A fancy breakfast-at-home doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. This Cinnamon French Toast with Apple Compote and Maple Chantilly Cream is one of my favorite breakfasts to make for special occasions, like Christmas morning or Valentine’s Day. These are all ingredients we have on hand in our kitchen on any given day, and it doesn’t require any complicated kitchen skills to pull off. Served with a couple slices of bacon and a hot cup of coffee, this is an excellent way to spoil your loved one (or even yourself!) with breakfast in bed.

TIP: As an alternative to maple syrup, consider using apple cider syrup. Our favorite brand is from Athol Orchards in Idaho. You can choose from traditional or their spicy version!

Classic French Toast

2 large eggs
1/4 C heavy whipping cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
4 slices bread (I recommend using Brioche)
1 pat of butter for cooking

In a shallow pan or pie plate, add the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Whisk until well combined. Dip each side of the bread in the egg mixture.

Melt a little butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the French toast until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes on each side.

Cinnamon Apple Compote

2 of your favorite sweet apples, cored, skinned, and chopped (I recommend one Honeycrisp and one Granny Smith)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Small splash of water

Place apples, cinnamon, and water in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until the mixture is bubbling. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook, stirring often, until the apples have cooked down but still have some texture, 15-20 minutes.

Maple Chantilly Cream

1 C heavy whipping cream
3 TBSP maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Pour the heavy cream, maple syrup, and vanilla into a large bowl. Use a hand mixer with a whisk attachment on medium to mix until stiff peaks form.

To Serve

Serve the French toast warm. If desired, drizzle some maple or apple cider syrup over the French toast. Next, spoon on the apple compote, and top with Chantilly cream. (When the cold cream hits the warm apples and French toast, the consistency will start to loosen and melt creamy goodness over your apples!) Sprinkle chopped candied pecans over the whole thing and serve immediately.