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t’s the weekend, you’re in your PJs, and you’re feeling lazy. You don’t want to go out for brunch, but you’re also not in the mood to cook anything complicated. So, you opt for the next best thing: French toast! It’s easy enough to make at home, and it’ll be just as delicious (if not more so) than anything you could get at a restaurant. Plus, who doesn’t love a good excuse to eat lots of syrup?! Here are 10 tips on how to make the best French toast at home.
1. Use day-old bread: This may seem like an odd tip, but hear us out! When you use fresh bread, it’s more likely to fall apart when you soak it in the egg mixture. Day-old bread is firmer and will hold together better. Plus, it’ll give your French toast a nice crust on the outside. If you don’t have any day-old bread lying around, simply toast your slices of bread before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.
2. Use whole milk: For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of skim or 2%. The higher fat content will also help ensure that your French toast is nice and fluffy.
3. Add some flavor: To give your French toast a little something extra, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or cinnamon to the egg mixture. You can also add zest from an orange or lemon. Just be careful not to add too much—a little goes a long way!
4. Use clarified butter: When cooking French toast, clarified butter is your best friend. Clarified butter is just regular butter that has had the milk solids and water removed—this leaves behind pure butterfat, which has a higher smoke point than regular butter. That means it won’t burn as easily, which is important when you’re cooking something on the stovetop. If you don’t have any clarified butter on hand, regular butter will work in a pinch—just be sure to keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
5. Cook slowly: One of the keys to perfect French toast is cooking it slowly over low heat. This ensures that the inside gets cooked all the way through without burning the outside. Don’t be tempted to turn up the heat to speed things along—it’s not worth sacrificing perfectly cooked French toast!
6. Be generous with the syrup: When drenching your French toast in syrup, go ahead and be generous! There’s no such thing as too much syrup (in our opinion), so don’t be shy about giving your French toast a good coating.
7. Add some toppings: If you’re feeling fancy, try topping your French toast with some fresh fruit or whipped cream. A dusting of powdered sugar also adds a nice touch.
8. Get creative with the bread: While challah or brioche are traditional choices for making French toast, feel free to get creative with your bread selection! Try using sourdough or even cinnamon raisin bread for a different twist on this classic breakfast dish.
9 . Don’t forget about savory toppings: If sweet isn’t your thing, there are plenty of savory toppings that are delicious on French toast! Try sausage or bacon for a hearty option, or go for something lighter like avocado or tomato slices. All are delicious!
10 . Enjoy!: Lastly, don’t forget to enjoy your creation! Make yourself a big plate (or two) of French toast and relish in the fact that you made something so delicious without even having to leave your house. Bon appetit!
Now that you know all our best tips and tricks for making perfect french toast at home, there’s just one thing left to do: get cooking! Just remember to have fun with it—after all, half the enjoyment comes from experimenting with different flavors and toppings. We hope you have as much fun making (and eating!) French toast as we do!
