The Best French Toast


My husband has told me many times, he is NOT a fan of french toast.  I love french toast.  Hmmm.....this, of course, posed a predicament on mornings where I though french toast would be the perfect breakfast.  And he did not.

So, I would make him something like breakfast burritos and french toast for myself.  Even when I discovered this amazing recipe and wanted so bad for him to try it, nope, he would prefer something else he said.  Then finally one day I convinced him to try a bite.  He liked it.  And now, he actually asks for french toast for breakfast.  Hooray!!

The reason he didn't think he liked french toast was because it was often soggy.  This recipe is not.  This recipe has flour added to the egg mixture which helps to crisp the exterior.  Additionally, I've found soaking bread that has been dried out slightly for only a few seconds in the egg mixture makes a perfectly non-soggy piece of french toast.

**I put the bread slices in the oven for a few minutes while I bake a side of bacon in the oven. {lay bacon on a foil-lined cookie sheet and bake in a 400 degree Fahrenheit preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.}  Watch the bread closely and only allow to start drying out.  Remove from the oven and set aside.**


The Best French Toast
source:  slightly adapted from a recipe by America's Test Kitchen
Serves 3-4

8 slices high-quality white sandwich bread or Italian loaf bread
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 cup milk
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.  Arrange the bread on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and bake until slightly dried, about 15 minutes.  **see note above about using an already warmed oven**

While the bread is in the oven, melt 2 Tablespoons of the butter and whisk it together with the milk, egg, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl.  Slowly whisk in the flour until smooth.  Pour into a large, shallow dish {I use a pyrex pie plate}.

Heat a 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add 1 Tablespoon of the remaining butter and heat until just beginning to brown.  Lightly whisk the egg mixture and soak 2 pieces of the bread for about 15 seconds per side.  Remove the bread from the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip back into the dish, then add to the heated skillet.  Cook until golden brown on both sides, approx. 2 1/2 minutes per side.  Repeat with remaining butter and bread.

Serve.



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20 comments

  1. Oh my stars, that looks good. You sure wouldn't have to convince me to try it!

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  2. Yummy! I too dislike soft centers that sometimes comes with French toast. Sounds like this is worth a try.

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  3. This was our breakfast this fine Sunday morning! And it was perfect, just as you described (my only problem is trying to learn to use an electric stovetop, here at our new house, after always having gas at our other houses, I am having an awful time!). And my husband liked it, he also wouldn't eat French Toast until he tried this! Thanks for the recipe!

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  4. Absolutely the best French toast that I’ve had!! I used Trader Joe’s Brioche thick sliced bread.
    Thanks for posting

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  5. Gypsyelves and Tim - I'm sooo happy you liked this recipe! It's our absolute favorite way of making it. Thank you for your comments!

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  6. So, so similar to the recipe I use from America’s Test Kitchen. Blows those eggy heavy recipes away.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous - yes, that's where the original recipe came from (as noted below the title). It's excellent, isn't it?

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  7. I just finished your french toast, and I can honestly say it was absolutely heavenly. No soggy bread, firm texture on the outside, just right on the inside (fully cooks in the middle) and not too sweet. Perfect in every way! Thank you!

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  8. I love this French Toast! I sometimes add orange zest to the egg batter. Makes a nice flavor pop!

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    Replies
    1. Hooray! Orange zest sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing that!

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  9. Our cashier at the grocery store one day suggested we add a little Italian Sweet cream coffee creamer to our French toast batter. OMGoodness was it delicious!

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  10. I‘ve been making french toast similar to this for years. But I do one thing
    differently. (i don’t measure anything) Instead of milk, I use french vanilla flavored coffee creamer. I also usually omit te cinnamon. Delish!

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    Replies
    1. I've had other commenters say the same thing. Sounds great!

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  11. I just made this and it is awesome!

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  12. Try it with buttermilk or half and half …yummy, I also add a little sugar to the milk

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