Introduction
Pansy’s Homemade French Toast is golden and buttery on the outside with a soft, tender center flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, and just a touch of sweetness. Made with thick slices of bread and a rich homemade custard, this easy breakfast is perfect for relaxed mornings, weekend brunch, or a special family breakfast.
Ingredients
- 8 thick slices brioche, challah, or Texas toast
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more as needed for cooking
Optional Toppings
- Softened butter
- Warm maple syrup
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh strawberries
- Fresh blueberries
- Sliced bananas
- Whipped cream
- Chopped pecans
Directions
- In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a small amount of butter and allow it to melt.
- Dip one slice of bread into the egg mixture, coating both sides. Allow the bread to soak for a few seconds, but don’t leave it in the mixture so long that it becomes soggy.
- Lift the bread from the custard and allow the excess mixture to drip back into the bowl.
- Place the coated bread onto the warm skillet or griddle.
- Cook for about 2–3 minutes per side, or until the French toast is golden brown on the outside and cooked through in the center.
- Repeat with the remaining slices, adding more butter to the skillet as needed.
- Transfer the finished French toast to a warm plate while you cook the remaining pieces.
- Stack or arrange the French toast on serving plates.
- Top with butter, warm maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh fruit, or your favorite toppings and serve immediately.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: About 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 8 slices
Pansy’s Tips
Thick bread works best for homemade French toast because it absorbs the custard without falling apart. Brioche gives the French toast a rich, buttery flavor, while Texas toast is a good choice for a more traditional homemade breakfast.
Don’t soak the bread too long. You want the custard to flavor the inside without making the bread overly wet or difficult to cook.
Cook the French toast over medium heat. If the skillet is too hot, the outside can brown before the custard in the center has finished cooking.
Add a little fresh butter between batches to keep that beautiful golden color and buttery flavor.
For a pretty Pansy’s Kitchen presentation, dust the finished French toast lightly with powdered sugar, add strawberries and blueberries, and drizzle warm maple syrup over the top just before serving.
Serving & Storage
Serve Pansy’s Homemade French Toast warm with butter and maple syrup. Fresh berries, sliced bananas, powdered sugar, whipped cream, chopped pecans, bacon, sausage, or eggs can turn it into a complete breakfast or brunch.
Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat it in a skillet, toaster oven, air fryer, or microwave until thoroughly heated.
For longer storage, allow the French toast to cool completely, place parchment paper between the slices, and freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months.