Golden crisp buttery edges, custardy on the inside, the only question is: what will you top your French Toast with??
Ahhh, the weekend has arrived and with it comes guilt free sleep ins, breakfast in PJ’s with wild untamed hair and truly bottomless coffee.☕️☕️☕️ And unless you’re one of those unique creatures who does grocery shopping towards the end of the week (yes, such creatures exist), chances are your cupboards are pretty bare.
Enter: French Toast. The best of the best of end-of-week foods, made for using up leftover bread!!
SUPER QUICK, SUPER EASY!
You know when you feel like making something grand-ish for a weekend breakfast and but you’re too bleary to tackle Eggs Benedict?
French toast is your answer. Always.
Why? Because it’s effortless, and there’s a plethora of topping options! Here’s how to make French Toast – just dunk bread in an egg and milk mixture, then pan fry in butter until blushing gold on the surface and crispy golden on the edges, then douse liberally with maple syrup.
See? Easy!
HANG ON A SEC – THAT’S NOT SANDWICH BREAD!
True that. It’s brioche. Because if I make French Toast intentionally, that’s my bread of choice. It’s a total shameless indulgence, a copycat of French Toast served at trendy local bistros that charge a small fortune.
So if you’re wondering what the best bread for French Toast is, my answer is this: brioche is hands down the most indulgent, and after this good ole’ sandwich bread, followed by crusty artisan breads (sourdough etc), then everything and anything else (bread rolls, french stick, baguettes etc).
TOPPING OPTIONS
From everybody’s favourite maple syrup, to fresh fruit, caramelised fruit, compotes or fruit syrups, ice cream (for breakfast!), chocolate and caramel sauces, nuts, BACON (yes, yes, YES!!!)…..
So many amazing possibilities, but I’ll tell you a secret:
My favourite is plain French Toast with just maple syrup and a little pat of butter.
The only reason I added strawberries is to make the photos look a teeny bit prettier. Because, as readers know, I’m very conscious that my blog is so dominated by so much yellow and brown foods, and French Toast falls firmly into that bucket.
So just to make myself feel a bit better, I added strawberries. Just for a bit of colour. 😂 – Nagi x
A recipe everyone should know! Made for using up leftover bread, but if you want the ultimate French Toast experience, use brioche bread (pictured in post). There’s no need to use sugar if you’re dousing with maple syrup – plus it burns easily. Best made with stale bread, otherwise, see Note 1. Recipe video below.
- 6 slices brioche or white sandwich bread , slightly stale (Note 1)
- 30 – 40g / 2 – 3 tbsp butter
- 2 large eggs (~60g / 2 oz each)
- ½ cup / 125 ml milk
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 250g / 8 oz strawberries, halved
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- Maple syrup, butter
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Whisk together Egg Mixture in a bowl. Vigorous whisk = avoid cinnamon floating on top.
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Melt 15g / 1 tbsp butter in a non stick skillet over medium heat.
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Dunk a piece of bread quickly into the egg mixture, coating both sides. Place in pan. Repeat with more slices to fill the pan, but don’t crowd it (do 2 or 3 at a time).
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Cook for 2 ½ - 3 minutes on each side until the surface is golden, then transfer to serving plates.
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Add more butter into the pan and cook remaining bread.
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Serve with butter and plenty of maple syrup, and Macerated Strawberries if using!
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Toss strawberries with sugar, set aside for 20 minutes+. The strawberries will soften and sweat, and create a bit of syrup.
1. Best bread for French Toast: brioche is hands down the most indulgent (typically used by trendy bistros, pictured in post), and after this good ole’ sandwich bread (preferably thick cut), followed by crusty artisan breads (sourdough etc), then everything and anything else (sliced bread rolls, french stick, baguettes, even things like Hot Cross Buns and other sweet rolls).
Slightly stale bread is better as fresh bread tends to soak up the mixture too quickly, causing the French Toast to be soggy inside. If your bread is super fresh, pop it in the oven at 180C/350F for 3 minutes on each side, just to dry it out slightly without colouring. Do not do this step if using crusty sourdough (doesn’t need it).
2. General notes:
- Cinnamon and vanilla is recommended, but still absolutely delish without.
- I personally don’t recommend using cream in place of milk. I know it might seem like it will make it richer, but I feel like it leaves a greasy feel in the mouth.
- The right egg to milk ratio is quite important – I think 2 eggs to ½ cup of milk is perfect.
- I don’t use sugar in the egg mixture because a) there’s plenty of sweet poured on top later; and b) it makes the bread prone to burning.
3. Nutrition is for plain white sandwich bread which I think is how most people make French Toast, assuming 3 servings. If going all out and making this using brioche bread, it increases to 664 calories (and worth it!)
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
LIFE OF DOZER
Twinnies! 👀👀
This was great, cooked it up this morning! All I had were brioche buns but they still worked fine. Thanks 😀
I’m glad you enjoyed this Britz! Thank you for letting me know 🙂 N x
That is one of the most adorable pictures of a dog I have ever seen!!!
😇
Hubby usually makes breakfast but his imagination is very limited, he does try though. So this morning I gave him the morning off and made us French toast but using two grainy sour dough bread rolls cut into slices and also adding nutmeg. Thought I overdid it by using 1tsp for each spice, but, all was good. Tasted delicious. Hubby really enjoyed it and also as he was let off. I did dunk them once, cooked them a bit and then dunked them again a second time, yum! Will definitely do them again now that I know how easy and delicious it is. Will try it on my adult children. Love dozer, he is sooo cute. Thanks Nagi.
Ba ha ha! So harsh on poor hubby!!! Glad to hear he appreciated his morning off and that you both enjoyed this! N xx
What a great reminder for French Toast, Nagi. I’m infatuated with cinnamon and definitely add it, vigorously whisked, to the eggs. I also dunk a lot longer than you do because my great joy for the egg custard is to see the French Toast puff up in the pan. Top with butter and apple jelly (the clear stuff).
Someone mentioned doing a savoury version and I do that for my husband as he’s not a fan of the sweet stuff. Adding Italian herbs and smoked paprika in the eggs tops it off nicely.
Savoury French toast is AMAZING!! So what I do is dunk in egg, then I sprinkle generously with parmesan on both sides then pan fry. It’s AMAZING!! N xx
Just made this and husband was very impressed. Said it was the best breakfast he’d had in a while and really enjoyed the subtle taste of cinnamon. Used a Brioche loaf bread that was on special at Woolies and served it with bacon and maple syrup. Will definitely be making this when we have house guests.
Oooh! You’re lucky husband, you spoil him! 😂 Isn’t the Woolies brand brioche amazing?? It’s such great value! N xx
French toast is my one ( of several ) of my vices 🙂 I use much less milk – if any, but this looks amazing
Dozer is such an awesome dog. Give him big hugs and kisses….
Oh believe me, he is getting PLENTY!!! 😂 PS FT is one of my vices too…. I have it way too often! N x
Hi Nagi,
Looks soooooo yummy. I always use cinnamon and vanilla when making FT, but I’ve never tried brioche. I just put ingredients for a brioche loaf in my bread machine so I can try this for brunch with the fam tomorrow.
Dozer and his twin – how adorable! Give him hugs and kisses!
Hi Bev,
Would you please share your brioche recipe for the bread machine? I’ve tried 2 recipes, so far, and have not had much luck with a nice loaf. 🙂
Much appreciated,
Eva
Hi Eva,
This is the recipe that works with my bread maker:
http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/bread-machine-brioche-130770
Hope it works for you too. Good Luck!
Thank you very much, Bev. I can’t wait to give it a go this weekend.
Homemade brioche! You’re amazing Bev!!
Awww shucks, Nagi! My bread maker does all the work. My family really enjoyed this recipe – we may be spoiled for brioche FT. Thanks.
Oh my. French toast. That brings back so many great memories from my youth. I always thought my mom made the best French toast on the planet. It started out just like any French toast recipe but with one twist. She deep fried it in a big ol’ cast iron skillet ’til it was golden brown and crispy then she served it with homemade strawberry preserves. To give you an idea of how good that was, you could put a slice on top of your head and your tongue would slap your brains out trying to get at it.
OMG deep fried French Toast! OMG OMG!!! 🙌🏻 🙌🏻 🙌🏻 🙌🏻
My husband grew up in Iowa and they used butter and sugar on their FT. I grew up in the Pacific NW (British mother) and we used butter and jam. Puppy looks like he is getting better. I am a big fan of your blog.
My husband grew up in Iowa and he uses butter and sugar on his FT. I grew up in the Pacific NW (British mother) and we used butter and jam. Puppy looks like he is on the mend. I so LOVE you blog.
Oooh – YES to jam! I also love sugar and lemon 🙂 Is that weird? I do that with pancakes too! N xx
I haven’t had French toast in AGES! I think I better whip some up this weekend. Thanks Nagi! Hugs to both of you.
I hope you DID!!! 😇 N xx
LOVE French Toast and my husband makes the best. Very similar to yours, only he essentially deep fries his. Uses more oil (with a little butter in it to prevent splattering) so it’s almost, but not quite, like deep frying. Let it get crispy and brown and drain on paper towels. Serve with real maple syrup and get ready to moan… He may soak it a bit longer than your demo, but uses lots of cinnamon and vanilla like you. Great minds think alike!
Dozer’s buddy is a hoot!
OMG I can only begin to imagine how amazing his French is!!
The best bread for French Toast is challah. Maybe tied with brioche. FYI
I agree Robin….I’d call it a tie
You’ve got me! I’m going to try it asap!!
Amen!
I’ve put it at the top of my list of things to try!! Gotta hunt down Challah 🙂 N xx
I love French toast! Just looking at the pictures makes me hungry, so maybe I will make French toast tomorrow morning.
Sweet Dozer looks kind of bored. I guess he is tired of lying around. I hope that he will be up and running around soon.
He is sooo bored…. whenever I take him to the vet he goes mental with excitement just to be out of the house!!!
I love using nutmeg in my French toast.
Oooh yes to that! N xx
The competition for viewers between you and your fur-baby is pretty much neck and neck . I love your recipes and that face is always somewhere in the blog to make me smile. You both have a great day. You both started mine with a smle! Barb
And your messages ALWAYS make me smile Barb!!! You crack me up!! N xx
Making me hungry again! I love French toast and now I’ll have to try it with brioche! Aw, sweet Dozer. I do hope he’s recovering well.
Oooh yes to trying it with brioche! It really is incredible!! 🙂 N xx
Your “golden boy” just makes me smile! Those eyes! And his furry companion…why do big-eyed things always make us go “Ah-h-h”?
Meantime am running to the store for brioche. Texas toast would work too, I imagine. Hmmm, I’ll maybe play around with a savoury version just to experiment. Thanks for posting this, Nagi.
Oooh YES to Texas toast!!! For a savoury version, try sprinkling with parmesan before pan frying. It’s INSANE!
Have you tried making a savoury version with ground black pepper/paprika and mixed herbs instead of the cinnamon? You can also add a slice of cheese on top while the toast is still warm! So delicious!
That sounds magical Larissa – just how I would like my FT to taste!! Anne!
YES!!! I sprinkle with parmesan before I pan fry, it is INSANE!!
I just came here to check in on your pup and see how he’s doing, he’s looking right at home there with his furry friend!
❤️❤️❤️