Easy French Toast

This classic French Toast Recipe brings fresh brioche bread, eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves together for the ultimate edible pillows of pure comfort drizzled with warm vanilla maple syrup.  I love to prepare this dish on long leisurely Sundays along with sausage patties and fresh fruit.  The family loves it and always sings my praises when I prepare it for them.

Why this recipe works!

• Friends and family just love this delectable French Toast with warm vanilla maple syrup.  It is comfort food at its very best.
• This quick and easy recipe can be prepared in less than 15 minutes in a large skillet making it easy to prepare for large families.
• It is full of wholesome ingredients like fresh bread, eggs and milk. Just like the recipes grandma used to make straight off the farm.

Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day hands down!  I am sure that my husband would agree entirely.  Are you and your family big breakfast eaters?  If so then you need to check out some of my other breakfast posts. This recipe, Breakfast Muffins, Fried Egg Sandwich, and Classic Denver Omelette are just a few of our favorites.

How to make Easy French Toast

Start by whisking together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla in a wide bowl.  Now heat a little oil and melt a little butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Then simply dip a thick bread slice right in the batter coating both sides.  Next add the slice to the hot frying pan.  Continue coating the bread and adding it to the pan until the pan is full. Cook each slice until it is golden brown on each side.  If desired sprinkle each side of bread with a little extra cinnamon before cooking.  For best results serve promptly with warm maple syrup whisked with a little vanilla extract.

French Toast Ingredients

• Bread – a good sturdy unsliced loaf with a dense crumb.  My two favorites are challah and brioche.
• Eggs – warmed to room temperature.
• Cinnamon – just enough to really enhance the warmth and flavor.
• Nutmeg – just a touch because it is delicious and warm but too much can be overwhelming.
• Ground cloves – just a pinch for that awesome flavor and aroma.
• Vanilla extract – to add a little depth and creaminess to the custard.
• Canola oil – for browning and cooking.
• Butter – because everything tastes better cooked with butter.
• Maple syrup – for drenching of course. Is there any better way to eat it?
• Toppings – fresh berries, jam, powdered sugar, or honey

Recipe Notes and Helpful Tips

• Always start with unsliced bread.  That way you can cut nice thick slices.  Don’t worry if they are not all the exact same size as everyone will be so consumed with deliciousness that they will not even notice.
• The best bread for making French Toast is challah and brioche.  Both are good sturdy eggy breads making them perfect for soaking up the custard and not collapsing.
• Whisk the custard until everything is incorporated and whisk several times while making the toast.  You don’t want a big blob of egg white on your perfectly browned slices.
• Dunk the bread in the egg custard mixture for about 10-15 seconds.
• Make sure the pan is hot enough before putting in each slice so that custard does not spread out making what is referred to as a foot at the base of your toast.
• Use pure vanilla extract.  It is well worth every penny.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. 

How to freeze French Toast

Freeze by placing the French toast on a baking sheet in a single layer without touching. Place it on a level spot in the freezer until fully frozen. This process is known as flash freezing and it allows you to take out as many pieces of French toast as you would like to reheat.

Then transfer the frozen slices to a zipper freezer bag or sturdy freezer container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks.  To reheat place the frozen slices on a baking sheet. Cover with aluminum foil and place in a 375-degree oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat the frozen slices in a toaster oven or toaster. 

More sweet breakfast recipes you will love!

Best French Toast Recipe

This delectable family favorite easy French Toast recipe comes together in less than fifteen minutes making it the ideal comfort food breakfast.

5 from 26 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: French

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 pieces

Calories: 171kcal

Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

• 8 thick slices of bread see notes
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
• Pinch ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup warm maple syrup
• Canola oil
• Butter

Instructions

• Whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in a wide bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil and melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Dip 1 slice bread in the egg mixture. Coat both sides of the bread.  Add the slice to the hot pan. Continue dipping more slices of bread and adding to the pan until the pan is full. If desired sprinkle each side of bread with a little extra cinnamon before cooking.
• Cook until is golden brown on the bottom. Then flip and cook until golden brown on the other side. Whisk warmed maple syrup with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.  For best results serve promptly.

Notes

• Always start with unsliced bread.  That way you can cut nice thick slices.  Don't worry if they are not all the exact same size as everyone will be so enamored that they will not even notice.
• My two favorite loaves for making this recipe are challah and brioche.  Both are good sturdy eggy breads making them perfect for soaking up the custard and not collapsing.
• Whisk the custard until everything is incorporated and whisk several times while making the toast.  You don't want a big blob of egg white on your perfectly browned slices.
• Dunk the bread in the egg mixture for about 10-15 seconds.
• Make sure the pan is hot enough before putting in each slice so that custard does not spread out making what is referred to as a foot at the base of your toast.
• Use pure vanilla extract.  It is well worth every penny.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 169mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 132IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1mg

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