French Toast Recipe

Written by
Rebecca Franklin
Rebecca Franklin is a freelance lifestyle writer and recipe developer. Her expertise is in French cuisine, which she writes about and teaches.
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Rebecca Franklin
Updated 08/16/19
French Toast - Pain Perdu. Ralph Daily
  • Total: 17 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 12 mins
  • Soak: 10 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
363 Calories
22g Fat
27g Carbs
13g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 363
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 12g 58%
Cholesterol 254mg 85%
Sodium 251mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Protein 13g
Calcium 206mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This French toast recipe, or pain perdu, is an easy preparation of thickly sliced bread soaked in a sweetened, vanilla-scented custard mixture and then fried in butter to golden perfection. The name pain perdu literally means lost bread and is used in reference to using day-old bread that would otherwise be lost. Dress up this French toast recipe with a dusting of confectioners' sugar, whipped cream, or fresh berries.

Cook's note: While softer breads may be used, this French toast recipe produces great results with a drier, more substantial bread, like a country loaf or baguettes.

Ingredients

  • 4 Eggs
  • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 cups milk
  • 8 thick slices of day-old bread (cut on a bias)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup whipped cream (or 14 cup powder sugar, or 1 cup berries for garnish)

Steps to Make It

  1. Beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is completely blended and smooth.

  2. Stir the milk into the egg mixture until it is fully incorporated.

  3. Place the slices of bread into the egg mixture, turn them over to coat all the surfaces, and allow the bread to soak for 10 minutes.

  4. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Cook 2 slices of soaked bread in the melted butter for 3 minutes.

  5. Turn the slices of French toast over and cook them for an additional 3 minutes, until they are golden brown and lightly crispy on each side.

  6. Repeat with the remaining butter and soaked bread.