So you maybe you shouldn’t have had that 8th mango white claw last night? Maybe you shouldn’t be drinking white claws at all? But alas, you did, and now you’re hungover and need some sloppy bread to soak up all that flavored malt liquor that’s still sloshing around in your bowels. Cue.. classic French toast.

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“An oldie but a goodie. This classic French toast recipe is part of a very short list of, reasons to get out of bed on the weekend.”

-Emmanuel Macron

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CLASSIC FRENCH TOAST

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Classic French Toast Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for this classic French toast recipe.

• Bread: Lotta different options here. We use a classic French bread , which makes for smaller slices. Challah is also another great choice for classic French toast.

• Milk: Whole milk or whipping cream is what we use. However, you could use whatever milk substitute you like.

• Dairy: We like heavy whipping cream because I’m a glutton for punishment. However, you can use whole milk or any milk substitute. Go on you hippies, break out the oat milk!

• Spices: Gotta have that extra ground cinnamon and some nutmeg.

• Garnish: Warm Syrup, fresh fruit, and powdered sugar are all great options for topping off your classic French toast.

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Best Bread for Classic French Toast

If you can help it, don’t use pre sliced sandwich bread. It’s too skinny, it gets super soggy, and it just kinda sucks for making classic French toast.

Personally, I’m a sucker for staying on brand, so I use French bread, a baguette. I like smaller pieces and its just a hardy bread that can soak up a lot of the custardy goodness.

Here in Portland, Oregon we have a plethora of fantastic local bakeries. One of my favorites is Grand Central Bakery. They won’t do ya wrong.

Here’s a list of some other great options.

• Brioche: This enriched bread is made with butter and eggs, giving it a tender and fluffy texture. It’s perfect for classic French toast because it can hold up well to the egg mixture without getting too soggy.

• Sourdough: If we aren’t using a baguette, we are using Sourdough. Sourdough bread has a slightly tangy flavor and a dense, chewy texture. It also has a sturdy structure that can withstand the egg mixture without falling apart.

• Challah: This braided Jewish bread is another excellent choice. It’s made with eggs, which gives it a rich, buttery flavor and a soft, tender crumb.

• Ciabatta: This Italian bread has a chewy texture and a large, open crumb structure. It isn’t as traditional as the other breads on this list, but it works well.

Lastly, if the bread is a day or two old it helps maintain structure while soaking up maximum custardy yum yum. However, at the end of the day, don’t over think it.

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How to Make Classic French Toast

Follow these steps to make this classic French toast recipe.

Step 1: Wash your Toast

In a wide bowl mix the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cardamon and cinnamon together. Set aside 

Slice your bread and dip the pieces into the egg wash. Now let each side of the bread soak for 30 seconds or so. You want the bread to soak up as much of the egg wash as it can.

Step 2: Fry your Toast

In a nonstick skillet, melt half the butter over medium heat. Working in batches of two, dip the toast into the egg mixture and toss onto the skillet.

Next, fry each side 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown on each side. Add the rest of the butter and repeat.

Step 3: Top your Toast!

You did it! Now enjoy your classic French toast with butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar or fresh fruit.

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How to Make Classic French Toast Video

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Classic French Toast Toppings

Look I know that fact that you are even cooking right now is a win. But trust me, you’ve made it this far, go for the gold, top your classic French toast off with all the toppings.

Fresh fruit, maple syrup(duh), powder sugar, vanilla icing, or go wild!

In addition, you could also spice up a classic with breakfast cereal. Try our Cinnamon Toast Crunch French Toast. It’s Bonna be aparty! Bonaparte… Napoleon Bonaparte.. he was a famous french dude… Shut up just follow the recipe.

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Classic French Toast Leftovers?

Finally, I see some people asking if they can store leftover classic French toast. Sure, you could. However, you could also give the scraps to your dog, climb back in bed, and act like you didn’t just inhale 6000 calories before noon.

No, don’t save your French toast leftovers. They’ll be a soggy mess by the time you wake from your food coma.

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Cinnamon Toast Crunch French Toast FAQ’s

Here are some frequently asked questions about French toast, along with their answers:

Can classic French toast be made vegan?

Sure, you can make it vegan. Just use a plant-based milk and a flax egg (a mixture of ground flaxseed and water) in place of the regular milk and eggs. You can also use a vegan bread, such as a sprouted grain bread or a gluten-free bread.

Can Classic French Toast be made gluten-free?

Why not, it’s a good time to be gluten-free if you have to be. To make this recipe gluten-free use a gluten-free bread and make sure that any other ingredients you use, such as the milk and eggs, are also gluten-free.

Can Classic French Toast be made in advance?

Just pour a bowl of the cereal if you don’t have time to make breakfast. This dish is definitly best served fresh, when the bread is still crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and the flavors are at their peak. Furthermore, when you reheat French toast, it can become soggy and lose some of its flavor.

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French Toast History

Who doesn’t want a little history with their breakfast?! 

According to food historian Karen Hess, the earliest known recipe for French toast can be found in the “Apicius,” a collection of Roman recipes from the 4th or 5th century. 

The recipe, called “pan dulcis,” called for slices of bread to be soaked in milk and fried in oil or butter. Read more about it here.

The dish made its way to France in the Middle Ages, where it was called “pain perdu,” or “lost bread.” The name referred to the fact that the dish was a way to use up stale bread that might otherwise be thrown away. Furthermore, it was a popular breakfast food among the poor, as it was a cheap and easy way to make a filling meal.

French toast became popular in the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, where it was known as “German toast.” It was often served at hotels and boarding houses as a cheap and filling breakfast option.

Furthermore, today French toast is enjoyed by people all around the world. It has evolved from its humble beginnings as a way to use up stale bread into a delicious and versatile breakfast food that can be made with a variety of breads and toppings. Whether you prefer it sweet or savory, there’s a French toast recipe out there for you.

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