French toast is an indulgent and delectable way to start the day. Made with thick slices of bread soaked in an egg-milk mixture, then fried until golden brown and crisp.
For French toast, the ideal breads to use are dense and slightly stale varieties such as brioche or challah. These breads absorb the custard-like egg mixture better than thin slices of fresh bread do.
Ingredients
French toast is an effortless breakfast that only requires a few basic ingredients to prepare. Made with eggs, milk, butter, sugar, salt, cinnamon and thick slices of bread – French toast has become one of the world’s favorite breakfast treats for generations!
Making delicious French toast requires selecting the right bread. Dense, sturdy varieties like brioche or challah work best.
These breads can withstand complete saturation with custard without crumbling, and they absorb the beaten egg mixture more readily than fresher varieties do.
Once the slices have been coated in egg mixture, they’re ready for cooking on a hot skillet or griddle. Be sure to preheat the pan slowly so that all pieces cook evenly.
Egg-coated bread only needs 3-4 minutes per side on medium-low heat to crisp up and brown, so feel free to top with butter, syrup or any other desired toppings for a satisfying breakfast or brunch dish.
Preparation
French toast (known as pain perdu in France) is a beloved breakfast delicacy made with bread, eggs, milk and spices.
For delicious French toast, it’s important to get the right balance of ingredients and proportions. Too many eggs and not enough milk will lead to a dry, crumbly mess.
To achieve this, look for an egg-free alternative or a high-quality blend of eggs and milk, such as cage-free or organic. Alternatively, you could also use dairy-free half-and-half or cream if you’re feeling indulgent.
White bread is ideal for sopping up the custard-like mixture. Stale bread also works well since it absorbs more moisture than fresher slices do.
Cooking
Preparing the ideal French toast requires some effort. A quality griddle or skillet will be necessary to achieve that golden color, and generous amounts of butter help the drippings stick to it.
When making French toast, the most crucial step is not overcooking the eggs! Too much heat will cause them to curdle and you won’t end up with a slice that’s light and fluffy.
Other essential ingredients for the perfect custard include a well-seasoned custard base, an abundant pinch of salt, and plenty of butter for that golden brown crust. Add some vanilla extract for flavor enhancement as well. Other key components like cinnamon and molasses add extra dimension to the dish.
Topping
French toast is an ideal way to enjoy a variety of toppings, from powdered sugar and syrup to fresh fruit, whipped cream and bacon. There are also many creative ways to make this dish healthier by scrambling eggs with veggies, spices or bacon before baking them.
For a delicious topping, add slices of bananas, strawberries, blueberries or blackberries sprinkled with powdered sugar. Whipped cream, lemon curd and sauteed apples make delicious additions as well.
Flour: Adding flour to your French toast recipe helps give it a less soggy texture, as it prevents the bread from getting too dry. Plus, using more than just a pinch of flour adds flavor – so go ahead and use more!
Milk: I prefer soy milk for its extra sweetness, but skim or oat milk will work too. You could also try half-and-half or heavy cream for a richer French toast recipe.
Vanilla and cinnamon are also standard additions to the custard base. You can even take things up a notch by adding some liqueurs like spiced rum or Grand Marnier for an extra special touch.
