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[1] Dulce De Leche French Toast with macerated fresh berries, dulce de leche drizzle and a hand-whipped cream (photo © Chica | Las Vegas).
[2] French toast sandwich with jam. Here’s the recipe (photo © Zulka Sugar).
[3] Apple Pecan French Toast. Here’s the recipe (photo © Zulka Sugar).
[4] Pumpkin-batter French Toast with a sauteed apple topping. Here’s the recipe (photo © Domesticate Me | Peapod).
[5] Savory French Toast topped with tomatoes and cheese. Here’s the recipe (photo © Castello Cheese).
[6] Peach & Banana Stuffed French Toast (photo © Mackenzie Ltd.)
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November 28th is National French Toast Day, but this year it fell on Thanksgiving.
So think of this tip not as being a day late, but as inspiration for Thanksgiving Weekend brunch. Thanks to Flavor & The Menu for the list.
While these ideas are for pan-fried French toast, you can also bake French Toast: equally delicious!
You can also make French Toast sandwiches like the Monte Cristo, an evolution of the Croque-Monsieur, a French sandwich of ham and Gruyère cheese, buttered and lightly browned on both sides in a skillet or under a broiler.
Here’s the recipe so you can try it for lunch—although probably not on the same day you have French Toast for breakfast.
Now, to the mix-and-match ingredients list. Try different combinations to find your signature French Toast recipe.
PICK YOUR BREAD
There are no limits on bread varieties, shapes, thickness.
Traditional French Toast Breads
Brioche
Challah
Texas toast (thick slices of buttered white bread)
Non-Traditional French Toast Breads
Babka
Baguette
Banana bread, zucchini bread, gingerbread
Cinnamon rolls, sticky buns
Croissant
Monkey bread
Panettone (recipe) or pandoro (recipe)
Pound cake
Raisin bread
Swirl bread (cinnamon, pumpkin)
Whole grain bread
BATTERS
You can dip the bread into the batter right before cooking, or soak it overnight.
Here’s the classic custard dip, plus special batters that a surprise of flavor.
Classic: whole milk or heavy cream, eggs, pure vanilla extract, cinnamon and/or nutmeg
Pancake: use a thinner version of pancake batter to dip the bread, combining two breakfast classics
Savory: buttermilk, eggs, chopped fresh herbs, sea salt, cracked pepper
Seasonal: egg nog (recipe)
Textural: retro cereal coatings, healthful cereal/granola coatings, puffed grains, seeds
Tres leches: evaporated milk, Thai coconut milk, heavy cream, eggs and pure vanilla extract, honey, cinnamon
FILLINGS
Plain French Toast is great comfort food. But why not add an element of excitement with fillings between the layers of bread?
Bananas or caramelized bananas
Compote, sautéed fruit
Cream cheese (plain or flavored) or other soft cheese
Custard
Dried fruit relish
Flavored custard, whipped cream style cheeses
Ice cream
Jam (including PB&J French Toast)
Nut compotes, nut butters
Nutella
Savory: seasoned ground meat and/or vegetable blends, tomatoes and cheese (recipe), olive cream cheese and fresh basil or arugula, etc.
TOPPINGS
Sweet, savory, indulgent, healthful, fun/whimsical and premium: Take your choice.
Dessert interpretations: Bananas Foster, cheesecake, tiramisu, pies/crumbles, churros
Fresh or macerated fruit
Fried egg
Housemade relishes and compotes
Whipped flavored mascarpone
Soft savory cheese (herbed goat cheese, for example)
SAUCE/SYRUP
Classic and/or modern finishes complete your French Toast delight.
Caramel, including flavored caramels
Chocolate sauce or spiced chocolate sauce drizzle
Crème anglaise
Preserves or marmalade
Pure maple syrup or fruit-infused syrup
Warmed honey or spicy honey
Whipped honey butter
THE HISTORY OF FRENCH TOAST
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