French Toast Recipe

Make the custard

In a shallow wide bowl or dish (large enough to dip a slice of bread), crack the 4 large eggs and whisk lightly until combined. Add 1 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is homogenous and slightly frothy. Taste and adjust sweetness or cinnamon if desired.

Soak time guidance

Let the custard sit for 2 minutes so flavors meld. For very stale or dense bread, let the custard cool for a minute and proceed with a slightly longer soak in the next step.

Prepare bread slices

Lay out 8 thick slices of bread. If bread is very fresh and soft, lightly day-old or toast for 10–15 minutes to dry slightly; this helps it absorb custard without falling apart.

Dip the bread

Working one slice at a time, submerge a slice into the custard for 10–15 seconds per side for slightly firm bread (longer, up to 30 seconds per side, for very stale or dense bread). Allow excess custard to drip off briefly before transferring to a plate while you heat the pan. Ensure both sides are evenly saturated but not falling apart.

Preheat skillet

Place a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon neutral oil and 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. When butter foams and just starts to brown slightly, reduce heat to medium-low to prevent burning.

Cook the slices

Add 2–3 soaked bread slices to the skillet without crowding. Cook 3–4 minutes on the first side until golden brown and set, then flip and cook 2–3 minutes more until the second side is golden and custard is cooked through. Adjust heat as needed to prevent over-browning. Add additional butter (about 1 tablespoon) for the next batch.

Keep warm

If cooking in batches, keep finished slices on a baking sheet in a single layer in a 200°F (95°C) oven to stay warm and crisp while you finish the rest.

Finish and serve

Plate 2 slices per serving (or your preferred portion). Dust with powdered sugar and top with fresh berries or sliced fruit if desired. Serve with maple syrup to taste. Optionally add a pat of butter on top.