Best French Toast Ever
This Best French Toast Ever recipe offers a perfect balance of a custardy soft interior and golden, crisp edges, delivering a comforting yet impressive breakfast. Easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, it combines rich custard soaked bread with warm spices and vanilla, making it an ideal choice for both leisurely weekend brunches and quick weekday mornings.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be gluten-free with gluten-free bread
Bread
- Thick slices of day-old brioche or challah bread (6-8 slices)
Custard Mixture
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk (or a mix of milk and cream)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
For Cooking
- Butter (for frying, about 2-3 tablespoons)
- Prepare the Custard Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until fully combined and slightly frothy. This custard will soak into the bread, making it soft yet substantial.
- Soak the Bread: Dip each slice of bread into the custard mixture, allowing it to soak up moisture for about 20 seconds per side—long enough to absorb flavor but not so long it falls apart.
- Heat the Pan and Add Butter: Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle to medium heat and melt a generous pat of butter, making sure it evenly coats the surface for even browning.
- Cook Until Golden: Place soaked bread slices in the pan, cooking about 3–4 minutes per side or until the exterior is beautifully golden brown and slightly crisp while the inside remains custardy.
- Serve Warm: Transfer cooked French toast to a warm plate. Repeat with remaining slices, adding more butter as needed. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings such as fresh berries, powdered sugar, or maple syrup.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread soaks up custard better without turning mushy.
- Don’t skip the butter; it adds richness and helps achieve a perfect golden crust.
- Cooking on medium heat avoids burning while ensuring even cooking inside.
- Customize soaking time based on bread thickness; thicker slices need more soaking, thinner slices less.
- Use a fork to whisk the custard to incorporate air and achieve a light, fluffy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
Keywords: French toast, brunch, breakfast, easy breakfast, custard soaked bread, brioche, challah, sweet breakfast