French Toast

This exceptional French toast recipe is versatile and suitable for various bread varieties, including white, whole wheat, brioche, cinnamon-raisin, Italian, or French. It is exceptionally delightful when served hot, accompanied by butter and maple syrup.

French toast’s ideal bread

The most suitable bread options for preparing French toast include brioche, sourdough, French bread, and challah. These selections possess a desirable density and structural integrity, ensuring they can withstand complete saturation in a moist, egg-based custard without disintegration. In cases of limited options, thick-sliced white bread can serve as a viable alternative.

Conventional French toast recipes traditionally call for day-old bread slices, as they exhibit enhanced receptivity to the egg-infused mixture compared to their freshly baked counterparts. This approach not only optimizes ingredient absorption but also minimizes food waste, presenting a mutually advantageous solution. Nevertheless, it is important to note that employing entirely fresh bread remains a feasible and acceptable option when circumstances dictate its use.

French toast: Is it actually French?

Contrary to common belief, French toast, known as “pain perdu” in French, does not originate from France. Anecdotal accounts suggest that this delectable breakfast item was attributed to Joseph French, a resident of the United States, who purportedly crafted it in the year 1724 and christened it with his own name. Nevertheless, historical accuracy challenges this narrative, as evidence suggests that bread soaked in a mixture of milk and eggs underwent frying in the kitchens of Ancient Rome, as documented in early culinary recipes.