Brioche French Toast: A Breakfast Classic with a Luxurious Twist

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Brioche French Toast, a breakfast classic, can transform ordinary mornings into extraordinary ones. Imagine slices of buttery, slightly sweet brioche bread dipped in a rich custard mixture. Then, cooked to perfection until golden brown and crispy on the outside while retaining a lusciously soft interior.

Stacked Sliced of French Toast on a white plate with sliced strawberries and blueberries. — French Toast Recipe with Brioche Sandwich Bread

Brioche French Toast is a delightful twist on the classic French toast recipe, elevating the breakfast or brunch experience to a whole new level of indulgence. What sets it apart is the use of brioche bread, a rich and buttery French bread known for its tender crumb and slightly sweet flavor. The brioche bread slices are dipped into a luscious mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and aromatic vanilla extract, resulting in a custardy and flavorful coating.

Whether enjoyed as a leisurely weekend breakfast or a special occasion brunch, Brioche French Toast is a luxurious and satisfying dish that never fails to impress.

Why make this French toast?

Choice of Bread: It starts with using brioche bread, which is famous for its rich, buttery flavor and tender crumb. This choice of bread sets it apart from traditional French toast recipes.
Custardy Interior: The egg mixture is carefully balanced to ensure a custardy interior without making the toast overly soggy. This results in a perfect texture that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Flavor Enhancements: The recipe includes vanilla extract and optional ground cinnamon, adding layers of flavor to the dish. These ingredients elevate the taste and aroma of the French toast.
Presentation: The recipe emphasizes the importance of presentation, encouraging you to garnish and serve your Brioche French Toast in an appealing manner.

Stack on French Toast on a white plate with strawberries and blueberries. — French Toast Recipe with Brioche Sandwich Bread

Ingredients and substitutes

Bread – Today, I am using a brioche sandwich bread cut into thick slices. But you can also use challah, a white sandwich loaf, or any other sandwich bread you like.
Eggs make the base for the custard mixture. For dietary restrictions, you can also use applesauce, mashed bananas, or yogurt as egg substitutes (about 1/4 cup per egg).
Whole milk is the way to go to make a rich custard. However, you can also use 2%, 1%, skim milk, or non-dairy options like almond, soy, or oat milk.
Butter adds a wonderful flavor to these toasts, but you can also use vegetables, canola oil, or coconut oil as substitutes for a dairy-free or vegan version.
Traditionally, vanilla extract, almond extract, or other flavored extracts can be used.
Optional spices like nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice can also be used, or you can omit them if desired.
Lastly, for a sweet topping, swap out maple syrup for alternatives like honey, agave nectar, or fruit syrups as sweeteners.

Ingredients for making Brioche French Toast. — Ingredients: French Toast with Brioche Sandwich Recipe.

Step-by-step: Brioche French Toast

Custard – In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them together until well beaten. Next, add the whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon (if using), and salt to the beaten eggs. Whisk the mixture until all the ingredients are well combined.

Progress Pictures Collage for French Toast. — Custard French Toast Recipe with Brioche Sandwich Bread

Pan – Place a large non-stick skillet or frying pan on the stove over medium heat. Add one tablespoon of butter to the pan and let it melt, coating the entire surface evenly.
Soak – While the butter is melting, arrange the slices of sandwich bread on a large plate or a baking sheet. Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Allow any excess mixture to drip back into the bowl.

Progress Pictures Collage French Toast. — French Toast Recipe with Brioche Sandwich Bread

Cook – Place the soaked bread slices into the hot skillet. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your pan. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Add more butter to the pan as needed between batches to prevent sticking.
Pro tip – Transfer the cooked French toast slices to a serving platter and keep them warm in a 200°F (93°C) oven while you cook the remaining slices.
Serve – Once all the French toast slices are cooked, serve them hot. You can top them with maple syrup, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar for added flavor and sweetness.

French Toast with Brioche Sandwich Recipe.

Tips for Success

Choose the Right Bread: Start with high-quality brioche bread. Its rich, buttery texture is what makes this French toast so special.
Slice Thickness: Cut the brioche into slices that are around 1/2 to 1 inch thick. Thicker slices will absorb the egg mixture without becoming too soggy.
Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh eggs and whole milk for the custard mixture. Quality ingredients make a difference in the final flavor and texture.
Flavor Enhancements: Add a touch of vanilla extract and a pinch of ground cinnamon to the egg mixture for extra flavor. Nutmeg or a dash of almond extract can also be delightful.
Don’t Over-Soak: Avoid soaking the bread slices in the egg mixture for too long. A quick dip (about 15-20 seconds per side) is sufficient to coat the bread without making it overly soggy.
Preheat the Griddle or Skillet: Ensure your cooking surface is preheated to medium-low heat before adding the French toast. This helps achieve even cooking and a golden-brown crust.
Butter or Cooking Spray: Use butter or a non-stick cooking spray to grease the skillet or griddle. It prevents sticking and imparts a delicious buttery flavor.
Patience is Key: Cook the French toast on each side until it’s golden brown and crispy, typically 2-3 minutes per side. Avoid rushing the process; the slower cooking ensures a custardy interior.
Keep Warm: If you’re cooking multiple batches, keep the finished slices warm in a 200°F (93°C) oven on a baking sheet while you finish cooking the rest.
Toppings and Garnishes: Get creative with toppings! Serve with maple syrup, fresh fruit, powdered sugar, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of your favorite sauce to enhance the flavor and presentation.
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors. Add a layer of cream cheese, Nutella, or fruit preserves between slices for extra indulgence.
Presentation: Presentation matters. Arrange your Brioche French Toast neatly on a plate, dust with powdered sugar, and add fresh herbs or berries for an appealing visual.

Recipe for Pumpkin Waffles

Best Homemade French Toast

Heart French Toast

Frequently asked questions

What is French toast?

French toast is also called eggy bread because it is dipped in a custard mixture made with milk and eggs, then cooked on a hot skillet with lots of butter. Usually served for breakfast, topped with maple syrup, honey, macerated fruits, whipped cream, etc.

What is Brioche French Toast?

Brioche French Toast is a delicious breakfast or brunch dish made by dipping slices of brioche bread into a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and flavorings, then frying them until golden brown. It’s known for its rich and buttery flavor.

Can I use regular bread instead of brioche for French toast?

Yes, you can use regular bread like white, whole wheat, or sourdough to make French toast. However, brioche bread’s buttery and slightly sweet characteristics add a unique and luxurious touch to the dish.

How do I make Brioche French Toast vegan?

To make vegan Brioche French Toast, substitute regular eggs and milk with plant-based alternatives like almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. You can also use a vegan egg replacer or mashed bananas as a binding agent.

Can I make Brioche French Toast ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare Brioche French Toast ahead of time. After cooking, let it cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or toaster when ready to serve.

What are some common toppings for Brioche French Toast?

Common toppings include maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries, whipped cream, sliced bananas, caramel sauce, and chopped nuts. You can get creative with your choice of toppings.

Can I freeze Brioche French Toast?

Yes, you can freeze Brioche French Toast. Place cooked and cooled slices on a baking sheet in a single layer, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container with layers of parchment paper in between. Reheat in the oven or toaster when needed.

How long can you keep French toast?

Well, personally, I like to serve these immediately. You can save any leftovers in the fridge and reheate them in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds.

What bread is best for French toast?

Today, we are using brioche because it is buttery and rich, so it makes amazing French toast. But any sandwich-style of bread would work. You can use challah, brioche, brown sandwich bread, or white sandwich bread. As long as it is flat and can be cooked, you can use it.

Veena Azmanov