Brioche French Toast

Celebrate the weekend with the most delicious brioche French toast, that everyone is sure to love. Imagine an irresistibly fluffy and buttery brioche, dipped in a sweetly spiced vanilla custard, topped with a strawberry syrup, and freshly whipped cream!

Are French Toast And Eggy Bread The Same?

French toast and eggy bread are very similar and are sometimes used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference that sets them apart. French toast leans more towards the sweeter side, almost like a dessert, while eggy bread tends to be simpler and savoury in flavor.

Take, for instance, this brioche French toast recipe. It features an egg custard flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and brown sugar. On the other hand, traditional eggy bread sticks to a more straightforward mixture of egg, milk, and some salt. This makes it a nice option as part of a fry-up with mushrooms, baked beans, and turkey bacon…

I believe there’s a lot of potential when it comes to eggy bread. It can definitely be made more exciting as a breakfast option to be enjoyed on its own. So, if you also don’t like the idea of plain eggy bread, keep an eye out for an upcoming recipe that promises to spice things up!

Choosing The Perfect Bread

The best bread for your French toast really depends on what you’re craving and the occasion. For a regular breakfast, opt for a classic thick-cut, white sandwich bread. It holds up well when dipped into the egg custard and isn’t too indulgent.

However, when it comes to celebrating a special occasion like Mother’s Day, elevate your French toast with brioche bread. Its irresistibly fluffy texture and buttery richness take this dish to new heights!

Can French Toast Be Made Without Milk?

Yes, you can make it with double cream, also known as heavy cream. This creates a rich egg custard, perfect for use with sandwich bread. However, it might be too decadent with brioche.

If you’re lactose intolerant or prefer dairy-free alternatives, you can still enjoy this breakfast treat by substituting milk with almond or oat milk.

Brioche French Toast

An irresistibly fluffy and buttery brioche, dipped in a sweetly spiced vanilla custard. Serve with a dusting of icing sugar, a beautiful strawberry syrup, and some freshly whipped cream!

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Servings 8 slices

Ingredients

  

Strawberry Syrup

• 200 g strawberries
• 1-2 tbsp sugar

Brioche French Toast

• 400g brioche loaf
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp soft brown sugar or caster sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp butter
• 1 tsp vegetable oil

Toppings

• icing sugar optional
• freshly whipped cream optional

Instructions

 

Strawberry Syrup

• Wash and dry the strawberries, then cut them into halves (or slices if they're large).
• Place the strawberries in a bowl and mix in 1-2 tablespoons of sugar, depending on desired sweetness.
• Cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate to allow the strawberries to release their juices.

Brioche French Toast

• Slice the brioche loaf into 2.5 to 3cm thick slices and set aside.
• In a wide dish, crack the eggs and whisk with a fork until broken apart. Add vanilla extract, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and brown sugar to the eggs. Pour in the milk and whisk again.
• Heat a pan over low-medium, then add butter and oil. Spread it across the pan.
• Dip a slice of brioche into the egg custard for 2-3 seconds on each side, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the dipped bread onto the pan, it should sizzle. Cook for about 3 minutes or until golden brown, then flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes on the other side.
• Serve or keep warm by placing on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 160°C while you prepare the remaining slices.
• To assemble, dust with icing sugar. Then, place the strawberries with their juices on top. Feel free to add some freshly whipped cream and enjoy!

Notes

• The egg custard isn’t very sweet. So, if you won’t be serving this with icing sugar and strawberry syrup, feel free to add an extra tbsp of soft brown sugar.

Most Common Mistake

Soggy French toast is a breakfast disappointment no one wants to have. It’s also one of the easiest mistakes to make, particularly when using brioche bread.

To ensure your French toast turns out perfectly every time, follow these tips:

1. Cut the brioche loaf into thick slices, approximately 2.5 to 3cm wide. This thickness helps ensure you get a fluffy interior.
2. Dip the bread in the egg custard for only 2-3 seconds on each side. Then, allow any excess custard to drip off before transferring the slice to the frying pan.

By following these simple tips, you’ll achieve French toast with a golden exterior and fluffy interior, without any unpleasant soggyness!

Can French Toast Be Reheated?

Absolutely! Reheating brioche French toast is a breeze, and the results can be just as delightful as freshly made. Here’s how…

Place the refrigerated slices of French toast onto a non-stick baking tray, with some space between them. Then, bake for 10-15 minutes at 180°C until heated throughout. I’ve found that reheating in the oven can even give the brioche French toast a slightly crispier exterior, which makes it even better the next day!

So, if you happen to have any leftover egg custard mixture, don’t let it go to waste. Use it to whip up more French toast and store the leftovers in the fridge. Then, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast the next day with minimal effort.