Are you ready to elevate your breakfast game with the ultimate French toast recipe? Whether you’re hosting a brunch party or simply treating yourself to a cozy morning meal, this French toast is guaranteed to be a hit.
With thick slices of Brioche bread soaked in a luscious, sweet egg custard and a touch of cinnamon, this recipe is pure comfort food. It’s easy to make, incredibly delicious, and has been raved about by countless fans. Let’s dive into the details so you can whip up this dreamy dish in just 20 minutes!
Why This Recipe Stands Out
French toast is a classic breakfast staple, but not all recipes are created equal. Here’s why this one is special:
- The Bread: Brioche bread is the star here. Its soft, buttery texture soaks up the custard beautifully for a rich and satisfying bite.
- The Custard: A mix of heavy whipping cream, eggs, vanilla, and a hint of cinnamon creates a creamy and flavorful base.
- Quick & Easy: With just 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking time, you’ll have a restaurant-quality breakfast in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe serves 4 and packs 359 calories per serving. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 8 slices (8 oz) of Brioche bread – Thick slices work best, about ¾ to 1 inch thick.
- 4 large eggs – The foundation of the custard.
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream – For a rich and creamy texture.
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract – Adds sweetness and depth.
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (packed) – A touch of sweetness.
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional) – For a warm, spiced flavor.
- Pinch of salt – To balance the sweetness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make the best French toast ever:
- Prepare the Bread:
- Slice your Brioche bread into thick slices (¾ to 1 inch). Set aside.
- Make the Custard:
- In a deep, wide bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, brown sugar, cinnamon (if using), and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Preheat the Pan:
- Heat a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add a small amount of oil or use cooking spray to coat the pan evenly.
- Soak the Bread:
- Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture. Flip it back and forth for about 15 seconds to ensure it’s fully soaked but not soggy.
- Tip: Only batter as many slices as will fit in your pan at one time. If you’re cooking in batches, soak the bread right before adding it to the pan.
- Cook the French Toast:
- Place the soaked bread slices into the preheated pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Pro Tip: As the French toast cooks, watch for the center of each slice to rise slightly as the egg custard inside cooks. Once it deflates, gently touch the center—it should feel firm, not squishy.
- Serve:
- Remove from the pan and serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Topping Ideas
The beauty of French toast lies in its versatility. Here are some topping ideas to take your dish to the next level:
- Fresh fruit (berries, banana slices, or apple compote)
- Maple syrup or honey
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar
- Nutella or peanut butter
- Chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
Tips for Success
To make sure your French toast turns out perfectly every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Choose the Right Bread: Brioche is ideal for its soft texture and buttery flavor. If unavailable, Challah or French baguette are great alternatives. Note that denser breads like baguette may require longer soaking times.
- Use Heavy Whipping Cream: This adds richness to the custard. If needed, you can substitute with half-and-half or whole milk, but avoid low-fat options for best results.
- Cook Thoroughly: Make sure the center of each slice is cooked through by checking for firmness after flipping.
- Dairy-Free Options: For a lactose-free version, use lactose-free whole milk or half-and-half. For dairy-free alternatives, oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk work well but may slightly alter the flavor.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick breakdown of the nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 359 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 276mg
- Sodium: 326mg
- Potassium: 60mg
- Sugar: 3g
- Vitamin A: 890 IU
- Calcium: 64mg
- Iron: 1.3mg
Final Thoughts
This French toast recipe is everything you could want in a breakfast dish—simple, indulgent, and utterly delicious. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or an everyday treat, it’s sure to impress. Don’t forget to pair it with a steaming cup of coffee or fresh orange juice for the ultimate brunch experience.
Have you tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Happy cooking!
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The Best French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This French toast it’s a hit with at every brunch party! I use thick slices of Brioche bread soaked in a sweet egg custard with a touch of cinnamon. This easy, luscious French toast has been reviewed hundreds of times and has a
Ingredients
- 8 oz (8 slices) of Brioche bread
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp brown sugar packed
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon optional
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
this egg mixture should comfortably batter 8 slices of Brioche bread that are a between 3/4 and 1 inch thick. It will batter 10-12 slices of French baguette or about 6 slices of Challah. (Remember that baguette and Challah are more dense and will need to be soaked longer.)
Slice bread and set it aside.
In a deep and wide bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon (if using), and salt. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.
Preheat a large cooking pan oven medium to medium-low heat. Add a little bit of oil and spread it evenly (or use cooking oil spray).
Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, and flip back and forth for about 15 seconds. Brioche bread is nice and quick to soak up the egg.
Note: Only batter as many slices as will fit into the pan. If you have to cook in two or more batches, batter bread right before adding it to the pan.
Place battered slices into the pan and let it cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown. (Repeat with remaining slices of bread if needed.)
PRO TIP: as the French toast slices cook, after you flip the bread to the uncooked side, you are looking for the center of the bread slice to raise as the egg inside cooks. Raising center is indicating that the egg that soaked in the middle is cooking. Wait until it deflates and carefully touch the center with your finger. It should feel firm and now squishy.
Serve with your favorite topping.
Notes
Bread: for the best French Toast, use Brioche loaf and slice it into thick slices that are between 3/4 and 1 inch thick.
For more bread options, check the post for information about Challah and French Baguette.
Heavy Whipping Cream – I recommend using heavy whipping cream because of the rich and creamy consistency that it brings to the custard. You can use half and half or whole milk if absolutely needed but not with less fat.
For a lactose free option, you can use lactose free whole milk or lactose free half and half. If you need a dairy free option, use oat, almond, or soy milk substitutes but note that the flavor will change slightly.
Make sure your French Toast is cooked through (touch the center) – once you flip the bread slices, you will notice the bread will raise in the center. Let it raise, cook, and deflate. Touch in the center to make sure it feels firm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 359 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 326 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 276 mg
