Best French Toast Recipe

This recipe for the best French toast is whipped up with a few ingredients and topped with warmed maple syrup, this French toast will disappear! The perfect breakfast treat!

Believe it or not, breakfast is not my favorite meal. I find it the easiest meal to be "good" by eating some steel cut oats or a protein shake. As soon as the clock hits 10 am all bets are off for the amount of chocolate I can't resist.

Occasionally though I want to indulge in something sweet and delicious for breakfast. If I prepare the night before I will often make my Cinnamon Rolls but if the craving hits that morning, well I don't have the time to make cinnamon rolls. So I make this recipe for the best French toast, my other breakfast treat. I almost always pick French Toast when I go out for breakfast- which is very rare. I am team soggy bread. Hello, my love of Tiramisu. I know others who do not like "soggy bread" but I am all about it. Especially when the French toast is accompanied by warm maple syrup.

Obviously, I am biased but I do think that this is the best recipe for French toast. This is a no fuss, classic recipe. If you are looking for a special French toast- check out my Nutella Strawberry French Toast.

Let's get to the recipe.

What bread is used

I prefer to use a French Style Brioche Sliced Bread. Trader Joe's and Van de Kamp both make a great loaf.

Should you use stale bread

Stale bread or dry bread is the best for french toast- the thick custard mixture and fresh bread will create a soggy French toast.

How do you dry bread

You need dried out bread. To achieve this with fresh bread all you need to do is bake the bread slices. Heat the oven to 350F/180C and place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, bake for 10 minutes then flip to the other side and bake for another 5 minutes. Let bread cool.

Do you need milk to make French toast?

Most recipes call for milk. I prefer to use whole milk, this is not a low-fat recipe so why use low-fat milk. You can use a mixture of whole milk, half and half, or a mixture of heavy cream and milk. You could knock yourself out and use all heavy cream too. Almond milk would also work well, it just won't yield as rich of a French toast.

How do you make the best French toast?

If the brioche is not stale then you need to cook it to get rid of some of the moisture- otherwise, you will end up with a soggy french toast recipe.

In a large pot add the milk and butter. Cook over low medium heat just until the butter is melted. Take the pan off the heat and set the pot aside to cool.

Once cooled add in egg yolks and vanilla extract whisking to combine. Next mix in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

In a large skillet melt a little butter, I like to let it melt slowly and kind of brown. Brown butter is my absolute favorite. While the butter is browning place a slice of the brioche bread in the custard letting it sit for about 8-10 seconds each side.

Place in the warm pan with butter and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Do not cook too many pieces in the same pan. Instead turn the oven on to 200F and place the cooked french toast on a baking tray to keep warm while you cook the rest.

What goes with French toast?

I like to balance my french toast with some fresh fruit. You could also go all out and serve this french toast with some eggs and bacon.

★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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Best French Toast Recipe

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This recipe for the best French toast is whipped up with a few ingredients and topped with warmed maple syrup, this French toast will disappear! The perfect breakfast treat!

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 Slices 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 Slices Brioche Style Bread (stale or dried out)
• 9oz (Just over 1 Cup) Whole Milk (or Half Low Fat Milk + Half & Half)
• 1oz (2 Tablespoons) Unsalted Butter
• 2 Large Egg Yolks
• 2 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar
• ½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• Pinch of Salt
• 2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
• Butter for cooking the French toast
• Maple Syrup for serving

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Instructions

1. If the brioche is not stale then you need to cook it to get rid of some of the moisture- otherwise, you will end up with a soggy french toast recipe. To dry the bread heat the oven to 350F/180C and place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, bake for 10 minutes then flip to the other side and bake for another 5 minutes. Let bread cool.
2. In a large pot add the milk and butter. Cook over low medium heat just until the butter is melted. Take the pan off the heat and set the pot aside to cool.
3. Once cooled add in egg yolks and vanilla extract whisking to combine. Next mix in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
4. In a large skillet melt a little butter, I like to let it melt slowly and kind of brown. While butter is browning place a slice of the brioche bread in the custard letting it sit for about 8-10 seconds each side. Place in the warm pan with butter and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side. Do not cook too many pieces in the same pan. Instead, turn the oven on to 200F/93C and place the cooked French toast on a baking tray to keep warm while you cook the rest.

Equipment

OXO Kitchen Scale

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Notes

Recipe adapted from Cooks Illustrated 

• Author: Elizabeth Waterson
• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 10
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Cook
• Cuisine: American

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