Thanks for joining Sarah and me for Meatless Monday today. So… I managed to put off making anything pumpkin until mid October but just couldn’t resist sharing this warm, delicious recipe with you. I first saw this Cinnamon Raisin Pumpkin Challah French Toast here and although it looks amazing, it was way too decadent for me. I love to make over recipes and “healthy” them up a bit and that’s what I’ve done today.
I completely cut out all of the sugar as I don’t think it needs it at all. I subbed the whole milk and cream for good old skim milk. I also think almond milk would be fabulous. I added extra cinnamon and some almond extract and voila!
Challah is one of those breads that I can never resist. It’s just that good. Growing up we used to make French Toast with it all the time but this savory combination is better than any French Toast I’ve ever had. It only takes about 10 minutes to prep this casserole the night before you’d like to enjoy it. You place it in the fridge overnight, pop it into the oven and you’ve got a great post run breakfast or Holiday brunch.
The smells of the cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice fill the house while it’s baking and seriously had me standing by the oven waiting for it to come out. The subtle hint of pumpkin is just enough to give you a savory feel without being over powering. I so love the smells of fall baking.
Cinnamon Raisin Pumpkin Challah French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of raisin challah bread cut into 2 inch chunks
- 8 eggs
- 1 1/5 cups of pure canned pumpkin -unsweetened
- 4 Cups skim milk or almond milk
- 1.5 Tbl cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp all spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 Tbl vanilla
- 1/2 cup yellow raisins
- condiment: maple syrup
Instructions
- Spray a large casserole or lasagna pan with cooking spray
- In a large mixing bowl whisk eggs until fluffy
- Add in pumpkin puree, milk, all seasonings and extracts and whisk
- Add half of the Challah bread to casserole
- Pour on half of egg mixture
- sprinkle with 1/2 raisins
- repeat process
- sprinkle with cinnamon
- Cover and refrigerate overnight
- Preheat oven to 400
- bake uncovered for about 40 minutes until egg mixture is set
- rest for 5 minutes
- Serve with maple syrup
If you are looking for a savory breakfast or holiday brunch as the weather turns cooler, I promise you will not be disappointed with this Cinnamon Raisin Pumpkin Challah French Toast. It’s like a warm hug right out of the oven.
Tell me: What’s your favorite breakfast splurge?
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This looks amazing! I love cinnamon and raisin in warm baked dishes but adding pumpkin into the mix too!?! This has to be the perfect fall treat!
It was so much better than I expected
Yum! This looks perfect for a fancy weekend breakfast– I love that you healthified it!
Thank you for hosting!
Perfect for a weekend brunch!
I’m in such a fall mood and am a sucker for cinnamon! Yummm!
Cinnamon is the best! Yum
This. Looks. Simply. Amazing. That is all.
Thanks so much! It is a great treat thanks for checking it out
Oh yum- I have always wanted to make challah bread- this recipe looks perfect for my first time!
It’s a yummy way to jump in!
Yum! I make something similar with French bread. I’ll have to try this!
OH it’s so good hope you enjoy!
Pumpkin French Toast?! Yes, please!
It’s so fall I love it!
Ohhhh wow! This looks amazing. Challah is the best bread! Thanks for hosting.
Thanks for stopping in! The baked breakfasts are the best
OH MY. Yes I am drooling. Cinnamon raisin bread is THE BEST bread – it’s like dessert on it’s own. THEN you go and make a french toast bake with those ingredients? I’m done. Just give me the whole pan please.
I so wish we had not eaten it all!
This looks perfect for fall. I love challah bread and have been wanting to make it on my own!
Great way to start with it! You won’t be disappointed
Oh, yum! I love all the flavors in this! This would be fun for Thanksgiving morning too.
It would be great to throw it in the oven go for a run and come back to a yummy brunch.
I love French toast but agree, so many recipes have way too much sugar! I love this healthier option 🙂
Thanks I did not think it needed any sugar at all
Doesn’t get any more fall than this!! I love me a big smoothie bowl with all of the toppings for a breakfast splurge or pancakes with lots of pb & maple syrup 🙂
Ah me too! Thanks
Yum – this French Toast looks delicious! The pumpkin makes it so perfect for a fall brunch! I tried to link up my cookies Deborah, but it’s not working, even though the post has a back link to you and Sarah.
Thanks and let me take a look at it sorry about that!
Cinnamon Raisin Challah is my favorite! Add in pumpkin and I think I might become addicted!
I know Challah is so good isn’t it?
It’s that pumpkin time of year! I’ve got a list of pumpkin things I like to make: pie, muffins, cookies….yum! This looks good!
Thanks I was trying to hold back but this was too good not to share
This looks like a great breakfast when overnight guests come!
Yes exactly!
sold!!! This is gonna happen in my kitchen!!!! 😉
Oh good! enjoy it
This sounds delicious! I love baked french toast for a brunch option with guests but I’ve never tried it with pumpkin.
Oh it’s a game changer for sure
This seriously looks amazing!
Thanks so much Jaycie
Sounds delicious! Last week, I made pumpkin butter and a pumpkin latte. I could eat pumpkin all year long!
pumpkin butter ooh!
My boyfriend loves french toast but it can get so boring. I love this twist! Definitely going to try it!
Hope you both enjoy it!
This sounds amazing! I love the combo of flavors and can not wait to try it 🙂
Thanks so much hope you enjoy it!
Oh my goodness this looks so good! I think we need to make it this weekend since we have a free morning, now that the fall soccer season is over, to sleep in a little and have a relaxing breakfast!
Hope the moving went well! Happy Meatless Monday!
Great idea! I know your girls will love it and thanks move is done but wow exhausting
Hooray it was working tonight!
awesome don’t know why that happens sometimes
Mmm, I bet that smells delicious!
So delicious!!
Wow, this sounds absolutely delicious!! This would make for THE PERFECT Fall morning breakfast!!
It sure does!
I love anything with pumpkin. Tis the sesason.
Yes it is!!
oh yummmmmmm!
Thanks!!
I love to splurge on Sunday with a big breakfast- this looks delicious! and you made some health swaps- love it! Can’t wait to try!
WE all need a little splurge every once in a while. Hope you enjoy
I cannot thank you enough for this!
LOL hope you enjoy
Ahh this looks so amazing, esp for the fall and upcoming holidays! Challah is a big hit in the family, so I’ll def give this a go. Thanks for sharing love!
I love challah and really had an issue trying to stop eating this one!
I love things you can prepare the night before and just take out and cook in the morning. This would be such a heavenly smell to wake up to!
I know makes it so much easier doesn’t it?!
Cinnamon and pumpkin are some of my favorite foods. Very healthy too.
Mine too! Hope you try it out
my favorite breakfast splurge is probably waffles or eggs benedict. actually i pretty much love all things breakfast!
love breakfast foods all the time!
This looks absolutely amazing!!! I am definitely going to give it a try!!!!!
Thanks hope you enjoy
HELLO perfect fall brunch idea!! That looks amazing!
Thanks so much!
I used to love making french toast with that cinnamon raisin bread we all know from childhood. But once I started using Challah in french toast that was a game changer. I’ll be trying this version of a classic favorite!!
Great hope you enjoy it
Oh DEBORAH this looks AMAZING!! Loooove using challah bread for french toast – so soft and sweet 🙂
It really is isn’t it? Thanks for stopping in
Have I mentioned that french toast is my most favorite food ever!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVEE!
I think it’s mine now too! 🙂
This would be wonderful for a brunch or Thanksgiving morning with family and friends.
Yes! Definitely hope you try it out
Now that its October and its starting to feel more and more like fall each day, I’ll finally admit that pumpkin season is here.
Yes I think it is. I held out until now!
Yum to cinnamon and raisin! Such a great recipe…
Thanks now I think I may have to make it again tomorrow
oh! The pumpkin goodness with challah breah. I am a french toast lover but this definitely takes it up a notch!
Oh yes it does! Hope you try it out