Name: Best French Toast Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 loaf Challah or Brioche Bread (cut into thick slices); 2 cups Half-n-Half or Heavy Cream; 4 large Eggs; 1/4 cup Sugar; 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract; 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon; Salted Butter (to cook in)

Jump to Recipe

This Best French Toast Recipe takes your breakfast game up several notches with thick slices of challah or brioche, soaked in a rich, creamy custard and cooked to golden perfection. Imagine biting into toast that’s crisp on the outside, soft and custardy in the center, and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of warm maple syrup. If you’ve only ever had ordinary French toast, you’re in for a delightful surprise with this version, where every ingredient and step is designed to create the most crave-worthy, brunch-worthy plate you’ve ever made at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes the Best French Toast Recipe truly great? It’s all about quality and simplicity. Each ingredient plays a key role in developing the final flavor, texture, and inviting color, so don’t skip on the details–they matter!

Challah or Brioche Bread: Thick, sturdy slices soak up the custard without falling apart, creating a pillowy interior.
Half-n-Half or Heavy Cream: Adds luscious richness and velvety texture to the custard mixture.
Large Eggs: The backbone of the custard, eggs bind everything and ensure the French toast cooks through properly.
Sugar: A touch of sweetness that caramelizes beautifully as the toast cooks.
Vanilla Extract: Infuses the custard with warm, aromatic flavor notes.
Cinnamon: The classic spice that brings both warmth and irresistible aroma to every bite.
Salted Butter: Used for cooking, it helps achieve crispy, golden edges and adds plenty of flavor.

How to Make Best French Toast Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Bread

Start by slicing your challah or brioche into thick slices—about an inch or so is perfect. If you can, use day-old bread: it’s a little drier, so it absorbs the custard without getting soggy or falling apart. This small step makes a huge difference in the final texture of your French toast.

Step 2: Mix the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together the half-n-half (or heavy cream), eggs, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until well combined. For truly silky custard and even distribution of cinnamon, try using an immersion blender or a regular blender. This helps the spices uniformly mix in and minimizes any clumps.

Step 3: Soak the Bread

Dip each slice of bread into the custard, letting it soak for about 20 seconds per side. You want the bread fully saturated but not falling apart. Carefully let any excess custard drip off the bread before moving it to the pan. This soaking step is key for that signature, creamy interior of the Best French Toast Recipe.

Step 4: Heat and Butter the Pan

Set your skillet or griddle to medium-low heat. Add a generous knob of salted butter—don’t hold back! The butter ensures a golden-brown, crispy exterior that tastes just as good as it looks, locking in all those deep flavors.

Step 5: Cook Low and Slow

Place the soaked bread slices onto the skillet, making sure not to crowd the pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, adjusting the heat as needed. Cooking on lower heat allows the custard inside to set perfectly without burning the outside. If your toast is browning too quickly, simply lower the heat. Patience pays off here!

Step 6: Serve Hot

Once both sides are a rich golden color and the centers feel set, transfer the slices to a serving plate. Serve immediately to enjoy the ultimate flavor and texture of the Best French Toast Recipe at its peak.

How to Serve Best French Toast Recipe

Garnishes

Elevate every bite with a dusting of powdered sugar, a pat of salted butter, and a warm pour of real maple syrup. Fresh berries, sliced bananas, or a dollop of whipped cream are gorgeous and delicious extras for a brunch table spread.

Side Dishes

The Best French Toast Recipe pairs dreamily with crispy bacon, breakfast sausage, or a simple bowl of fresh fruit. If you’re feeling decadent, a side of creamy yogurt or a small cup of espresso rounds out the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking slices high with layers of fruit or whipped cream in between, or cut the toast into strips for dunking in a pot of chocolate or caramel sauce. Serving each slice on an individual board with little ramekins of toppings makes for a fun DIY breakfast bar!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let them cool completely before stacking them in an airtight container. They’ll keep well in the fridge for up to three days, perfect for busy mornings or a sweet snack.

Freezing

The Best French Toast Recipe freezes beautifully! Place cooled slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. This way, you can pull out individual pieces for a quick breakfast anytime.

Reheating

For best results, reheat French toast in a toaster oven or oven at 350°F until warm and crisp outside, about 8-10 minutes. You can also use a skillet over low heat. Microwave works in a pinch, but the toast will be softer than crisp.

FAQs

Why is day-old bread best for this recipe?

Day-old bread is slightly drier and sturdier, so it soaks up the custard without falling apart, giving you that classic texture found in the Best French Toast Recipe.

Can I use regular sandwich bread?

You can use it if needed, but thicker, richer loaves like challah or brioche truly make this the Best French Toast Recipe. Regular bread is often too soft and may create a mushier result.

Should the crusts be left on or removed?

Crusts add both structure and a bit of chewy texture, so I always leave them on for this recipe. If you prefer softer bites throughout, you can trim them off—it’s totally up to you!

Can I make the custard ahead of time?

Absolutely! The custard mixture can be whisked together and chilled in the refrigerator overnight. Just give it a quick stir before dipping your bread slices in the morning.

What’s the best way to keep French toast warm for a crowd?

Place cooked French toast on a baking sheet in a 250°F oven while you finish the rest. This keeps every slice perfectly warm and crispy for serving all at once.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re making a special weekend brunch or simply want to treat yourself, give this Best French Toast Recipe a try. With its custardy center, crispy edges, and delightful toppings, it just might become your new go-to breakfast tradition. Dig in and enjoy every single bite!

Best French Toast Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 9 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the ultimate comfort breakfast with this Best French Toast Recipe. Thick slices of Challah or Brioche bread are soaked in a rich custard mixture and cooked to golden perfection, resulting in a delicious morning treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread:

1 loaf Challah or Brioche Bread (cut into thick slices)

Custard Mixture:

2 cups Half-n-Half or Heavy Cream
4 large Eggs
1/4 cup Sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

Others:

Salted Butter (to cook in)

Instructions

Slice the Bread: Start by slicing challah or brioche bread into thick slices. Stale bread works best for soaking.
Prepare Custard Mixture: Whisk together cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until smooth. Consider using an immersion blender for thorough mixing.
Soak Bread: Dip each slice of bread in the custard mixture, ensuring both sides are fully soaked. Allow excess custard to drain off.
Cook: Cook French toast on medium-low heat, allowing the center to cook without over-browning the exterior.
Add Butter: Use butter generously in the skillet for a golden crust and added flavor.
Cook Each Side: Cook each side for 3-5 minutes, adjusting heat if necessary to avoid over-browning.
Serve: Serve immediately with powdered sugar, butter, and maple syrup.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of rum to the custard mixture.
Top with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream for a fruity twist.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast/Brunch
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: French