Warm Up Your Winter Mornings with a Maine Maple Breakfast Bake

February's deep cold in the Penobscot Valley makes warm kitchens the heart of the home.

 

As true spring remains distant, many Maine families turn to comforting recipes that utilize pantry staples and local flavors to enliven long winter mornings.

 

This baked maple breakfast dish has become a favorite across Maine households for its ease of preparation, ability to feed a group, and the inviting aroma of cinnamon and maple that fills the house—two flavors especially cherished during the coldest stretch of winter.

 

Such recipes are often shared during weekend family breakfasts, snow day mornings, or after early youth hockey practices and winter outdoor activities.

 

Ingredients

 

• 6 slices bread (cubed—white, wheat, or bakery bread works well)

 

• 6 eggs

 

• 2 cups milk

 

• 1/3 cup pure Maine maple syrup

 

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

 

• 2 tablespoons butter (melted)

 

Optional Add-Ins:

 

• Blueberries

 

• Diced apples

 

• Chopped walnuts or pecans

 

Instructions

 

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F.

 

2️⃣ Lightly grease a medium baking dish.

 

3️⃣ Spread cubed bread evenly in the baking dish.

 

4️⃣ In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and melted butter.

 

5️⃣ Pour mixture evenly over the bread and allow it to soak for 5–10 minutes.

 

6️⃣ Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is lightly golden.

 

7️⃣ Serve warm. Many families enjoy adding an extra drizzle of maple syrup before serving.

 

Valley Kitchen Tip

 

Slightly stale bread works perfectly for this recipe, making it a simple way to reduce food waste while creating a warm and filling breakfast.

 

Maine Food Tradition Note

 

Pure maple syrup remains one of Maine’s most recognizable and celebrated local foods.

 

While sap season typically begins later in winter, many households keep locally produced syrup on hand year-round, using it in breakfast dishes, baked goods, and family recipes passed down through generations.

 

Upcoming Maple Events

 

As we embrace the heart of winter, it's also a time to look forward to upcoming maple events in our community.

 

On February 11, 2026, a Maple Sugaring workshop will be held at the Adult Learning Center in Lewiston.

 

This event offers an opportunity to learn about the maple syrup-making process, from tree identification to syrup production.

 

Looking ahead, the annual Maine Maple Sunday Weekend is scheduled for March 21 and 22, 2026.

 

During this event, sugarhouses across the state open their doors to the public, offering samples, demonstrations, and a chance to experience the rich tradition of maple sugaring firsthand.

 

These events provide a wonderful opportunity to deepen your appreciation for Maine's maple heritage and perhaps inspire new culinary creations in your own kitchen.

 

Reader Recipe Invitation

 

Do you have a family recipe or Maine-inspired dish you would like to share with the Valley?

 

Watch for our upcoming community recipe submission form or send us a message—we love featuring reader traditions and local favorites.