Description
This classic Strawberry French Toast recipe features thick slices of brioche or French bread soaked in a rich custard batter, pan-fried to golden perfection, and served with a luscious homemade strawberry sauce. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch, it combines the sweet flavors of vanilla and cinnamon with a tender, fluffy texture sure to delight everyone at the table.
Ingredients
For the French Toast
- 1 loaf bread (brioche is best, or French bread)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter (divided, 2 Tablespoons melted for batter, remaining for cooking)
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
For Serving
- 1 batch strawberry sauce
- Powdered sugar (optional)
- Maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 200°F to warm cooked French toast and dry the bread later.
- Slice the Bread: Cut your loaf into slices approximately ¾ to 1 inch thick.
- Dry the Bread: Lay the bread slices on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes to slightly dry them out. Remove from oven once done.
- Prepare Warming Station: Leave the oven on and place a baking sheet with a cooling rack inside to keep cooked toast warm and crisp as you finish cooking.
- Make Custard Batter: In a large shallow dish, whisk together 2 tablespoons melted butter, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
- Add Flour: Whisk in the flour thoroughly until the batter is well combined and smooth.
- Heat Skillet: Preheat a large nonstick skillet on medium heat on the stovetop.
- Soak Bread: Dip two slices of bread into the custard batter, soaking each side for about 30 seconds to absorb the mixture well.
- Cook Toast: Add about ½ tablespoon butter to the skillet and melt. Place the soaked bread in the skillet and cook for 2 to 2.5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Keep Warm: Transfer cooked toast to the warming rack inside the oven or plate immediately to keep warm.
- Repeat & Serve: Continue soaking and cooking remaining bread slices. Serve warm with the prepared strawberry sauce, and optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with maple syrup.
Notes
- Brioche bread is preferred for its tenderness and flavor, but French bread also works well.
- Drying the bread slightly in the oven helps it absorb the custard better for fluffier French toast.
- Ensure the skillet is at the right temperature—medium heat—to allow even cooking without burning.
- To keep French toast warm and crisp, use the oven warming station with a cooling rack for air circulation.
- The strawberry sauce complements the toast perfectly but syrup or powdered sugar can be used instead or alongside.
