If I have a choice, I usually choose a Belgian waffle or Buttermilk pancakes over French toast. But when I have leftover French bread sitting on the counter, I’m all over making French toast. You know how I love Cooks Illustrated. In the Jan/Feb 2009 issue, they thoroughly researched and conquered the art of making French Toast. btw- Here’s my plug for Cooks. Whether you are a seasoned (no pun intended) cook, or a beginner, Cooks is a great resource. No ads, just pure recipes, and helpful cooking info. The recipes almost always include the chemistry behind why for example, it is better to dry bread in the oven vs. leaving it out on the counter when making French toast:
French Toast 101
Ingredients
- 8 large slices hearty white sandwich bread or good quality challah bread
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk *warmed
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted, plus 2 tablespoons for cooking
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoons vanilla extract
Instructions
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Adjust the oven to middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Place bread on wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet. Bake bread until almost dry throughout. Center should remain slightly moist, about 16 minutes, flipping slices halfway through cooking. Remove bread from rack and let cool 5 minutes. Return baking sheet with wire rack to oven and reduce temperature to 200 degrees.
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Whisk milk, yolks, sugar, cinnamon, 2 tablespoons melted butter, salt, and vanilla in a large bowl until well blended. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking pan.
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Soak bread in milk mixture until saturated but not falling apart. About 20 seconds per side. Using a firm slotted spatula, pick up bread slice and allow excess milk mixture to drip off, repeat with remaining slices. Place soaked bread on another baking sheet or platter.
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Heat 1/2 tablespoon butter in a 12 inch skillet over medium low heat. When foaming subsides, use slotted spatula to transfer 2 soaked slices to skillet or griddle and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until second side is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes longer. If toast is cooking too quickly, reduce temperature slightly. Transfer to baking sheet in oven. Wipe off skillet with paper towel. Repeat until all bread slices are cooked. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
-*Warming the milk helps the milk and melted butter to mix together without the melted butter solidifying in cold milk.
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"…or good quality challah?"
Ya, how will I know if my challah is a good enough quality? I am going to try this recipe, we all love french toast.
ok girls. I will post a GOOD QUALITY challah. Good quality = not from the grocery store. 🙂
My challah struggles sometimes and if it does, there is NO WAY I am using it for French Toast. No way.
This french toast is so delicious! I made it using day old “Diane’s No Fail French Bread” (my favorite bread recipe from A Bountiful Kitchen) Another winner!! Thanks so much 🙂
Lainie,
French toast made with leftover No Fail French Bread is THE BEST! Im so glad you had some leftover to try this!
Thanks for your review and thank you for reading ABK,
XO
Si