1-Gathering and Mixing Ingredients: First, in a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups milk, 6 large eggs, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon until well combined. This mixture forms the base that soaks into the bread, giving those muffins their signature flavor. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin and add about 1 cup of the cubed French bread (from 1 loaf cut into ½ inch cubes, about 12 cups total) to each muffin cup.

2-Assembling and Chilling: Pour the egg and milk mixture evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently to ensure absorption. You can also combine the bread cubes with the mixture in a large bowl before distributing into the muffin cups for easier handling. Cover the tin with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight, which helps the flavors meld and makes mornings smoother. Prep time is about 20 minutes, with chilling adding extra time for the best results.

3-Baking and Serving: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For the topping, mix 1/4 cup cold butter, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt by hand until crumbly. Remove the muffins from the refrigerator, sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over each one, and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes, then remove them from the pan and serve warm, with butter and maple syrup if desired. Cook time is 25 minutes, making the total time approximately 45 minutes plus chilling.