Chewy French Toast Cookies Recipe
These Chewy French Toast Cookies are a magical twist on a classic breakfast favorite, transforming the warm, cozy flavors of French toast into a soft, bakery-style cookie that’s impossible to resist. With notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, and a kiss of maple, every bite is pure comfort. The chewy texture paired with a cinnamon-sugar topping feels nostalgic yet new, making these cookies the perfect treat for anyone who loves a little breakfast-meets-dessert fun. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or looking to brighten a lazy Sunday, these cookies deserve a spot in your rotation!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of my favorite things about these Chewy French Toast Cookies is how unfussy the ingredients are. Each element brings something special to the table—richness from the butter, warmth from the spices, and, if you want to get a little fancy, sweet bites of white chocolate. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The foundation of that irresistibly chewy texture—make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
- Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds deep caramel notes and a moist crumb.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Sweetens things up and helps the edges crisp just a little.
- Large eggs (2): The binding heroes that keep your cookie dough together.
- Maple syrup (1 tablespoon): Infuses warm maple flavor that echoes classic French toast.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Rounds out the flavors and gives the cookies a bakery aroma.
- All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups): The structure—don’t overmix for the perfect chewy bite.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Ensures these beauties rise gently in the oven.
- Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Adds cozy, classic spice that’s simply essential to the French toast vibe.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweet and brings out those warm flavors.
- Nutmeg (¼ teaspoon): Just a touch for an old-fashioned, homey depth.
- White chocolate chips (½ cup, optional): For creamy, melty pockets throughout (highly recommended!).
- Cinnamon-sugar mixture (2 tablespoons sugar + ½ teaspoon cinnamon): Roll each dough ball for that signature French toast sparkle and crunch.
How to Make Chewy French Toast Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Kitchen
First things first—get that oven preheated to 350°F, and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lining the pans not only helps with easy cleanup but also prevents your cookies from spreading too much or sticking.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine your softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer (or lots of elbow grease!), cream them together until the mixture looks fluffy and pale—this step is key for a tender and chewy cookie.
Step 3: Beat in Wet Ingredients
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Pour in the maple syrup and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until everything is beautifully blended. These liquids add moisture and that classic French toast flavor to the dough.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Pre-whisking guarantees even distribution of the leavening and spices through every cookie.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring just until no streaks of flour remain. If you want bonus pockets of creamy sweetness, fold in the white chocolate chips now.
Step 6: Shape and Coat
Scoop your dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture coating it well—this little ritual gives the Chewy French Toast Cookies an addictive, lightly crunchy edge.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Space the cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers are still a tiny bit soft. Let the cookies cool on the pan for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack—they’ll firm up as they cool, but stay delightfully chewy inside.
How to Serve Chewy French Toast Cookies
Garnishes
For the finishing touch, a light dusting of extra cinnamon-sugar after baking makes these cookies truly sparkle. If you’re feeling decadent, drizzle a quick maple glaze over the top for extra café vibes—just mix powdered sugar with a splash of maple syrup until pourable.
Side Dishes
While Chewy French Toast Cookies are perfect solo, they’re ridiculously good alongside a mug of hot coffee, a frothy cappuccino, or even a tall glass of cold milk. Pairing with a bowl of fresh berries or fruit salad makes them brunch-worthy in a snap.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange the cookies in a rustic basket lined with a linen napkin for a cozy, homemade feel. Turn them into cookie sandwiches with a schmear of cream cheese frosting, or stack a few, tie with twine, and gift to a lucky friend—they’re a lovely surprise in any cookie tin!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Chewy French Toast Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Thanks to the blend of brown sugar and maple, they’ll stay moist and chewy throughout the week—if they last that long!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully. Once cooled, stack them between layers of parchment or wax paper in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep well for up to three months. Alternatively, freeze the raw dough balls after rolling them in cinnamon-sugar, then bake straight from the freezer for fresh, warm cookies anytime.
Reheating
A quick 10-second zap in the microwave revives all that soft, chewy magic if your cookies start to feel a little firm. For that “just baked” aroma, a few minutes in a 300°F oven does the trick, bringing out all those cozy maple-cinnamon notes.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Absolutely! If you only have salted butter on hand, just reduce the added salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon. Your Chewy French Toast Cookies will still taste amazing, with just the right balance of sweet and salty.
What if I don’t have maple syrup?
While maple syrup really brings the “French toast” flavor, you can substitute honey or agave for a similar moist texture, or even use a bit of maple extract (start with ½ teaspoon) for a stronger maple taste.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite one-to-one gluten-free blend. The texture may vary slightly, but the cookies will still have their signature chew and cinnamon-sugar flair.
Can I skip the white chocolate chips?
Definitely. The white chocolate is completely optional—these Chewy French Toast Cookies shine on their own, but little bursts of creamy sweetness are a fun upgrade if you want to mix things up.
Why are my cookies spreading too much or too little?
If your cookies spread too much, it could be that your butter was too soft or melted, or your dough was too warm. Not spreading at all? Double check that your measurements are correct, especially the flour. If needed, chill the dough for 15–20 minutes before baking for cookie perfection.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to taste these Chewy French Toast Cookies—they’re the kind of treat that brightens any day and brings people together. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just love cozy flavors, give these cookies a try and watch them become a new favorite in your kitchen!
Print
Chewy French Toast Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of French toast flavors in cookie form with these chewy and aromatic French Toast Cookies. These soft and buttery cookies are infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of maple syrup, making them a perfect sweet treat for any time of day.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup white chocolate chips (optional)
Cinnamon-Sugar Topping:
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Add eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then fold in white chocolate chips if desired.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop dough into balls, roll in cinnamon-sugar topping, and place on baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes until set. Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- For extra maple flavor, consider drizzling with a maple glaze or adding maple extract.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They maintain their soft and chewy texture well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
