Easy Brioche French Toast Recipe
Buttery brioche bread makes the perfect base for French toast. In this easy recipe, brioche is quickly soaked in a simple egg custard and pan-cooked over medium-low heat until golden brown, this luxurious French toast is a decadent base for any of your favorite toppings.
Servings 4
Ingredients
- 8 slices brioche bread thick-cut
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup half-and-half or equal parts milk and cream
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon butter for cooking, more as needed
Instructions
- Prepare your bread. Slice and dry it out if it's not already stale! If your brioche is already sliced and slightly stale, great! You can move onto the next step. If not, cut some thick slices and bake them in the oven at 200 degrees for about 20 minutes. This will dry them out slightly without toasting them, giving them more structure so they hold up better when you soak them in custard.
- Mix your custard. In a shallow dish or bowl with a flat bottom, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and kosher salt.
- Prepare your pan. Preheat a large skillet or griddle pan over medium heat, then reduce to medium low once it's preheated. Melt butter in the pan.
- Soak and cook your brioche. Take each slice of brioche bread and lay it in the egg mixture for about two seconds on each side, long enough to fully permeate the bread but not so long that the bread starts wanting to fall apart. Remove the bread and let excess custard drip off. Place each slice in the preheated pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked throughout. Add more butter to the pan as needed for additional slices.
- Serve and enjoy! Store cooked slices in a single layer on a baking sheet in a warm 200 degree oven while you finish cooking the rest of the French toast. For an elegant presentation, cut two slices diagonally and arrange triangles overlapping on a plate. Top with fresh berries and whipped cream or with butter and a dusting of powdered sugar. Warm maple syrup is always a classic addition to homemade French toast!