Best Festive French Toast Recipes

CLASSIC FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Lay the bread slices in one layer (it's OK if they overlap a little) on a baking sheet. Bake the slices (to dry them out a little) for 6 minutes, then flip and bake for 6 minutes more. Set aside to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 200 degrees F.
• Whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and salt in a large casserole dish.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low to medium heat. Place 2 slices of bread in the egg mixture. Let the bread completely soak in the egg mixture on both sides, about 30 seconds to 1 minute total, checking after 15 seconds. (Bread should feel heavy and soaked through but hold its shape without breaking apart.) Melt a tablespoon of butter in the skillet and add the 2 soaked slices; cook until the outside is golden brown and crisp and the inside is cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side. You will need to watch and adjust the temperature between medium and medium-low if the bread is browning too quickly or not browning fast enough. Keep finished French toast slices warm on a rack nested in a rimmed baking sheet in the oven. Repeat with the remaining slices.
• Serve with a dusting of confectioners' sugar and drizzle of maple syrup.

FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar and set aside briefly.
• In a 10-inch or 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk together cinnamon mixture, eggs, milk, and vanilla and pour into a shallow container such as a pie plate. Dip bread in egg mixture. Fry slices until golden brown, then flip to cook the other side. Serve with syrup.

THE BEST FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F.
• Cut the bread into 8 slices about 3/4-inch thick. Arrange them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet (it's ok if they overlap). Bake, flipping them halfway through, until very lightly golden on both sides, about 12 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet until ready to use. Reduce the oven temperature to 200 degrees F.
• Vigorously whisk the eggs in a large bowl until blended and no streaks of whites remain. Add the half-and-half, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg and whisk until completely incorporated. Transfer to a 2-quart baking dish.
• Gently press 2 slices of the toasted bread into the custard. Turn to coat and then gently press down on the bread until you feel it start to soak up the custard-this is key for a luscious, moist texture. Let the bread soak for about 1 minute per side; it should feel heavy but still hold its shape and not fall apart.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Cook 2 of the soaked bread slices until they are a deep golden brown, the custard has set and the insides are cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side. The center of the bread will puff slightly while the crust will contract, making it look puckered. You may have to alternate between medium and medium-low heat if the bread browns too quickly or not fast enough. Transfer the slices to a rimmed baking sheet and hold in the warm oven. Repeat with the remaining butter and bread.
• Serve the French toast with butter, maple syrup and a sprinkle of confectioners' sugar.

CINNAMON FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Whisk together the half-and-half, granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, salt and eggs in a large bowl until very well combined and no visible egg white remains. Pour the mixture into an 8- or 9-inch square baking dish.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter and when it melts, swirl to coat the skillet.
• Put 2 slices of bread at a time in the custard until moistened through, about 10 seconds on each side for the thicker bread and 5 seconds for the thinner sandwich bread.
• When the butter begins to sizzle, transfer the soaked slices to the skillet and cook until the custard is heated through and the slices are very golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet and hold in the oven while you repeat with the remaining butter, bread and custard.
• To serve, fan out the slices on a platter or individual plates and dust with confectioners' sugar and additional cinnamon. Serve with fresh fruit and maple syrup.