In case you missed it yesterday, I shared a few pictures from Waverley’s birthday celebrations. (Yes, plural!) On the morning of her birthday we had a few pals over for a low-key birthday brunch with pumpkin everything. I was trying to keep things really easy on myself so I made this baked pumpkin french toast. It was perfect! I threw it together quickly the night before and then just popped it in the oven the morning of. I kept thinking of things I could/should do to make it more exciting– candied pecans! whipped cream! caramelized bananas!– yet opted not to because sometimes I have to remind myself that extra easy is totally okay. But, then I did make cream cheese syrup on a whim the morning of. I just couldn’t help myself! I promise it is still really simple yet hearty and delicious. It’s really lovely for company, too, so I hope you’ll give it a try if you need to feed a crowd.
- 1 loaf cinnamon raisin bread, cut into 1-1½" pieces
- Butter for greasing pan
- 12 ounces pumpkin puree
- 6 eggs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 8 ounces maple syrup
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- Grease a 9" x 13" baking dish with butter. Spread the pieces of bread evenly over the dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk eggs, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree together until combined. Then whisk in milk.
- In a separate bowl, combine sugar and spices. Stir with a fork until sifted together.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the pumpkin and egg mixture and whisk until well combined.
- Pour the mixture evenly over the bread. Ensure all of the bread is completely coated. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove aluminum foil and bake for approximately 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
- Meanwhile, prepare cream cheese syrup. Individually warm syrup and cream cheese. Whisk cream cheese until soft and smooth. Slowly blend in syrup until well combined.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
