Best French Toast Recipe
If you’re seeking the ultimate cozy brunch treat, look no further than this Best French Toast Recipe. Imagine thick slices of fluffy bread, richly soaked in a creamy vanilla custard, kissed with cinnamon, then sizzled to golden perfection in butter. Every bite is melt-in-your-mouth soft on the inside, crisp on the outside, and deeply comforting. This is the kind of breakfast that turns an ordinary morning into something special, and it’s a long-standing favorite in my own kitchen!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Part of the magic behind the Best French Toast Recipe is just how simple, yet purposeful, the ingredients are. Each one brings something utterly essential to the table—from decadent richness to fragrant warmth—working together to create a truly unforgettable bite.
- Challah or Brioche Bread: Thick-sliced and preferably a bit stale, these breads soak up custard beautifully without falling apart, delivering a pillowy-soft center.
- Half-n-Half or Heavy Cream: Adds irresistible creaminess, making each slice luxurious and rich in flavor and texture.
- Large Eggs: Essential for that classic custardy base and for binding together all the flavors.
- Sugar: Just enough sweetness to balance the richness and highlight the vanilla and cinnamon.
- Vanilla Extract: Offers a fragrant, almost floral note that makes French toast irresistible.
- Cinnamon: Brings a cozy, warming spice that pairs perfectly with sweet toppings and syrup.
- Salted Butter: For frying—and for flavor! It helps achieve the famously golden, slightly crisped exterior.
How to Make Best French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Slice the Bread
Begin with a loaf of challah or brioche and cut it into generous, thick slices—anywhere from three-quarters to one inch thick. If the bread is a little stale, even better! Slightly dried bread holds up beautifully when dipped in the custard, ensuring you get that dreamy, creamy inside without your slices falling apart.
Step 2: Make the Custard Mixture
Whisk together the half-n-half (or heavy cream), eggs, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until it’s completely smooth. I love popping everything in a blender or using an immersion blender here—the cinnamon gets perfectly dispersed and the custard becomes luxuriously uniform. This is the secret to every piece tasting just as amazing as the last.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Take each bread slice and dip it into the custard, giving each side a good 20 seconds to soak up all the creamy goodness. Let the excess drip off (you want it well-saturated, not soggy) before heading to the skillet. This step ensures that lush, custard-like middle!
Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
This part is key to the Best French Toast Recipe: set your pan to a medium-low or low heat. The slow cooking lets the thick, custardy bread cook through evenly, delivering a velvety center rather than a dry or runny one. Patience totally pays off here!
Step 5: Add the Butter
Don’t be shy—a generous knob of salted butter goes into the skillet, and as it melts, it creates that crisp, golden-brown crust. The aroma of butter sizzling with cinnamon-scented custard is absolutely heavenly, and sets the stage for that signature French toast flavor.
Step 6: Cook Each Side
Working in batches, cook each slice for about 3-5 minutes per side, flipping once the underside turns golden and the edges are slightly crisped. If you notice the toast browning too quickly, just lower the heat—it’s all about a slow, gentle cook that lets the inside set up perfectly.
Step 7: Serve Right Away
Once your slices are gorgeously golden and just-cooked through, serve them hot—with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, an extra pat of salted butter, and, of course, plenty of real maple syrup. It’s impossible not to smile at such a plate!
How to Serve Best French Toast Recipe
Garnishes
The simplest finishing touches often make this dish unforgettable. I love dusting the French toast with powdered sugar, which melts into the surface like fresh snow. A generous splash of maple syrup is classic, but don’t hesitate to add a scoop of whipped cream, fresh berries, or even a sprinkle of toasted nuts for crunch. And never forget an extra pat of salted butter to melt over the top!
Side Dishes
The Best French Toast Recipe sings with a few strategic accompaniments. Crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or juicy breakfast ham make perfect salty complements. On the lighter side, serve with a fresh fruit salad or a side of creamy yogurt swirled with honey. A big mug of coffee or a mimosa will never go amiss, either!
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to put a fun twist on serving, try cutting your French toast into batons and presenting them as dunkable “sticks” with sides of maple syrup or chocolate sauce. For a brunch celebration, fan the slices on a platter, alternate with layers of fruit, and scatter edible flowers or mint for a touch of elegance. Individual mini “French toast stacks” are always a hit—tower with fruit, cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover slices of this Best French Toast Recipe keep surprisingly well! Let them cool to room temperature, then wrap in foil or stack with parchment paper between slices before sealing in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to three days—perfect for fuss-free weekday breakfasts.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze French toast for longer storage. Arrange cooled slices on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container for up to two months. This keeps the slices from sticking together so you can grab just what you need later!
Reheating
The best way to reheat? Pop slices into a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F for about 8 minutes, flipping midway through. They’ll get nicely crisp on the outside again. Avoid microwaving if you can, since it can make the bread a little soggy—but in a pinch, 30 seconds per side will do!
FAQs
What’s the secret to perfectly creamy French toast inside?
The key is using thick, slightly stale bread that can soak up the custard and cooking it slowly over gentle heat. This allows the center to gently cook through while the outside browns beautifully—giving you that ideal custardy texture every time.
Can I use regular sandwich bread instead of challah or brioche?
While you can use other breads, challah and brioche are preferred for the Best French Toast Recipe because of their richness and sturdy-yet-tender crumb. If opting for regular bread, choose thick slices and let them dry out a bit before soaking in the custard.
What are the best toppings for French toast?
Classic toppings like powdered sugar and maple syrup never fail, but feel free to experiment! Fresh berries, caramelized bananas, whipped cream, toasted nuts, and even a drizzle of chocolate or fruit sauce are all wonderful choices to enhance your stack.
Is it okay to prepare the custard mixture the night before?
Absolutely! Whisk together all the custard ingredients, cover, and chill overnight. Give it a quick stir in the morning. This is a great way to make brunch prep even easier and speed up your morning routine.
How do I keep French toast warm for a crowd?
To serve a crowd, transfer cooked slices to a wire rack set over a baking sheet and keep them in a 200°F oven. This method keeps the French toast crisp on the outside and perfectly warm until everyone is ready to feast.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re treating yourself or feeding a crowd, this Best French Toast Recipe is pure comfort and joy on a plate. Give it a try, share it with friends or family, and watch how quickly it disappears—everyone will be asking for a second helping!
Print
Best French Toast Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort breakfast with this Best French Toast Recipe. Thick slices of Challah or Brioche bread are soaked in a rich custard mixture, cooked to golden perfection, and served with a sprinkle of powdered sugar and maple syrup.
Ingredients
Bread:
- 1 loaf Challah or Brioche Bread (cut into thick slices)
Custard Mixture:
- 2 cups Half-n-Half or Heavy Cream
- 4 large Eggs
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
Cooking:
- Salted Butter (to cook in)
Instructions
- Prepare Bread: Slice Challah or Brioche bread into thick slices.
- Make Custard Mixture: Whisk together cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until combined.
- Soak Bread: Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture, allowing to soak for 20 seconds. Drain off excess custard.
- Cook: Cook bread on medium-low heat to ensure thorough cooking without burning.
- Add Butter: Add butter to the skillet for flavor and browning.
- Cook Each Side: Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, adjusting heat if needed.
- Serve: Serve hot with powdered sugar, butter, and maple syrup.
Notes
- Using stale bread helps it absorb the custard better.
- Cooking low and slow ensures a fully cooked center.
- Adjust sweetness with more or less sugar to taste.
- Experiment with different bread types for varied flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: French toast, breakfast, comfort food, brunch, easy recipe
