for at least 1 hour; the longer they sit, the better.
- Heat oven at 425.
- Place the bread slices on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown, turning once half way through.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Top with maple syrup (optional).
- *If you have vanilla sugar, add it to your powdered sugar and then sprinkle on top of the toast…it’s that much better!
This look amazing ! Just want to know after uput the slces on the baking sheet , what did u do with the rest of the mix ?
Hi! I just pour it out.
Kate, I never thought to bake French Toast….. I am going to have to try this! I like you had a hard time converting to “syrup” because my mom used to give us Ajvar and Feta Cheese as toppings! BTW nice job on the Blog!!
Hi Bets!! I still go for the ajvar and sirenje … love that stuff!
Mmm I love french toast but I’ve never thought to bake it! I’m definitely trying this recipe this weekend, thanks so much for sharing!
That has to be some of the most amazing photography I’ve seen (especially the top pic). Wow, you made me want that French toast very badly. The recipe looks fantastic too, but the picture just draws you in.
This looks uh-mazing!! I can’t wait to try it! Do you think you could use a light cream cheese to reduce the calories a bit?
Absolutely! I use Neufchatel Cheese at times instead of cream cheese… it works just as well.
Congratulations on Top 9. Well deserved!
This recipe looks AMAZING. We often eat the sweet version of french toast, but it is often fried and (if my partner’s Mum makes it … quiet oily). I think this ‘baked’ recipe looks wonderful and something which will definitely appear on my weekend breakfast rotation!
Shari from http://www.goodfoodweek.blogspot.com
omg this sounds amazing! Can’t wait to give it a try!
KATE!!!! First of all, congrats on the top 9! You are a rock star and deserve it! Secondly, HOLY CRAP YUM! This look fabulous. I love baked French toast and was avoiding it because of the wedding. Well now, I can eat it all I want!
I know what you mean about French toast… there’s something cloying about the texture that gets me. I love your baked solution!
Great recipe and a beautiful presentation. Thanks!
I used to eat the savory egg toasts too, growing up
But now I also do like French toast, yours look so gorgeous! Congrats on top 9!
I like them both now, too…but it took me a while to warm up to the French kind.
Congrats on Top 9. Great recipe too, just saw you at Priscilla’s, yeah. Hope you are having a great week.
-Gina-
There you are on Top 9 again ..,Congrats. Beautiful job
What a cool way to make french toast! The cream cheese addition is just greatttt… I want to make it now! Congrats on top 9
Kate, congrats on being #1 on the Top 9 and April’s Top Mom at She’s Cookin’ all in the same day! You’re doing something right
I just saw that!! Thank you, Priscilla – I’m so happy and honored!
kate this looks heavenly! love your continued success on the top 9
French Toast is one of my favorite breakfasts, and it’s funny, because I’ve never tried it baked before! Definitely need to try this recipe out this weekend! =)
hi Kate
that sounds like a much healthier way to enjoy french toast! thanks for sharing it with us.
Congrats on your top 9 today, your images are gorgeous!
Dennis
I love french toast and this looks ABSOLUTELY delicious! I have never tried baking it, but I assure you…I will now!
Congrats on Top 9! This looks like a real winner for sure. 
-Gillian
“GillyCakes”
Yummy it looks really good! I love both sweet and savory French toast
Hubby on the other hand loves only sweet!
BTW congrats on the top 9
Congrats on top 9!!!^_^
Have never had French Toast prepared this way, but I love that it is baked and the addition of cream cheese
But, being more of a savory lover, I’m intrigued by the Macedonian version with cheese you mentioned.
You have me more than curious about the Macedonian version. This looks delicious but I would love to see that!
I really love your new look. I also love your recipe for French toast. I’ve not had good luck making it before and I’m looking for another recipe. Yours arrived just in time. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Wow, Kate. Sorry haven’t dropped by for a few days. Bit swamped just now! I LOVE your new look. Very stylish, congrats for all your work on it. Brilliant.
And as for your baked French toast – lovely touch with cheese. Isn’t it funny how you get used to things?! Gorgeous pics, as ever. J xxoo
I have made Baked French toast before, but never this version, I’ll have to try it soon. Love the strawberries, too.
What an clever recipe! A great advantage to it would be that you could serve several people at once, instead of making each person wait for their french toast to cook in a skillet. It looks delicious, too.
This looks great! I hate soggy, super eggy French toast, which is why I almost never order it in a restaurant. I love your version and the idea of incorporating the cream cheese!
I always love the smell of freshly baked french toast
your version looks so simple and perfect. I want some now 
I still haven’t really tried to make french toast. Your healthy version I like a lot.
WOW!! This is so stunning!! My son loves french toasts and now I can bake him your lovely toastes literally every day!!! Thanks for sharing that great recipe, Kate!! Oh, and I do love your new site design
)
Oh my, Kate! This looks so good! I’ve never been a fan of french toast… I’m not sure why. Actually, I’d probably prefer it the way your mom makes it just because I think I’m more partial to savory things for breakfast. But, you did a great job with this and your family’s so lucky that you’re such an awesome cook/baker
This way of making French toast is new to me too, I’ve made it in the oven before but usually with the pieces of bread together in a casserole with the custard so that it all bakes up together.
Kate, if you like sweet French toast you’ll have to try creme brûlée French toast. I’m actually posting the recipe tomorrow ( if the scheduled post feature works on my blog). I made it this weekend for for brunch for my grandsons birthday.
Kate: I luv French toast. I like everything about breakfast food and treats that use syrup. This looks like a great recipe and luv that it gets baked in the oven.
brilliant idea – i love it!
Oh, Kate, you gave a new meaning to French Toast – it’s healthier.
Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing.
Love the new look of your blog
you switched the layout again.
I’m playing with it
Not sure what I want yet… 
Holy cow… How have I never seen a recipe for this before?!? I mean I’ve made french toast of course, but never baked, and never dipped in cream cheese!!!! Girl… I so have to try this asap!!!
What an awesome recipe! It’s like dessert french toast! <3 The only french toast recipe I have is my tofu french toast — so this will be another fun variation to try!
My whole family loves French Toast and your pictures are so nice. Great recipe Kate.
What a great alternative to frying! I’m sure the cream cheese gives it a lovely flavor and richness…
this looks delicious haven’t added cream cheese before must be yummy
Sounds great! I make an awesome Creme Brulee French Toast with Drunken Strawberries that is BAKED too! LOVE IT. Recent post on my blog.
I am about to go and see that! Sounds so good!
i love french toast but i always deep fried those .. and these days i am avoiding deep fried .. i LOVE your version .. will it this way next time
What a delightful variation of French toast…I know I’d love it!
Incredibly luscious and tempting French toast in a rich flavor and baked to perfection!!You have such a fine looking breakfast platter….
This sounds amazing! I love that you have included cream cheese in the egg mixture for extra richness! It is nice that this is baked so you don’t have to stand at the stove
! Yummy!
I haven’t met a piece of French toast I didn’t love and these baked ones look fantastic. I’m curious now about the Macedonian version!
MMM! Kate! My kids would love this one… we are on Spring Break and have extra time in the mornings this week, I just might have to whip some of this up for them. Nicely done!
Oh wow this looks amazing! I love French toast and this looks delicious. Your photos are beautiful too!
I know where are you coming from..it was for me the same I just had it mostly with sour cream and that is how my kids preferred it now too..but once I tried sweet version I fell in love right away…you did incredible job because you bake them..much heather version and I will try it soon!
Thanks for sharing..fantastic photos!!!
This looks great! It would be perfect for fixing for a brunch.
Beautiful photo and recipe for baked French toast! I’d love to see you post the recipe for the savory Macedonian version sometime too! Pretty please?!?
Deal! I’d love to do that … thank you!
I so Love baked french toast! My fav is bananas foster french toast! Yum! Kate love the cream cheese addition! Gotta try it!
Yeah, the cream cheese works well with the maple syrup. Give it a go and let me know if you liked it!
Oh WOW.. This sounds absolutely incredible (of course everything you make does
) My kiddos LOVE french toast. We will have to give this a try next weekend….oh what the heck tomorrow. 
This sounds soooo good! I have to try
. Cream cheese in french toast batter must be delicious!
.
I’ve always loved french toast; I’m a sweet breakfast person. And maple syrup is included in all my favorite options
I tried twice to comment it kept saying my time rquest was too long? Anyway my son makes this every weekend add raisins, cinnamon and apples its yummy! Your came out perffect!
It was giving me that same message on others’ blogs… I hope it’s just an issue with IE.
Thanks for the tip…raisins and apples would be a great addition!
Oooh this looks so good! Gotta love the Sunday breakfasts
OMG! I have always loved french toast These look incredibly good! I can’t wait to try this recipe.