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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Breakfast

    French Toast

    Published: Jan 3, 2021 || Last updated: Apr 11, 2021 by Farrukh Aziz

    148 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    My Brioche French Toast is a family favorite. Flavored with cinnamon and vanilla then pan fried in butter, this easy and classic French toast recipe is perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast any time of year.

    Stack of 5 slices of brioche french toast on a white plate topped with fresh fruits.

    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love this Recipe
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • How to make Perfect French Toast
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQs, Storing and Freezing
    • Serving Ideas (topping options)
    • More delicious breakfast/brunch recipes
    • ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    Why you will love this Recipe

    There is something magical about classic French Toast. Perfectly fluffy on the inside and crispy golden on the outside, this is a breakfast recipe the whole family can get behind.

    If you haven't yet tried making homemade French Toast from scratch, now is the time to try. My recipe uses brioche, an enriched French bread that has a tender crumb and soft crust meant for soaking in custard and frying to perfection.

    I also love how simple this recipe for brioche French Toast is. Requiring just a handful of simple ingredients, it is one of the thriftiest high-end breakfast dishes I can think of!

    While this recipe is decadent enough for a holiday gathering, it requires just two (!!!) dishes - one for mixing the custard and dipping the bread, and one pan for frying.

    That means that while your family will feel like they're dining in a top-notch restaurant, you will have very little clean up to do when they're done. Indeed, this recipe is ideal for the whole family to enjoy a lazy weekend morning together.

    As an added bonus, my French Toast has a decent amount of protein - 9 grams per serving. This will help to keep tummies feeling full well into the day.

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Bread : For the absolute best French Toast, I always turn to brioche. It is lightly sweetened with honey, making it ideal for this application.

    Brioche is part of the enriched bread family, meaning it is made with eggs and fat. This results in a shorter gluten chain, meaning the crumb is more tender and fine.

    If you are unable to find brioche, I recommend sticking to other enriched breads. Challah, white bread slices or even hot dog/hamburger buns all fit into this category.

    You can also opt to use sweetened breads like cinnamon swirl or raisin bread for a bit of extra flavor and texture.

    Milk : In terms of milk, you can opt to go richer by subbing in half n half or heavy cream.

    You can also opt for dairy free options if you are allergic to lactose. Just be aware that your bread *may* have been made with butter and/or milk, so proceed with caution.

    Oat milk and coconut milk both have a natural sweetness that lend themselves to custard, but any alternative milk should work.

    Flavorings : I opted for a very traditional flavor profile for my brioche French Toast recipe, using just vanilla extract and cinnamon. You can certainly fiddle with the seasonings to fit your preference. The sky is honestly the limit!

    Nutmeg or cardamom would add a lovely bit of warmth. Almond extract gives the custard a flavor more akin to marzipan.

    Some citrus zest would add a nice brightness that would play well with fruit compotes. Feel free to play!

    How to make Perfect French Toast

    The first step to making French Toast is making a custard mixture. While this might sound complicated, I promise it isn't! A custard is simply eggs and milk that have been whisked together with seasonings.

    TIP: To cut down on the number of dishes, I recommend choosing a mixing bowl that you will easily be able to fit your bread slices into for soaking.

    hand pouring eggs into milk in a mixing dish

    Since French Toast is a sweet dish, we will add some sugar, cinnamon and vanilla to the mix. Once you add all of the ingredients for the custard to the bowl, whisk vigorously for 2-3 minutes to really incorporate all ingredients and to aerate the mixture.

    cinnamon, sugar and vanilla added to milk and egg mix for classic french toast

    Now that the custard base is made, it's time to get frying! Set your sauté pan up over medium heat and add a bit of butter to melt.

    TIP: Wait for the butter to melt and begin to bubble before testing the pan. To know when the pan is ready for your toast, dribble a tiny bit of the custard mix into the pan with a fork. It should begin to cook immediately when it hits the pan.

    slice of brioche soaking in custard mixture for easy french toast recipe

    Once the pan is ready for your first slice, it is time to dip the bread into the custard mixture. It is important that you work quickly here, or the bread will begin to disintegrate.

    Dip your first slice in, let it soak for about 2 seconds, then flip. Soak for another two seconds, then remove it from the custard mix, allowing any excess batter to drip back into the mix.

    hands removing a piece of soaked bread from custard mixture

    Place the soaked bread slice into the prepared skillet. Leave it untouched for 2-3 minutes before flipping. You want it to be golden brown and lightly crispy on all sides.

    custard soaked bread added to a skillet with butter

    When the toast has been flipped, it should take another 2-3 minutes to cook fully on the other side.

    TIP: You should double check that the custard mixture has cooked through before removing the slice from the pan. Using your spatula, lightly press down on the slice. If any custard seeps out, it still needs time to cook.

    slice of french toast after being flipped in pan

    Once the toast slice is cooked through, remove it from the pan. I like to keep mine on a sheet pan in the oven set to 200F until all the slices are cooked. That way, the whole family can eat together!

    Expert Tips

    Bread : When making this brioche French Toast, remember that stale bread is best for the job. While this might seem counterintuitive, stale bread will soak up more of the custard mixture without falling apart. In fact, the French call this recipe pain perdu, which literally translates to "forgotten bread!"

    Egg Mixture : It is also quite important to whisk the egg mixture well. This will help to both distribute the spices as well as fully incorporate the yolk and whites.

    Heat : Be sure to venture no higher than a medium heat. The custard mixture is quite delicate, and you don't want to scorch the bread or the eggs.

    You can test the pan for readiness by dropping a drip or two of custard mixture into the pan - it should immediately begin to cook through and become opaque. When the pan is ready, only cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.

    Over crowding the pan : Finally, don't try to overload the pan. Depending on the size of your skillet and the size of the brioche, you may be able to fit up to two slices at a time.

    Each slice should get its own time to bask in the warmth of the pan, and crowding the pan will result in uneven heat distribution and soggy slices.

    Classic brioche french toast on a round white plate with silverware, maple syrup and fresh fruits.

    FAQs, Storing and Freezing

    Which is the best bread to make French Toast?

    In my humble opinion, brioche bread is superlative. That said, any enriched (meaning soft crusted and tender crumbed) bread will do the trick.

    Can I bake it in the oven?

    Classic French Toast is usually fried in a pan with some butter.
    If I'm just feeding my immediate family, I keep a plate or sheet pan in the oven set to 200F. After each slice is fried, I put it on the sheet pan to keep warm until the entire batch is ready to serve.
    However, if you are serving a crowd, baking the French Toast might be a better option for you.
    Pre heat the oven at 350 F. Place the dipped brioche on to the baking sheet in even layer and bake for 10 minutes. Then, flip and bake it further for another 5-6 minutes.

    How should I store the leftovers?

    This recipe is so delicious that I doubt you'll have any! That said, you can save cooked French Toast in the refrigerator for up to three days.

    You can also opt to freeze it by using pieces of parchment to separate the slices. When you're ready for a slice, simply pop it in the toaster oven or microwave to warm it through!

    Can I freeze the French toast?

    Absolutely! Once the toast has been pan fried, allow it to cool to room temperature.
    Separate the slices (to prevent sticking once frozen) using pieces of wax paper or parchment. Place in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible.
    It will last for up to a month in the freezer.

    Serving Ideas (topping options)

    Brioche French Toast is as amenable to toppings as waffles. The "classic" French Toast should get a hefty drizzle of maple syrup, but there are so many more options. Feel free to get crazy with it!

    Here are some ideas to mix and match:

    • Lightly sweetened cream cheese, mascarpone or whipped cream
    • Browned butter
    • Whipped, sweetened compound butter (e.g. strawberry, cinnamon)
    • Fresh berries or banana slices
    • Fruit curd, compote, jelly or jam
    • Nutella, peanut butter, other nut butters or even cookie butter
    • Maple syrup, golden syrup or honey
    • Powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar
    • Toasted coconut or toasted nuts (e.g. pecans, walnuts, pistachios, cashews)

    TIP: If you are serving French Toast to a crowd, you can set up a bar of assorted toppings and condiments so everyone can make their own delicious breakfast plate!

    More delicious breakfast/brunch recipes

    • Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes
    • Easy Pumpkin Bread
    • How To Make Fluffy Pancakes (Video)
    • Blueberry Coffee Cake

    If you made my Brioche French Toast recipe, please let me know how it turned out for you! I'd love to hear through your comments and ratings below.

    If you are looking for more delicious and easy recipes delivered straight to your inbox, you can sign up for my email newsletter.

    You can also follow me on Pinterest, Instagram or Facebook to see more of my kitchen creations.

    ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    Stack of 5 slices of brioche french toast on a white plate topped with fresh fruits
    5 from 12 votes
    Print

    Classic Brioche French Toast Recipe

    A simple breakfast using humble ingredients, this deliciously inexpensive recipe is fancy enough for company.
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine French, World
    Diet Nut-free
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 273kcal
    Author Farrukh Aziz

    Ingredients
     

    • ⅔ cup Milk
    • 2 Large Eggs
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 1.5 tablespoons Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
    • 8 slices Brioche Bread, Challah Bread or White Bread
    • 2-3 tablespoons Butter
    • Maple syrup, Honey or Jam and Fruits or Berries to serve
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a shallow dish, add milk, eggs, vanilla extract, sugar and ground cinnamon, whisk very well.
    • Pre heat a non stick skillet over medium heat and grease it with little butter.
    • Now you need to work quickly here. Dip bread slice into the egg mixture and let it soak for 2-3 seconds, flip and dip the other side and soak for another 2 seconds.
    • Immediately place the dipped bread onto skillet and cook on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer to serving plates.
    • Grease the skillet with butter each time and repeat the same for remaining brioche slices.
    • Serve hot with fresh berries or fruits, and lots of maple syrup or honey. You can also sprinkle some powdered sugar over the toast and serve.

    Notes

    • Brioche is the preferred bread for this recipe, but any other enriched white bread will do. Feel free to use challah, dinner rolls, sliced white bread or even leftover buns.
    • Works best with stale bread. That's why the French call this dish pain perdu!
    • Feel free to freeze leftovers by separating slices with parchment and sealing in a freezer bag. Reheat slices in the toaster oven or microwave for breakfast on demand!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 357mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 403IU | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag @cubesnjuliennes on Instagram and hashtag it #cubesnjuliennes!

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    Comments

      5 from 12 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    1. Jacqueline Debono says

      January 11, 2021 at 2:42 am

      5 stars
      I made this French toast as a breakfast treat yesterday. It was so good. I loved the addition of cinnamon! I didn't have any berries so topped it with some organic honey! But next time want to top with berries!

      Reply
    2. Addison says

      January 10, 2021 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      This French toast is truly comfort food at its best! So warm and cozy!

      Reply
    3. Cindy says

      January 10, 2021 at 6:03 pm

      This was the perfect texture - crispy on the outside and soft on the inside! We really enjoyed it and will be making it again. I was inspired by your photos to serve it with golden kiwis and loved combo too ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    4. Sam says

      January 10, 2021 at 5:47 pm

      5 stars
      I was looking for something different for breakfast and this was just perfect! Loved how easy it was too.

      Reply
    5. Veronika says

      January 10, 2021 at 10:41 am

      5 stars
      I didn't make french toasts for awhile... I need to make them next weekend and surprise my hubby, he will love them!

      Reply
    6. Tracy says

      January 09, 2021 at 8:17 am

      5 stars
      We made this yesterday and the whole family loved it so much. Thanks for another great recipe - we'll be making this again for sure!

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz says

        January 10, 2021 at 3:07 am

        Hi Tracy,
        You are very welcome and thank you so much, I am glad everyone at your home loved it ๐Ÿ™‚ .

        Reply
    7. Jenny says

      January 08, 2021 at 12:37 pm

      5 stars
      This brioche French toast was a breeze to make and was really delicious. All the picky family members polished their plates and requested we make this for breakfast again. It's a miracle! Thanks so much for posting your recipe.

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz says

        January 10, 2021 at 3:08 am

        Hello Jenny,
        You are very welcome. Thank you so much for lovely feedback, I am so happy to know family loved it . ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    8. Chef Dennis says

      January 06, 2021 at 2:52 am

      5 stars
      I hope it's breakfast soon! Your Brioche French Toast looks really delicious and mouthwatering!

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz says

        January 10, 2021 at 3:11 am

        Hello chef,

        Thank you very much! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    9. Lauren Vavala says

      January 05, 2021 at 1:13 pm

      5 stars
      I have always loved French toast. It reminds me of my childhood and this looks absolutely amazing!

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz says

        January 10, 2021 at 3:12 am

        Thank you very much Lauren. Yes, this toast indeed reminds us of our childhood and so many memories attached to it. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    10. Eva says

      January 05, 2021 at 7:19 am

      5 stars
      I have never ventured into making French toast because it always felt a little daunting, but you have definitely convinced me of the opposite. Great tip to keep the toasts together in the oven while making them, so they stay warm and you can sit at the table when yu're ready and everybody starts eating.

      Reply
      • Farrukh Aziz says

        January 10, 2021 at 3:34 am

        Thank you very much Eva. ๐Ÿ™‚
        I am extremely happy to know that I was of help to convince you about this recipe. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply

    Hey there, I'm Farrukh !

    Closeup Portrait of Farrukh Aziz - Author of Cubes N Juliennes.

    Welcome, I am glad you're here! At Cubes N Juliennes, you'll learn simplified, flavorful, and family-friendly dinner ideas. I aim to create easy, globally inspired, and approachable recipes for all home cooks to make every meal special. Come, say Hi, pick your favorite, and let's celebrate food together!

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