Classic French Toast
Classic French Toast can be one of the most delicious and easy breakfast recipes when you use the right bread and egg mixture. I’ll show you how to make it perfect! Add some maple syrup and a pat of butter and this will be your favorite French toast recipe!
Do you ever wonder why French toast is called French toast? Was it invented by the French? The answer might surprise you. It’s really not a French-invented recipe at all. Legend has it that a man by the name of Joseph French invented it back in 1724. However, others beg to differ, saying that it originated way before then. No matter when and where it originated, it graces many a breakfast plate today, and in various versions.
Are you a lover or hater of French toast? If the only French toast you’ve ever eaten was made with thin slices of white sandwich bread, I can see why you might not be its biggest fan.
Ingredients
See why this recipe is so flavorful…
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups half & half, milk, or the two mixed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 10 slices of thick-sliced bread, (3/4 to 1-inch thick)*
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Making the French toast
- In a shallow dish, (big enough for dipping the bread in), whisk the eggs until well broken up. Add the half & half or milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
- Preheat a griddle to 350 degrees or a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and brush it over the bottom as it melts. Allow the butter to start to slightly sizzle before adding the bread.
- Dip the bread slices into the egg mixture for about 5 seconds on each side and immediately transfer them to the hot griddle or skillet. Flip the bread slices over after they are golden brown on the bottoms, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Continue to cook until the second side is golden brown.
I made this recipe using bread I made from my Brioche Bread recipe. This bread recipe makes two loaves. I freezes beautifully and I keep a loaf in my freezer just for French toast.
TIPS
- Use the right bread. Use a sturdy bread that will soak up and hold lots of egg mixture without falling apart. Brioche and Challah bread are both great for making French toast. If you can’t find them, (although they’re available at most grocery stores), use Texas toast bread.
- Don’t soak the bread for more than a few seconds on each side. If you try to soak up more egg mixture than the bread can absorb, you’ll end up with a fried egg on bread.
- Make sure your griddle/skillet and the butter on the griddle/skillet are hot before dipping and placing the bread on it.
- If using an unsliced loaf of bread, make sure to slice the bread thick enough. Cut the slices at least 1/2 inch thick…I prefer 3/4 inch thick.
- Use good ingredients in the egg mixture. See my recipe below. Don’t just leave it to eggs and milk. You can add SO much more flavor to that egg mixture.
More breakfast recipes you might like…
Sweet Blueberry Biscuits with Lemon Glaze
Buttermilk Butter Dip Biscuits
Soft & Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits
Overnight French Toast Casserole
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PrintClassic French Toast
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 5–2pc. servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Classic French Toast is so flavorful from warm spices, cream, and vanilla. It will become your favorite French toast for breakfast.
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups half & half, milk, or mixed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 10 slices of thick-sliced bread, (3/4 to 1-inch thick)*
- 4 to 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, for buttering griddle or skillet
- Maple syrup and butter for serving
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, (big enough for dipping the bread in), whisk the eggs until well broken up. Add the half & half or milk, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
- Preheat a griddle to 350 degrees or a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and brush it over the bottom as it melts. Allow the butter to start to slightly sizzle before adding the bread.
- Dip the bread slices into the egg mixture for about 5 seconds on each side and immediately transfer them to the hot griddle or skillet. Flip the bread slices over after they are golden brown on the bottoms, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Continue to cook until the second side is golden brown.
Notes
- *The best bread for making French toast is Brioche or Challah. I’ve also used thick-cut Texas toast bread when I don’t have the other two.