The Best French Toast
The Best French Toast
French Toast is a classic breakfast recipe that features slices of bread soaked in a sweetened egg mixture. Soaked bread is then cooked in a pan until golden brown of each side. For a perfect finish, French Toast can be topped with powdered sugar, fruit, maple syrup, or butter.
This great breakfast recipes actually dates back centuries ago but the true origin is not knows. Since just about every country has their own version of this dish, it’s hard to point out where it came from exactly.
The version of French Toast that we’re familiar with in US most likely originated from the French recipe for “pain perdu,” that literally means “lost bread.” This term comes from a way of reviving stale bread so it can be eaten instead of thrown out. The perfect way to revive old bread was to soak it in eggs and milk and cook it. “Pain perdu” was often served as a dessert or snack in the afternoon.
This recipe started being referred to as “French Toast” by the British in the 17th century after returning from visiting France. Eventually, this dish made its way to US with the British settlers. Through the centuries, this recipe has traveled and involved into what we now know as a delicious breakfast dish.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (8 slices) of Brioche bread
- 4 large eggs
- 3 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Note: this egg mixture should comfortably batter 8 slices of Brioche bread that are a between 1/2 and 1 inch thick. It will batter 10-12 slices of French baguette or about 6 slices of Challah.
- Slice bread and set it aside.
- In a deep and wide bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, sugar, and salt. Whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- Preheat a large cooking pan oven medium to medium-low heat. Add a couple of tablespoons of canola oil and spread it evenly.
- Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture as well as the edges. Brioche bread is nice and quick to soak up the egg. (Just 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.)
- Serve with your favorite topping.