Description
Indulge in the luxurious combination of custardy French toast and a crunchy, caramelized sugar topping with this ultimate recipe. Perfect for a special breakfast or brunch, this dish will elevate your morning routine to a delightful experience.
Ingredients
- Brioche or challah bread, sliced into thick 1-inch slices
- Whole eggs
- Extra egg yolks
- Heavy cream
- Whole milk
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla bean paste or high-quality vanilla extract
- Salt
- Granulated sugar for caramelization
- Unsalted butter for cooking
Instructions
- Start by slicing your brioche or challah into thick, about 1-inch slices. If your bread isn't stale, lightly toast it in a low oven for 10-15 minutes to dry it out.
- In a wide, shallow dish, whisk together your whole eggs, egg yolks, heavy cream, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla bean paste (or extract), and a pinch of salt until well combined and smooth.
- Submerge your bread slices completely in the custard. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through. For deeper flavor, soak overnight in the refrigerator.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of butter, allowing it to melt and coat the surface.
- Carefully lift a soaked bread slice from the custard, letting any excess drip off. Place it gently onto the hot skillet, cooking 1-2 slices at a time.
- Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked French toast to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to keep warm in a low oven.
- Once all your French toast slices are cooked, arrange them on a heat-proof surface. Generously sprinkle about 1-2 teaspoons of granulated sugar over the top surface of each slice.
- Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it melts, bubbles, and turns a rich amber color. Allow the caramelized sugar to cool until it hardens into a crisp crust.
- Serve immediately after caramelization for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: For the best results, soak the bread for several hours or overnight. Use medium heat for cooking to avoid burning the outside while ensuring the inside cooks through. A kitchen torch is recommended for precise caramelization.