Name: Sweet matzo brei recipe (Passover French Toast)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 8 min
Ingredients: 2 matzo sheets (regular, gluten free or 2 large homemade matzah crackers); 3 eggs; 2 tablespoon milk; 2 tablespoons Butter (for frying, you can also use Earth Balance or olive oil); 1 tablespoon granulated sugar; 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

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Sweet matzo brei recipe is the French toast of Passover: crumbled matzo soaked in milky, delicious eggy custard, fried and served with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Serve with syrup for a little sweet treat!

A plate of Kaiserchmarrn, a type of shredded pancake reminiscent of sweet matzo brie, dusted with powdered sugar. Accompanied by a bowl of red fruit compote in the background on a wooden surface.

I have my tried and true favorite breakfast recipes. Russian cheese pancakes (or syrniki) when I want something low carb. Shakshuka for when I miss the Middle East. Russian pancakes (oladushki) for when my kids crave something sweet. Blintzes when I am feeling elegant. And during nearly every day of Passover, we eat savory matzah brei.

But a girl needs some variety. And when my kids' clamoring for something sweet combined with my desire for matzah brei for breakfast, this Passover sweet matzo brei was born.

A plate of Kaiserschmarrn, reminiscent of sweet matzo brie, topped with powdered sugar. It is accompanied by a small bowl of red fruit compote and a cup of tea. Silverware and a napkin are placed beside the plate on a wooden surface.

What is Matzo Brei (Matzah brei)?

Matzo brei (also spelled matza brei, matzah brei, or simply fried matza) is a dish that is commonly eaten during the Jewish holiday of Passover. It is a classic Jewish comfort food that is made from matzo crackers that are softened in water, then mixed with beaten eggs and fried in butter until golden brown. Its also the star of my Passover Recipe Roundup, alongside other classics like my macaroon pyramid recipe or classic jewish chopped livers, so be sure to check that out!

The word "brei" means "fried" in Yiddish, and so the dish is a combination of matzo and fried eggs. It is often served for breakfast or brunch and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

A plate filled with a heap of golden-brown, sugary, cinnamon-coated crumbled pancakes. These sweet matzo brie creations are served on a decorative floral-patterned plate placed on a white wooden surface.

Sweet or Savory Matzo Brei?

In the battle of savory versus sweet matza brei, who will reign supreme?

Matzo brei can be made both sweet and savory, depending on your taste preferences. (See how to make the classic fried matzo brei as well!)

Savory matzo brei is usually cooked with scrambled eggs, onions, and sometimes even cheese. The recipe requires you to fry pieces of matzo in butter until they are crispy, then add the eggs and other ingredients.

A wooden table is set with a plate of sweet matzo brie, a cup of tea, a teapot, a small dish of red jam, and a fork and knife on a gray napkin.

On the other hand, sweet matzo brei incorporates sweet components such as sugar, powdered sugar, and cinnamon, to create a delicious and sweet dish. It's the Jewish, Kosher-for-Passover answer to French toast: matzo that has been soaked in a milky custard and then topped with even more sweet flavorings. Though not typically enjoyed for breakfast, my chocolate toffee matzo crack is another sweet treat to enjoy over passover.

Another breakfast matzo recipe you just have to try is my matzo brei pizza - absolutely delightful way to start your day. You can also make the classic matzo ball soup, so go for something more modern with my matzo lasagna.

A plate of Kaiserschmarrn, reminiscent of sweet matzo brie, is sprinkled with powdered sugar beside a small bowl of cherry compote. A cup and a carafe of hibiscus tea complete the setup on the light wooden surface.

Tips for Making the Perfect Matzo Brei

Don't oversoak! You only need to wet your matzo sheets in water for a few seconds to soften them. Leaving them too long will make them mushy and frankly gross.
Don't add the sugar to the egg mix - it will make it sticky and prone to burning.
Serve hot - dessert matzo brei is best enjoyed piping hot from the pan!

A flat lay of sweet matzo brie ingredients on a rustic wooden surface. Items include eggs in a bowl, matzo crackers, cinnamon in a small dish, sugar in a bowl, a small plate of butter, a jug of milk, and another bowl with sugar.

Ingredients for the Perfect Passover Breakfast

Besides the milk, butter, eggs, sugar, and cinnamon, what makes this recipe special is the matzo! You can use store bought, but I prefer to make my own homemade matzo (ready in 18 minutes). And if you follow a gluten-free diet, you don't have to miss out on this recipe. Just use gluten free matzo sheets. Take care not to oversoak them, as they are more brittle and fragile than regular matzo sheets.

How to Make Passover French Toast

Soak the Matzo Sheets

Crackers, reminiscent of sweet matzo brie, are placed on a blue plate with additional crackers scattered on the light wooden table. A decorative bowl nearby holds even more of these dimpled, lightly toasted treats.

To start, immerse the matzo crackers in a large bowl or casserole dish filled with cold water for 20-30 seconds (20 seconds for gluten-free matzo).

Prepare the egg mixture

A bowl of beaten eggs is next to a pink plate with pieces of sweet matzo brie. A small dish of butter peeks from the top right corner, all set on a light wooden surface.

Next, break the matzo into small pieces, around 1-2 inches in size, and then transfer them to a large bowl or casserole dish.

Melt the butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Cook Sweet Matzo Brei

A bowl of beaten eggs with a whisk sits on a wooden surface next to a bowl of matzah, ready for sweet matzo brie. A small bowl of salt and additional matzah pieces are artfully arranged beside the bowls.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and vanilla (if using), in a shallow bowl or pie pan.
Pour the egg mixture on top of the matzo pieces. Mix well to combine, making sure to coat both sides of the bread.

Pour the matzo pieces with the egg custard in the frying pan and cook, stirring often, until slightly golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.

Plate and Serve!

A plate of sweet matzo brie pieces dusted with cinnamon sugar. The pastries are irregularly shaped and have a golden-brown texture. They are piled on a decorative plate with a side of sauce partially visible on the right.

In a small bowl, whisk together sugar and remaining cinnamon.

Transfer fried matza brei to a large platter. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over matzo brei.

Matzo brei is best had warm right out of the pan. Serve the sweet matzo brei immediately with maple syrup or honey and enjoy!

A plate of sweet matzo brie or Kaiserschmarrn, dusted with powdered sugar, graces a white wooden table. Beside it sit a cup of tea, a small bowl of red berry compote, and a fork and knife on a neatly folded napkin.

More Ways to Serve Sweet Matzo

If you're looking for more ways to dress up this easy Passover breakfast, try serving your matzo brei French toast with:

A plate of Kaiserschmarrn, reminiscent of sweet matzo brie, is a shredded pancake dessert dusted with powdered sugar. It's accompanied by a bowl of cranberry sauce and a cup of syrup, all perfectly arranged on a light wooden table.

Storage Instruction

You can make the custard mixture ahead of time, but don't soak the matzo in advance as it will crumble it too much and turn it into mush.

Store leftover matzo brei in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave. I won't recommend freezing it because the texture may become too mushy upon thawing.

More Passover Recipes:

For more delicious passover classics, try my gefilte fish recipe, or my grandmother's tzimmes recipe! For another something sweet, you can't go wrong with my sot and chewy coconut macaroon pyramids for dessert.

Recipe

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