Servings: 4

The best French toast is crisp and browned on the outside, creamy on the inside, and not overly sweet. For best results, use a heavy-duty pan that distributes heat evenly.

Ingredients

3 oz. (6 Tbs.) unsalted butter; more for the pan
2 cups milk, preferably whole, at room temperature
6 large eggs, at room temperature
3 Tbs. sugar
4-1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Kosher salt
8 to 10 3/4-inch-thick slices challah, brioche, or hearty white sandwich bread
Maple syrup, heated, for serving

Calories (kcal) : 670
Fat Calories (kcal): 330
Fat (g): 37
Saturated Fat (g): 18
Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 3
Monounsaturated Fat (g): 11
Cholesterol (mg): 475
Sodium (mg): 820
Carbohydrates (g): 59
Fiber (g): 2
Protein (g): 23

Preparation

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven, put a baking sheet on each rack, and heat the oven to 250°F.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and 1 tsp. salt and whisk until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish.
Working in batches, add 2 or 3 slices of bread (or as many as will fit in your skillet in a single layer) to the mixture and soak, turning once, until saturated but not falling apart, about 2 minutes total.
In a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, melt about 1/2 Tbs. butter. When the foam subsides, use a slotted spatula to add the soaked bread in a single layer. Cook, turning once, until goldenbrown, 1-1/2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet in the oven, arranging the pieces in a single layer, to keep warm.
Repeat with the remaining bread, briefly rewhisking the batter before soaking, and wiping out the skillet and adding fresh butter between batches.
Serve drizzled with maple syrup.

Make Ahead Tips

The batter can be made ahead and kept at room temperature for up to 1 hour.

Tip

Go with fresh bread, not stale. Although stale bread may absorb somewhat more batter, fresh bread, which is softer to begin with, makes more tender French toast.

(6 ratings) Read Reviews

Save to Recipe Box

Add Recipe Note

Saved Add to List

Add to List

Add Recipe Note

Reviews

Rate or Review

Reviews (6 reviews)

dcouyou | 03/27/2016
I used less sugar and added one tsp. honey. I added one tsp. orange zest which I grinded with the sugar. I mixed the dry ingredients (added a dash of nutmeg) the night before. I decreased the amount of melted butter and used some whole milk and mostly 2% milk. I used a nonstick griddle and cooked the French toast in alittle butter and canola oil. Very tasty and will definitely make again served with warm maple syrup and fresh berries.
Libranflight | 07/28/2015
Very good, and my Mom said it was the best french toast she ever had. My fianc, who claims to not like french toast, asked for seconds. I used the classic sandwich bread recipe on the USA pan 13" pullman covered loaf pan to make it, and together they made the best french toast!! Definitely a keeper, I printed out this recipe and put it in my recipe binder, thanks for sharing!
Elke14 | 09/14/2014
So good! The 670 calories per serving shocked me a bit though. I therefore made a light version with 1% milk, less butter and less sugar. And it still came out great and sweet enough considering that you put syrup on top of it anyways. Definitely a keeper.

Rate this Recipe

Write a Review

What We're Cooking Now

Name: Classic French Toast
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 3 oz. (6 Tbs.) unsalted butter; more for the pan; 2 cups milk, preferably whole, at room temperature; 6 large eggs, at room temperature; 3 Tbs. sugar; 4-1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract; 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon; Kosher salt; 8 to 10 3/4-inch-thick slices challah, brioche, or hearty white sandwich bread; Maple syrup, heated, for serving