Georgia French Toast Recipes

THE BEST FRENCH TOAST I'VE EVER MADE

Steps:

• Choose your bread. If you like very thick french toast (you should try it at least once!), find a local bakery and get yourself a loaf of challah or brioche bread (buy a day-old loaf if they have it.) I don't like using French bread or the regular loaves you find in the deli at the grocery store; the crusts turn out too chewy. You want a nice soft edge. If you can't get to a bakery, head to the grocery store and buy the thickest and softest white bread you can find. (3/4 inch or thicker.) Texas toast is great. I like to use the Artesano brand of bread; they sell a pre-sliced brioche loaf that is pretty legit. But their white bread is also nice and soft. See photos.
• Slice your bread with a serrated knife if you are working with a whole loaf. See photos. I like my slices to be about 1 and 1/4 inch thick, which feels a little ridiculous, but trust me. You can even go up to 2 inches if you're feeling wild. Don't slice thinner than 3/4 inch.
• Set your bread aside, spread out so that it gets a little dried out. Day old bread is great for French toast. In France, they call this dish "Lost Bread" because it's what you make when you have dried out bread to use up. (I experimented with toasting the bread first, but thought it dried out the finished product too much.)
• Make the egg mixture. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl,* whisk together 3 egg yolks, 1 and 1/2 cups heavy cream* or half & half, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg, if you like. Whisk until it is completely smooth and the cinnamon is well incorporated.
• Pour the mixture into a shallow dish like a pie plate, or an 8x8 inch pan. Place a slice of bread in the mixture and let it sit there for 10 to 20 seconds. How long you soak it depends on how thick your bread is. It should be soft when you touch it, but still hold itself together. Flip the bread and soak the other side. You can start cooking the French toast right away, or you can place the soaked bread on a baking sheet or plate while you finish soaking all of them.
• Cook the French toast: Heat an electric griddle or large 12 inch skillet over medium low heat. When it is hot, add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or any oil with a high smoke point.) Swirl it around until the pan is coated. Place the French toast on the pan with 1 to 2 inches in between each slice of bread. Cook on medium low heat for 3-5 minutes. The timing depends on your oven or griddle, so stick around and keep an eye on it.
• Caramelize. When the bottom of the first side is LIGHT brown (we are going to cook this side twice), sprinkle about a half tablespoon granulated sugar on the top (raw) side of the bread. Flip the toast, sugar side down, and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes. (Be sure to swirl the pan so oil re-coats it, or add more butter/oil if necessary). Then, sprinkle another half tablespoon of sugar on the cooked side, and flip it over again so that it lightly caramelizes the first side.
• Keep your toast warm. Preheat your oven to the "keep warm" setting, about 170 degrees F. As you finish frying the toast, transfer each one to a wire cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Keep toast warm in the oven until ready to serve.
• I honestly don't even put maple syrup on caramelized French toast. I feel like it doesn't really need it, plus it makes the caramel edge not as crunchy. I like to eat it plain, or with a little jam. But maple syrup is really delicious if you are in the mood! A sprinkle of powdered sugar and a berry garnish never hurt either.
• Keep leftovers stored covered in the fridge. It will keep for 3-5 days. You can reheat leftovers in the microwave or the toaster. Or heat your oven to 350 and heat the toast all together on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, until the toast is warmed, about 5-10 minutes.

FRENCH TOAST I

Steps:

• Beat together egg, milk, salt, desired spices and vanilla.
• Heat a lightly oiled griddle or skillet over medium-high heat.
• Dunk each slice of bread in egg mixture, soaking both sides. Place in pan, and cook on both sides until golden. Serve hot.

GEORGIA PEACH FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• For the filling: In a saucepan set over low heat, add the peaches, sugar, cinnamon and ginger. Stir until the peaches are evenly coated, and then simmer until the peaches are tender and the syrup thickens, 15 to 20 minutes. Place the peach mixture in a blender and pulse until thick and chunky.
• For the French toast: In a large, shallow bowl, add the milk, cinnamon, vanilla and eggs, and whisk together. Dip the bread in the batter and to soak up the liquid.
• Heat a griddle over medium-high heat, then add some butter. Place the soaked bread on the griddle and cover with large metal bowl to keep the heat in. Cook until golden brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Layer one slice of French toast, a spoonful of the peach filling and a second slice of French toast on four serving plates. Top each plate with confectioner's sugar, whipped cream and some Candied Pecans.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a saucepan set over medium heat, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and 2 tablespoons water. Mix to combine and cook until the mixture begins to bubble, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Place the toasted pecans on a sheet tray and pour the hot mixture over the top and toss until the pecans are evenly coated. Place in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Cool the pecans to handle. Crumble the candied pecans and toast 2 more minutes. Yield: 1 cup

GEORGIA FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring brown sugar, butter and water to a boil.
• Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Pour into a greased 13-in.
• *9-in.
• *2-in.
• baking dish; top with peahes.
• Arange bread over peaches.
• In a bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and vanilla; slowly pour over bread.
• Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
• Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
• Sprinkle with cinnamon.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Uncover; bake 25-30 minutes longer or until the bread is golden brown.
• Serve with a spoon.
• (pairs great with sausage).

GRANDMA'S FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Mix eggs, nutmeg, vanilla, sugar, salt, and milk if using, together.
• Spray Pam, or butter, a skillet.
• Dip bread into egg mixture quickly to coat so it does not absorb too much egg.
• Put on skillet and cook until lightly brown; flip.
• Brown on other side.

THE BEST FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, whisk together the first 7 ingredients. Preheat a greased griddle over medium heat., Dip bread in egg mixture, letting it soak 5 seconds on each side. Cook on griddle until golden brown on both sides. Serve with toppings as desired.

CHEF JOHN'S FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Whisk eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, allspice, and salt together in a large bowl. Place bread slices in egg mixture and soak, turning to coat, until bread is completely saturated.
• Melt butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, cook bread in hot butter until golden, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer toasted bread to a baking sheet.
• Bake toast in the oven until outside is crisp and slightly puffed, 12 to 15 minutes.

GEORGIA STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Cube bread and place half in buttered 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Cube cream cheese and distribute over bread cubes. Add chopped pecans. Cover with remaining half of bread cubes. Beat eggs, milk and syrup together. Carefully pour over bread mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours. Remove plastic wrap and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Serve with heated syrup and fresh fruit

FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Lay the brioche slices in a single layer in a shallow dish and pour the egg mixture over them. Allow to soak for 2-3 mins, then carefully turn over and soak for 2 mins more.
• Heat 1 tbsp of the vegetable oil and butter in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat until foaming. Carefully lift 2 slices of the soaked brioche out of the dish and add to the frying pan. Fry for 3 mins on each side, until golden and crisp, then place on a wire rack over a baking tray in a warm oven while you repeat with the remaining slices.
• Serve dusted in icing sugar and scattered with fresh berries, if you like.