Close your computer. Go to the grocery store. Buy challah bread. Okay the hard part is over, now get that cast iron going!
The Best French Toast
Serves: 2
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 4 1-inch slices of challah bread
- 1 cup half and half OR Italian sweet cream OR egg nog
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Toppings: maple syrup, powdered sugar, strawberries… I could keep going but you get the point.
DIRECTIONS
- Whisk the cream, eggs, salt, and sugar in a large baking dish (if using sweet cream or egg nog omit the sugar.) P.S. You just made a custard!
- Place a large cast iron (or other frying pan) over medium-low heat.
- Soak the bread by placing the four slices side by side in the custard for one minute per side.
- While the bread is soaking up the custard, heat 2 tablespoons of butter in the cast iron pan. Once its melted, hot, and starting to foam, you’re ready to make magic.
- Place the bread in the pan, one at a time, letting any excess custard drip off into the baking dish.
- Check the bottom of each slice of bread after about 3 minutes. If it looks like nice and brown flip and let brown for an addition 3 minutes (or whenever it looks toasted!)
- Remove the two slices, add the rest of the butter, and repeat steps 5 and 6.
- Serve with hot (real) maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh fruit.
NOTES
- If using half and half: add a tablespoon of sugar to the egg mix
- Avoid a crazy custard mess: place your baking dish as close to the stove as possible to avoid dripping the mixture all over the floor and all over your dog that will be standing underneath you.
- Pro tip: Use two pans and make all four slices at once!
lawrence U says
Just thought I’d let you know I tried some of your recipes and they were amazing!!
Thanks for the share,
LU
David says
Thanks for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed!
Vickey Anderson says
Hello David,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful recipes. I look forward to making this as my husband loves french toast.
For the best maple syrup around try Three Rivers Farm real maple syrup out of Minnesota. I know that seems a strange place to harvest maple syrup but it is truly delicious. If I had a way to send you some I would be happy to gift you a bottle. They also have many combinations of flavored syrup. Really great for marinade.
p.s. I you would like our Chicken & Kraut recipe please let me know. It is wonderful and super easy.
David says
Let me know how it goes! Feel free to reach out at https://www.theonlyfood.com/contact/ with that recipe, I’d love to check it out.
Diana says
French toast made with challah bread is the supreme best. First discovered it in the late 70s in a small coffee shop near Lincoln Center. Oh the memories.
David says
It absolutely is!
Theresa W. says
Love French toast! Can’t wait to try your recipe. It looks delicious! David, where did you get your love for cooking and when did you start cooking? Your recipes look amazing! Can’t wait for you to post more.
David says
If you love french toast I think you’ll be very happy with this one! Long story short: I ran out of money shortly after moving to NYC 12 years ago and started taking photos of menus and trying to recreate my favorite dishes at home. Thankfully I turned out to love it!
Theresa W. says
Where is your favorite place to food shop (especially for the Challah bread) and the rest of your ingredients?
David says
I don’t mind switching up stores as long as the quality seems good. Challah especially I like to mix it up and find new brand!