Perfect French Toast (2024)

This French toast recipe makes some of the best French toast I’ve ever made. I love the rich and creamy custard, which has the perfect amount of vanilla to make it extra delicious.

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This classic French toast has been a weekend tradition in our family for years. While we’ve tried many French toast recipes, we’ve always come back to this one. It’s simple and so delicious.

My go-to French toast toppings are the classics like maple syrup, butter, and fresh fruit. But for something extra special, add whipped cream or whipped coconut cream (it’s SO good if you haven’t tried it!).

Key Ingredients

• Bread:The secret to the best French toast is thick and stale bread! Day-old bread soaks up the custard beautifully and gets the perfect texture, while fresh bread breaks down and becomes soggy. I love Brioche, French bread, rustic Italian bread, and Challah.
• Eggs:Help firm up the custard soaked into the bread, add flavor, and eggs add some richness from the fat in the yolks.
• Milk and cream:While you can make French toast with just one or the other, I love a mix of both. The French toast turns out creamy and flavorful without being too rich.
• Vanilla:I love the vanilla in this French toast recipe. It makes it taste and smell amazing.
• Butter:I cook my French toast in butter, and I think you should, too!

How to Make the Best French Toast

Making French toast is really easy. You’ll start by whisking eggs with the milk, cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. This mixture is the creamy custard that makes our French toast so delicious.

Now grab a wide baking dish, line up your thick-sliced bread, and pour over the custard. Move the bread around a few times to soak it all up. I soak my bread in the custard for a few minutes. Older bread usually soaks the custard up quicker than fresh bread (another reason to use older bread).

When the bread soaks up all the custard, place the thoroughly soaked bread into a pan with bubbling melted butter and cook until golden brown on both sides. (Just looking at that photo makes me want French toast again!)

Making French Toast for a Crowd

If you’re making French toast for a crowd, use this little trick we picked up from making waffles. Heat your oven to 200°F. Then, slide the cooked French toast into the oven to keep warm. They should be fine for quite some time without drying out. This method is a great way to reheat leftovers, as well. You might also enjoy our overnight baked French toast.

Storing French Toast

French toast lasts in an airtight container in the fridge for three days or can be frozen for up to three months. To freeze French toast, cool it on a wire rack and place it onto a baking sheet. Freeze until hard, then transfer to a freezer bag or container and freeze. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in the microwave or cook in a pan with a bit of melted butter.

More Weekend Breakfast Recipes

• Our Favorite Blueberry Pancakes
• Baked Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
• Easy Fluffy Pancakes
• How to Bake Bacon – my favorite for a crowd!
• Perfect Poached Eggs

Perfect French Toast

This is our family’s all-time favorite French toast recipe! It’s easy to make, and the vanilla cream custard is absolutely delicious. Use day-old bread (or slightly stale) for the best results. It’s sturdier and won’t crumble or fall apart in the custard or while cooking. French, Italian, brioche, or challah bread are all fantastic choices!

Makes 4 servings

Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size 2 slices / Calories 482 / Protein 16 g / Carbohydrate 52 g / Dietary Fiber 2 g / Total Sugars 5 g / Total Fat 23 g / Saturated Fat 12 g / Cholesterol 236 mg

AUTHOR: Adam and Joanne Gallagher