Be the boss of brunch this holiday season with a build-your-own homemade French toast bar inspired by everyone’s favorite festive pies. 

French toast is the ultimate feel-good brunch fare — elegant yet simple, and endlessly customizable. So this holiday season, make it a party! Invite friends or fam and let ’em run wild slathering the thick slices of toast with pumpkin butter, dousing ’em with stewed fruit, swirling on the whipped cream, and drizzling over a generous glug of maple syrup. Because if there’s ever been a time to treat yourself to dessert-for-breakfast, it’s the holidays.

Bonus points for the fact that hypothetically — since there probably will be none — leftover slices can toast up nicely.

Homemade French Toast

Ingredients:

• 6 Eggs
• 1 1/2 Cups Milk
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 1/2 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• Butter
• 10-14 Slices Thick-Cut Bread

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shallow dish or bowl (except butter and bread).*
2. Dip each slice into egg mixture and cook in a medium-sized pan with butter until each side is golden brown, about 2 minutes, flipping once.
3. Add your favorite holiday toppings, and enjoy!

*If you’re making the Pecan Pie French toast, add finely chopped pecans and adjust the amount of cinnamon and brown sugar accordingly during this step. For all other variations, add toppings at the end.

Topping #1: Pumpkin Pie

1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Butter – 1/2 Teaspoon Pumpkin Spice Mix – Whipped Cream 

Top each slice with pumpkin butter, swirl on the whipped cream, and sprinkle with spice mix for added flair.

Topping #2: Cherry Pie

1/2 Bag Frozen Cherries – 1/2 Cup Sugar – 2 Tablespoons Butter – 1 Orange, Juiced – 1 Teaspoon Cornstarch – Whipped Cream

Bring all ingredients (except whipped cream) to a boil in a medium-sized pot, then remove from heat and pour over French toast. Swirl on the whipped cream, and enjoy!

Topping #3: Apple Pie

1 Medium Apple (peeled and sliced) – 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar – 2 Tablespoons Butter – 1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon – 1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Add apple slices, brown sugar, and butter in a medium-sized pan. Mix until brown sugar and butter dissolve, then add vanilla extract and cook 8-10 minutes. Serve over French toast.

Topping #4: Lemon Meringue

Lemon curd (store-bought or homemade) – Whipped Cream – Powdered Sugar 

Top French toast with lemon curd and whipped cream. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, and enjoy!

Topping #5: Pecan Pie

1 Cup Pecans, finely chopped – 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon – 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar – Maple Syrup 

Combine pecans, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a shallow dish. Add egg-soaked bread and evenly coat both sides of the French toast. Cook over medium heat until both sides are golden brown, then serve with maple syrup.

For more sweet breakfast inspiration, try your hand at sweet potato toast or homemade jam. And if savory’s more your thing, toast with soft scrambled eggs and smoked salmon is the way to go.