Gather around the table for a truly indulgent breakfast experience with these Maple Bourbon French Toast Stacks with Candied Bacon. This delectable dish combines the rich, warming flavors of maple and bourbon with the crispiness of candied bacon, creating a cozy and craveable start to your day. Let’s dive into this epic and satisfying recipe that’s sure to become a new family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Bourbon French Toast Stacks with Candied Bacon
Indulge in the ultimate breakfast treat with these Maple Bourbon French Toast Stacks. The combination of fluffy French toast, a hint of bourbon, and the sweet, smoky crunch of candied bacon is the stuff of breakfast dreams. This recipe is a delightful balance of comfort, decadence, and modern flair, perfect for a weekend brunch or a special occasion. Prepare to wow your guests (or just treat yourself!) with this truly memorable dish.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for these Maple Bourbon French Toast Stacks, including thick-cut bread, eggs, milk, bourbon, maple syrup, cinnamon, and of course, the star of the show — crispy, candied bacon. This lineup of flavors will create a breakfast that’s both comforting and craveable.
- 8 slices – Thick-cut bread
- 4 – Eggs
- 1 cup – Milk
- 2 tablespoons – Bourbon
- 2 tablespoons – Maple syrup, plus more for serving
Ingredient Substitutions
- Dairy-free milk: Plant-based milk, such as almond or oat milk (for a dairy-free version)
- Non-alcoholic: Maple or vanilla extract (instead of bourbon)
How to Make Maple Bourbon French Toast Stacks with Candied Bacon
Begin by preparing the candied bacon. Toss the bacon in a mixture of brown sugar, maple syrup, and a pinch of cinnamon, then bake until crispy and caramelized. Next, whisk together the eggs, milk, bourbon, maple syrup, and cinnamon for the French toast batter. Dip the bread slices into the batter, ensuring they are fully coated. Griddle or pan-fry the battered bread until golden brown on both sides, creating the perfect French toast base. Stack the French toast slices high, layering the candied bacon in between each layer. Drizzle the entire stack with additional maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar for a truly indulgent finish.
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by preparing the candied bacon. Toss the bacon in a mixture of brown sugar, maple syrup, and a pinch of cinnamon, then bake until crispy and caramelized. Next, whisk together the eggs, milk, bourbon, maple syrup, and cinnamon for the French toast batter.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Dip the bread slices into the batter, ensuring they are fully coated. Griddle or pan-fry the battered bread until golden brown on both sides, creating the perfect French toast base.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Stack the French toast slices high, layering the candied bacon in between each layer. Drizzle the entire stack with additional maple syrup and dust with powdered sugar for a truly indulgent finish.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
For an extra special touch, you can add a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of chopped pecans or walnuts to the top of the French toast stacks.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spirit Swap: Try swapping the bourbon for a different spirit, such as rum or cognac.
- Topping Ideas: Experiment with different toppings, like fresh berries, caramelized bananas, or a drizzle of salted caramel sauce.
- Healthier Version: Use whole-grain or gluten-free bread and reduce the amount of sugar in the candied bacon.
- Bread Choices: Experiment with different types of bread, such as challah or brioche, to achieve your desired texture and flavor profile.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Additional maple syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream, chopped pecans or walnuts.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or a skillet before serving.
Make-Ahead: The French toast batter can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
This indulgent breakfast treat provides a satisfying balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. Each serving is packed with the comforting flavors of maple, bourbon, and crispy bacon, making it a truly memorable and nourishing way to start your day.
- Serving Size: 2 stacked French toast slices with bacon
- Calories: 572 kcal
- Protein: 19 g
- Carbs: 54 g
- Fat: 31 g
- Sodium: 679 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the French toast batter in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the French toast batter up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just be sure to give it a good stir before dipping the bread.
How do I ensure the candied bacon stays crispy?
To keep the candied bacon crisp, make sure to bake it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows the excess fat to drip away, resulting in perfectly crispy bacon.
Can I use a different type of bread?
Absolutely! While thick-cut bread works best for this recipe, you can experiment with challah, brioche, or even sourdough for a unique twist.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can easily make this recipe dairy-free by substituting the milk with your preferred plant-based milk, such as almond or oat milk.
How do I prevent the French toast from getting soggy?
To avoid soggy French toast, be sure to fully coat the bread in the batter and allow any excess to drip off before cooking. Also, don’t overcrowd the pan or griddle, as this can lead to steaming and sogginess.
Try These Next
- maple bacon french toast bake with vanilla cream
- cinnamon roll french toast casserole with maple syrup
- smoky maple bourbon bbq ribs with tangy slaw
Indulgent Maple Bourbon French Toast Stacks with Candied Bacon
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: 🍳 Breakfast & Brunch Upgrades
- Method: Baking & Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in layers of fluffy French toast drizzled with maple syrup and topped with crunchy candied bacon. A perfect brunch treat!
Ingredients
8 slices of thick-cut brioche bread
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup bourbon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
8 slices of bacon
1/4 cup brown sugar
Fresh berries for garnish
Additional maple syrup for serving
Instructions
1.
2. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the bacon slices on it. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the bacon.
4. Bake the bacon for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy and caramelized. Remove and let cool, then chop into pieces.
5. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, bourbon, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
6. Dip each slice of brioche into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are coated.
7. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter. Cook the soaked brioche slices for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
8. Stack two slices of French toast on a plate, top with chopped candied bacon, and drizzle with additional maple syrup.
9. Garnish with fresh berries and serve immediately.
10.
Notes
For a non-alcoholic version, you can omit the bourbon and replace it with an extra splash of vanilla extract.
Use gluten-free bread if you need a gluten-free option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stack
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
Keywords: French Toast, Breakfast, Brunch, Maple, Bourbon