The Best French Toast

This super simple french toast recipe is the BEST.  It is set apart from the others by its tasty custardy batter that doesn't get soggy.  You'll love it!


You'll notice that 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!

updated November 2024

To make:

1. 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.  
**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.**

2. While the bread is in the oven, melt 2 Tablespoons of the butter in a pie plate or similar dish.  Whisk in the sugar until dissolved.  Whisk in the flour until smooth and then whisk in the milk, egg, vanilla (if using), cinnamon (if using) and salt.  

3. Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat.  Add 1 Tablespoon of the remaining butter and heat until just beginning to brown.

4. Lightly whisk the egg mixture and soak 2 pieces of the bread for about 15 seconds per side.  Soaking for this shorter time also helps keep the bread from getting soggy.

5. 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.

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The Best French Toast
Serves 3-4

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

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 in a pie plate or similar dish.  Whisk in the sugar until dissolved.  Whisk in the flour until smooth and then whisk in the milk, egg, vanilla (if using), cinnamon (if using) and salt.

Heat a 12-inch 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.  (If the batter is too thick on the last slice or two, whisk in a Tablespoon or two of milk to loosen it up.)

Serve.



22 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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  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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  13. I did not like this recipe. The melted butter added to the milk became solid little nuggets of butter, and there was not enough batter for the 8 pieces of bread, it was dry and not very good.

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  14. Anonymous - I would recommend following the recipe for soaking time. It sounds like your bread may have been oversoaked if you ran out of batter. I've never heard of french toast turning out dry so I cannot help with any recommendation on that.

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