We love all versions of this infinitely variable brunch staple – baked, stuffed and plain. So, what could be better than even more scrumptious twists on an old favorite? We asked our Facebook fans, “How do you make your French toast? Any signature twists or toppings?” Fruit toppings, Texas toast, or even prepared in a waffle iron! You’ll find the collection of recipes below – and don’t forget to add your own unique French toast recipe in the comments section below.
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Carrie Addaline 2 words: Pan Perdue. Toss some cognac and soak the stale one inch thick bread in there for a bit and slow pan fry in butter. Enjoy with homemade whipped cream.
Isis Austin I use coconut oil instead of butter and add vanilla.
Cheryl Aker Hubbard Stuffed with cream cheese, vanilla and pecans and topped with homemade blueberry syrup!
Thomas A. Reou I keep it simple: cinnamon and sugar, cooked in butter.
Doug Brown My wife does an amazing pumpkin pie French toast casserole.
Sunshine Rambo I make grilled ham and cheese with French toast then sprinkle w/ powdered sugar. This morning I made breakfast hot dogs w/ French toast wrapped around deer sausage and cheese. Might add grilled onions next time.
Aimee Ruth Blue My favorite way is to open 2 cans of evaporated milk, pour them in a shallow pan, add 3 eggs, beat the eggs with a fork and blend them in with the milk. Then, take a good loaf of sourdough bread, or King’s Hawaiian bread, or a loaf of French bread, and slice it thick. Lay each piece in the milk/egg mixture in the pan, and sprinkle each piece with ground cinnamon.
Let soak, turn over, let soak, and then I make mine on an electric pancake griddle.
I love to serve it with cinnamon or powdered white sugar, and syrup. Also, try with apple butter and sliced bananas.
LaDonna Eddie Pigg The kids just asked me to add this one to their cookbooks this weekend (so directions are geared for a 10 and 13 year old). 2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon almond extract, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 4-6 slices of bread, and butter for greasing the griddle. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl large enough to lay a slice of bread in.
Preheat griddle on medium heat, melting 2-4 tablespoons of butter. Next, lace bread in bowl one slice at a time to absorb some of mixture and flip to coat both sides. Finally, transfer to hot griddle and flip every couple of minutes until both sides are browned.
Jody Hulber Just had French toast for our New Year’s brunch… Sooooo good! Start with 6 large farm fresh, pasture raised eggs (hey people… raising chickens is fun!!) Put in a flat pan with sides, adding 2 tablespoons whole milk, 1 teaspoons vanilla, a large dash of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup (this will help it brown nicely.) Whisk together until blended, but don’t over beat. Should still retain some texture. Dip thickly sliced sourdough bread into the mixture, letting each side soak for about 15 seconds. Cook on buttered grill or in frying pan on med-high for about 4 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Serve with lots of butter and pure maple syrup, with venison sausage and fruit compote on the side. Serve with hot apple cider. These proportions work for about 3/4 loaf of a large, thick-sliced loaf of bread, 6 slices — you can make more or less as you want. I’m sure there will be interesting twists on this, but nothing beats classic French toast! In the summer, I serve with homemade blueberry, raspberry or strawberry sauce instead of maple syrup, with fresh squeezed orange juice. O yea, French toast for dinner!
Jenny Penny A 1-2 day old baguette makes prefect French toast!
LoriAnn Luger Just made these this morning! Three farm fresh eggs, well beaten with a teaspoon of vanilla and a teaspoon of almond extract. Now a dash of fresh cream or milk and two teaspoons of cinnamon. Soak bread (once, I used leftover angel food cake! Yum!) Then, slowly fry over med heat in a teaspoon of butter. Delicious! Top with lemon curd or maple syrup…or whatever is your favorite berry.
Missy McCall I like to make it with banana bread that has been around for a couple days. You have to be a little gentle with it or it will crumble but it is so delicious with a little maple syrup on top!
Susan M Hathaway We like to use Texas toast in our kitchen. And for company we use slices of homemade cinnamon rolls.
Chrys Ostrander My friend turned me on to making French toast in a waffle iron. Make it the same way and cook it in the waffle iron.
Ava Young Take 3 farm fresh brown eggs, ( raise my own) mix in a bowl with 1/2 can evaporated milk, add teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Beat eggs slightly; soak day old slices of bread or Texas toast until well saturated. Place butter on hot skillet or griddle and fry on both sides!! Serve with maple syrup or honey!! Also good topped with jam, jelly, or any type of fresh fruit!! May top with whipped cream for a richer taste!
Darlene Collisson During the holidays, we use cinnamon raisin bread, eggs and some egg-nog. Very delicious!
Tami Pollard I don’t measure anything so have no measurements. I make mine with egg, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and a dash of salt.
Janet Brister I made French toast earlier in December using panettone. It turned out wonderfully!
Jennifer Kongs Sometimes we make a savory version — adding salt, pepper and fresh Italian-themed herbs to the egg-milk batter, and making a balsamic vinegar, sun dried tomato sauce to drizzle over the top. Makes a great, quick dinner when accompanied with steamed greens or a hearty salad.
Kristin Wagle In a pie plate, place 4 eggs, 1/4 cup cream or half & half, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, dash nutmeg, generous pinch brown sugar. Beat lightly. Soak day old bread a few seconds on each side (your favorite, but cinnamon swirl is heavenly), and fry on a griddle in melted butter until nicely browned on both sides. Serve with a pat of butter and cinnamon sugar or warm maple syrup.
Anne Marie Silva Cabrejos my family loves it made with raisin bread or candied fruit bread slices…real treat and quick.
Joseph Ray Turnage Put some dashes of Tabasco in the milk and egg mixture. Soak the bread and when cooked sprinkle some fresh ground black pepper. Lavish with ketchup and eat! No cinnamon, ketchup!
Shreen Beshures Cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla & sometimes orange peel… delicious!
Johnny Ringo Challah bread makes the best French toast. Use farm fresh eggs and sweet almond milk as well.
Helen Burton I buy several cans of Borden’s eggnog in the can when I find it in the stores. Just pour into a bowl, add cinnamon (other spices if desired) and vanilla. Dip bread, pan fry (I use Pam to cut back on fat). It is golden and yummy and fuss free.
Fair Haven Farms We like to liven up our French toast every now and then. Oat encrusted toast can be made by dipping the bread in the batter and then into uncooked oats. However, one of our favorite creations is Fruity Pebbles encrusted French toast. Simply crush up the cereal and dip battered bread into the cereal bits. It is sweet and colorful. C’est magnifique!
Susan Bryant Myers I am too old to measure. 2 eggs, little milk, about a tablespoon of sugar, teaspoon of vanilla, mix, add two pieces of bread. Simple, and hard for me to burn in the pan.
Jimmie Earl Rhoden Jr. My dad did this when we were kids: Beat eggs in some milk salt and pepper to taste, then he would cut a hole in the center of the thick slice bread and soak each side in the mixture. In a buttered pan he placed the bread, and then cracked a fresh egg in the center hole. He cooked it just so the egg in the center was a lil runny. OMG we loved it when sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
Paul Presti How about deep-fried strawberry jam chips sprinkled with sugar powder?