A classic quick and easy French toast recipe made of sliced bread quickly dip or soaked in milky custard mixture sweetened with condensed milk, then fry in butter until golden.
What is French Toast?
This all-time favourite brunch is also known as “pain perdu” in France which means “lost bread”. While the traditional french toast recipe is made of stale bread and dip or soaked in a milk mixture that only includes eggs, milk and a bit of sugar, over the years it was reinvented and added more ingredients for a twist.
French Toast ingredients
The best french toast recipes are made of good bread and a good batter made of a creamy mixture of eggs, milk or cream and flavouring or warm spices.
Bread– Brioche bread is the best to use in French toast. However, thick good quality sliced bread is also a good choice. A day-old or stale bread can be used or previously frozen bread.
Eggs– I like to use 1:1 of 1 whole egg and 1 egg yolk for a creamy custard taste. You can use whole eggs if you like.
Milk– I used heavy cream in this recipe for a creamier taste. You can substitute full-fat milk or evaporated milk. For a dairy-free version, you can substitute almond milk or coconut milk.
Sweetener– condensed milk for a milky taste, substitute granulated sugar, maple syrup or honey.
Flavouring– I used pure vanilla extract and lemon zest to hide the eggy taste
Spices– optional warm spices that can also be added are cinnamon powder and nutmeg.
French toast Toppings
Top with your favourite fruit like strawberries, blueberries or raspberries. Typically served with maple syrup and dusted with powdered sugar. For a twist, I used condensed milk and added lemon zest.
How to make French Toast
- Prepare your choice of toppings and set them aside.
- In a shallow plate or baking dish mix all the custard mixture ingredients until well blended.
- In a skillet or electric griddle pan melt butter over medium heat.
- Dip sliced bread or soak for few seconds in the custard mixture.
- Fry for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
How to avoid a soggy French toast?
Soak the thick slices of bread for about 30 seconds to a minute in the custard mixture or a quick dip for thin slices of bread. Do not soak it for too long if you don’t want your French toast to be soggy. Too much milk in the custard or if the custard mixture penetrates to the bread for too long makes the french toast soggy.
How to make French Toast to-go with toppings?
- Place on a plate or parchment paper if to go for easy wrapping.
How to wrap the French toast to go with fruit toppings?
Cut a 12″×12″ parchment paper or wax paper and fold it twice into a square to create a pocket. Fold the french toast with the toppings in half and insert the french toast in the pocket of folded parchment paper and wrap it tightly.
More easy breakfast recipe ideas
Blueberry lemon cream cheese streusel muffins
Fluffy French Toast Recipe
Watch How to Make It
Equipment
- Electric griddle pan or skillet
Ingredients
- 2 Sliced bread
- 1 tbsp salted butter
Custard mixture
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp condensed milk substitute sugar, maple syrup or honey
- 3 tbsp whole milk substitute heavy cream or evaporated milk
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp lemon zest
- ¼ Cinnamon powder optional
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg a pinch optional
For the toppings
- Any fruit or Berries you like
- Whipped cream
- Condensed milk or maple syrup
Instructions
- Prepare your choice of toppings and set them aside.
- In a shallow plate or baking dish mix all the custard/milk mixture ingredients until well blended.
- In a skillet or electric griddle pan melt butter over medium heat.
- Dip sliced bread or soak for 30 seconds in the custard mixture. Please note that too much milk in the custard or when the bread is soaked in the custard mixture for too long makes the french toast soggy.
- Fry for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
- Place on a plate or parchment paper if to go for easy wrapping.
- How to wrap the French toast to go with fruit toppings? Cut a 12"×12" parchment paper or wax paper and fold it twice into a square to create a pocket. Fold the french toast with the toppings in half and insert the french toast in the pocket of folded parchment paper and wrap it tightly.
