Pin it
This magical treat turns stale bread into a golden crunchy delight while keeping a soft center. This old-school French classic brings back childhood memories and fills your home with wonderful vanilla and caramelized butter smells.
The first time I whipped this up for my family, I couldn't believe how easy it was and how fast everyone gobbled it up. The real trick is getting good bread and soaking it in the milk mixture for just the right amount of time.
Kitchen Cupboard Gems
Pin it
- Stale bread: The key foundation that should be slightly hardened to soak up the mixture well
- Fresh eggs: These give richness and structure to your dish
- Whole milk: The fat content makes everything turn out creamy
- Vanilla extract: This enhances the flavors with a gentle fragrance
- Sugar: It lightly caramelizes during cooking
- Butter: You can't skip this for that perfect golden finish
Kitchen Wonder Steps
- Mix preparation
- Beat the eggs with warm milk and vanilla extract until everything blends smoothly together.
- Perfect soaking
- Dip each bread slice in the mixture for exactly 30 seconds on each side.
- Butter melting
- Melt the butter in a hot pan until it starts to foam slightly.
- Careful cooking
- Gently place the slices and let them brown for 3 minutes on each side.
I really like using slightly stale brioche which makes everything extra tasty. My grandma always used country bread, giving it a rustic touch that I loved as a kid.
Foolproof Success
- The heat
- Keep your pan at medium heat so the sugar doesn't burn
- The butter
- Don't be stingy with the butter
- The browning
- Keep a close eye on how it's browning
Tasty Twists
- Orange version
- throw in some orange zest and orange blossom water
- Chocolate option
- sprinkle with chocolate chips before cooking
- Dairy-free alternative
- swap in almond milk
Storage Tips
- Storage
- Keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours
- Reheating
- Warm up in a pan to bring back the crispiness
- Freezing
- Freeze individual slices if needed
Pin it
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- Best texture
- For the best texture, let the bread sit at room temperature for 12 hours
- Fancy touch
- Adding a splash of rum to the mixture gives it a fancy kick
- Better browning
- Using clarified butter helps it brown more evenly
This dish remains one of my favorites because it's so simple yet turns a basic ingredient into an amazing dessert. It shows that traditional French cooking can be both cheap and super tasty.
Dig In!
The right toppings can take this dish to another level. I suggest some fresh berries, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a drizzle of warm maple syrup that pairs perfectly with the golden bread texture.
Serving Ideas
- Fancy brunch
- For a classy brunch, add a dollop of homemade vanilla whipped cream
- Tangy pairing
- Serve with a slightly tangy berry sauce
- Indulgent topping
- Offer salted caramel sauce for those with a sweet tooth
When I serve this at my Sunday brunches, I've found that serving temperature really matters. Warm French toast brings out all the flavors better.
Fun Food Hacks
- Finger food version
- Cut the slices into sticks for a snackable version
- Cool presentation
- Use waffle irons for a fun presentation
- Sweet-savory combo
- Make a sweet and savory sandwich using two slices
Baker's Special Touch
- Caramelized crust
- Make a sugar crust like crème brûlée
- Flavored milk
- Infuse the milk with a split vanilla bean
- Spiced mixture
- Add a pinch of cardamom to the mixture
Smart Storage
- Storage
- Keep in the fridge in an airtight container
- Reheating
- Quickly warm up in a 300°F oven
- Keeping texture
- Skip the microwave as it makes everything soggy
Cook's Inside Tips
- Final taste
- The butter quality directly affects the final flavor
- Richer texture
- Adding some cream to the mix makes everything richer
- Enhanced sweetness
- A tiny pinch of salt brings out the sweet flavors
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What kind of bread works best for French toast?
- Day-old milk bread or similar types with a slight firmness are ideal.
- → How can you keep French toast from getting soggy?
- Don’t soak the bread too long, and cook it on medium heat until golden brown.
- → Can French toast be prepared ahead of time?
- It’s best fresh, but you can prep the egg mixture the night before.
- → Is there a lactose-free option for French toast?
- Absolutely! Swap out regular milk for plant-based milk like almond or soy.
- → What toppings go well with French toast?
- Fresh berries, maple syrup, powdered sugar, or even ice cream for an extra treat.