Description
Pumpkin Cream Cheese French Toast Sticks are a delicious and festive breakfast treat, perfect for fall. They are made with thick-cut bread stuffed with a creamy pumpkin cream cheese filling, dipped in a spiced batter, and cooked until golden brown.
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick-cut brioche or Texas toast
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tbsp packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Optional Toppings: Maple syrup, Whipped cream, Powdered sugar, Chopped pecans, Extra pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add the pumpkin puree, vanilla, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix until creamy and well combined.
- Prepare the Bread: Cut each slice of bread into 3 sticks. Carefully make a small slit along the center of each bread stick without cutting all the way through. Pipe or spoon a small amount of pumpkin cream cheese filling into the center. Gently press the bread closed around the filling.
- Make the Batter: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Dip each stuffed bread stick quickly into the batter, coating all sides without soaking the bread.
- Cook the French Toast Sticks: Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the French toast sticks in the skillet, leaving space between them. Cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, turning until golden brown and crisp on all sides. Continue cooking in batches if necessary.
- Coat in Cinnamon Sugar: Combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a shallow bowl. While the French toast sticks are still warm, roll them gently in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Serve: Serve warm with maple syrup for dipping. Add whipped cream, powdered sugar, chopped pecans, or an extra sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice for a delicious finishing touch.
Notes
- Use thick bread: Slightly stale brioche or Texas toast works especially well because it holds the filling without becoming soggy.
- Don’t overfill the bread sticks, or the cream cheese may leak while cooking.
- Keep the skillet at medium heat so the outside becomes golden without burning before the center warms.
- For an extra crispy version, cook the finished sticks in an air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes.
- You can prepare the stuffed sticks ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to cook.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 sticks
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 100mg