French Toast

Recipe by PJ Hamel
49 Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars

When this recipe was tested, it was met with universal acclaim. "This is the best French toast I've ever tasted" sums up most of the comments. The difference between this and everyday, run-of-the-mill French toast? The quality of the ingredients. Start with a high-rising, sturdy, tasty bread; challah is a particularly good choice, as is English Muffin Toasting Bread. Slice it thick; we found 5/8" just about right. Bathe it in cream and eggs accented with nutmeg, vanilla, and a touch of rum. Sauté it gently in butter; keep it warm in a hot oven, then serve it, on warmed plates, with sifted sugar and maple syrup. Crispy on the outside, toothsome/tender within, this is the French toast of which dreams are made.

Prep
25 mins
Bake
6 to 8 mins
Total
31 mins
Yield
6 servings
Save Recipe
French Toast

Instructions

Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside. Place 1 tablespoon each butter and vegetable oil in a heavy skillet, and set it to heat over medium heat. Alternately, heat an electric griddle to 300°F.

  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, salt, nutmeg, sugar, rum, and vanilla. Stir until smooth but not foamy. Pour the batter into a shallow casserole dish large enough to hold two pieces of bread snugly.

  3. Place two pieces of bread in the pan; let them soak for about 30 seconds, then turn them over, and let soak for about 30 seconds on the other side. You want the bread to absorb some of the liquid, but not to become soggy.

  4. Place the bread in the skillet or on the griddle, and fry until both sides are golden brown; this should take about 2 minutes each side.

  5. Transfer the French toast to the baking sheet, and place it in the preheated oven. Allow it to remain in the oven while you cook the remaining pieces.

  6. When all the pieces are cooked, serve the French toast with soft butter and maple syrup. Or dust it with confectioners' sugar or cinnamon sugar.

Tips from our Bakers

  • Want to make a delicious holiday version of this recipe? Substitute eggnog for the 3/4 cup cream called for in the recipe.
  • Ordinarily you'd consider 2 to 3 pieces of French toast a single serving, but this particular recipe is so rich, and each slice of bread is big and thick enough, that we consider one piece a serving, particularly if you add fresh fruit and/or some breakfast ham, bacon or sausage.

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