French Toast Recipe

Name: Das Dutch Haus Restaurants French Toast Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 4 large eggs; 1 cups whole milk; 0.25 cups heavy cream (optional — for richer custard); 2 tbs granulated sugar; 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon; 0.125 tsp kosher salt; 8 slices thick-sliced bread (brioche, challah, or Texas toast), about 3/4–1 inch thick; 3 tbs unsalted butter (for frying); 1 tsp neutral oil (optional, for frying); 0.5 cups maple syrup; 2 tsp powdered sugar (optional, for dusting); 1 cups fresh berries or sliced fruit (optional)

Inspired by Das Dutch Haus Restaurant

Time30m

Serves4

Make French Toast Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Custard

4 Large eggs

1 cups whole milk

1/4 cups heavy cream (optional — for richer custard)

2 tbs granulated sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp kosher salt

Bread & Toppings

8 slices thick-sliced bread (brioche, challah, or Texas toast), about 3/4–1 inch thick

3 tbs unsalted butter (for frying)

1 tsp neutral oil (optional, for frying)

1/2 cups maple syrup

2 tsp powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

1 cups fresh berries or sliced fruit (optional)

Method

Custard

Whisk custard

In a wide, shallow bowl or a rimmed baking dish large enough to hold a slice of bread flat, crack in the eggs and whisk until smooth. Add the milk, heavy cream (if using), granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Whisk thoroughly until sugar is mostly dissolved and mixture is homogenous.

Strain (optional)

For an extra-smooth custard, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another shallow dish to remove any chalaza or large pieces of cinnamon. This step is optional but helps even coating.

Soak & Prep

Preheat pan

Place a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 teaspoon of neutral oil (if using) to the pan and let the butter melt and foam; this combination helps prevent burning.

Soak bread

Working 2–3 slices at a time, immerse a slice of bread in the custard for 20–30 seconds per side, allowing it to absorb liquid but not become soggy. For very fresh bread, soak on each side about 30 seconds; for slightly stale bread, you can increase soak time to 40–60 seconds. Let excess custard drip back into the dish before transferring to the pan.

Cook

Fry

Once the pan is shimmering and the butter foams, place the soaked slices in a single layer without crowding. Cook 2½–4 minutes per side over medium heat, until deep golden brown and slightly crisp on the edges. Flip once using a spatula. Add remaining butter as needed between batches.

Keep warm

If making multiple batches, keep finished slices warm on a baking sheet set in a 200°F (95°C) oven while you finish cooking the rest.

Finish & Serve

Plate and garnish

Arrange French toast slices on plates. Dust lightly with powdered sugar if desired, top with fresh berries or sliced fruit, and serve with warm maple syrup on the side or drizzled on top.

Serving suggestion

Serve immediately while warm. Optionally accompany with whipped cream, toasted nuts, or a smear of jam for variation.