French Toast

In this take on the classic French Toast, we’re leaning into the art of texture play and flavor balance, elements that lie at the heart of the dish. The Versus Challenge here is twofold: achieving an exterior that’s beautifully crisp, paired with an interior that’s luxuriously custardy—almost like bread pudding in the middle of a toasty caramelized shell.

We’re enlisting the help of rich, thick-cut bread, such as Brioche or Challah, which can absorb our vanilla and spice-infused custard without turning to mush. The butter griddle (or cast iron) helps us achieve this, with the goal being a golden brown finish, crisp to the touch but yielding to a soft and pillowy center.

This french toast balances textures, and sweet and savory notes, and is sure to make your Sunday brunch or weeknight breakfast for dinner splurges that much better.

French Toast

Our French Toast recipe adheres to tradition while ensuring ease and perfection in every step. The end result is a symphony of textures, from the crisp edges to the creamy, almost pudding-like center, all imbued with a gentle sweetness.

Equipment

• Whisk
• Wide, shallow dish
• Non-stick skillet or griddle
• Spatula

Ingredients

Batter

• 8 slices of thick-cut Challah bread
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup of whole milk
• 1/2 cup White Sugar
• 1 Juice of Orange
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

Toppings

• Maple syrup for serving
• Powdered sugar for serving
• Fresh berries for serving (optional)

Instructions

• In a wide, shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, oragne, and nutmeg until well combined.
• Place a slice of bread into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for about 30 seconds on each side. This step is key in achieving that soft, custardy interior. Repeat with the remaining slices.
• Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt the butter.
• Add the soaked slices of bread to the skillet, cooking for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crisp. Be patient during this step to ensure a perfectly crispy exterior.
• Serve your French Toast warm with a generous drizzle of maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, and if you like, a scattering of fresh berries.

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: Diner, French

Keyword: French Toast