Golden Custardy French Toast (Printer-Friendly)

Crispy golden bread soaked in vanilla custard and pan-fried until perfectly caramelized

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy & Eggs

01 - 4 large eggs
02 - 1 cup whole milk
03 - 2 tbsp heavy cream (optional, for extra richness)

→ Dry Ingredients

04 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar
05 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
06 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
07 - Pinch of salt

→ Bread

08 - 8 slices of day-old brioche, challah, or thick white bread

→ For Cooking

09 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Toppings

10 - Maple syrup, to serve
11 - Powdered sugar, to dust (optional)
12 - Fresh berries or fruit (optional)

# Direction Steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream (if using), sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
02 - Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter.
03 - Dip each bread slice into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for a few seconds on each side, but not so long that it becomes soggy.
04 - Place the soaked bread slices onto the hot skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Add more butter to the pan as needed.
05 - Transfer cooked French toast to a serving plate. Repeat with the remaining bread slices. Serve warm, topped with maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, and fresh berries if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the perfect excuse to use up bread that's past its prime
  • The custard ratio creates that restaurant style texture without any fancy techniques
  • You can customize the toppings based on whatever you have in the kitchen
02 -
  • Too much soaking turns bread into custard pudding instead of French toast, so watch carefully
  • Medium heat might feel slow but prevents burning before the interior cooks through
  • Letting finished pieces rest on a wire rack keeps them crispy instead of soggy
03 -
  • Grate your own cinnamon right before whisking for the most intense flavor
  • Let finished French toast rest for 1 minute before serving to set the texture
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