Description

This Easy French Toast recipe delivers a beautifully custardy inside with a golden, buttery crust, perfect for a comforting brunch or breakfast. Using thick slices of Challah, Brioche, or Texas Toast soaked in a rich egg-milk mixture flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, and honey, then sautéed to a perfect golden brown and kept warm in the oven, this recipe creates a delightful balance of texture and flavor that pairs well with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

Scale

Custard Mixture

6 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1 cup whole milk
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp warm honey

Bread and Cooking

1 lb bread such as Challah, Brioche, or Texas Toast (about 8-10 slices, 3/4” thick)
3 Tbsp unsalted butter (for sautéing)

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Instructions

Prepare the bread: Slice your bread into about 3/4 inch thick slices and, if time allows, arrange them on a wire rack to dry out slightly for 1-2 hours. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 275˚F to keep the French toast warm later.
Make the custard mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the 6 eggs, 2 egg yolks, 1 cup milk, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon warm honey until the honey is fully dissolved and the mixture is well combined. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish that fits about 4 pieces of bread or as many as your skillet can handle.
Heat your skillet: Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat and melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to prepare for cooking the bread slices.
Soak and sauté bread: Dip 4 slices of bread into the egg custard one at a time, soaking each side for 30-40 seconds depending on thickness. Let the bread drip excess custard back into the dish, then place the slices carefully into the skillet. Sauté each side for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown.
Keep warm and finish: Transfer the cooked French toast slices to a baking sheet and place them in the preheated oven at 275˚F to keep warm. Repeat the dipping and sautéing process with remaining bread, adding butter to the skillet as needed. Once all slices are cooked, leave them in the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the custard center to fully set. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Drying the bread before soaking helps prevent sogginess and allows better custard absorption.
Using thick, sturdy bread like Challah or Brioche provides the best texture and flavor.
The warm honey blends smoothly in the custard, adding subtle sweetness without granulation.
Cooking over medium-low heat ensures even browning without burning the butter.
Keeping finished French toast warm in a low oven helps set the custard and keeps it ready to serve.
Adjust soaking time based on bread thickness to avoid oversaturation.