Last Updated on July 3, 2024
When I’m cooking for myself I seldom make dessert. That’s partly mindful eating – I’m conscious of trying to keep my sugar intake down. But, it’s also because most of my favourite puddings are things to make for 2 or more people. There are exceptions – pancakes, caramelised apples and even chocolate mousse. And, this wonderful Brioche French Toast or pain perdu, which works equally well for a dessert or brunch dish and can be mixed up with a little alcohol or by varying the fruits that you use (marmalade is good!).
It’s a dish that I grew up with – although the version we enjoyed as kids was nothing like as glamorous. It was a go-to breakfast when my mother had a lie-in and we could get away with destroying the kitchen! From the age of 7 or 8, I remember soaking thick white sliced bread in the egg, milk and sugar mix and then frying it in large quantities of butter. My brothers did their own – each one of us adding to the layers of grease and eggy mixture that coated the hob and the worktops. We’d then sprinkle the whole thing with more sugar and add dollops of raspberry jam and yoghurt. I seem to remember using a variety of frying pans and somehow getting sugar, batter and grease onto everything in sight. That’s one way to make sure your mother never sleeps in again!
Making French Toast with brioche creates an altogether more elegant result and the sweet, soft bread is a perfect foil for the eggy, buttery shell. I now serve mine with a handful of fresh berries softened in the microwave and with yoghurt or creme fraiche. Whipped cream is the ultimate indulgence – but given the quantities of butter that go into this dish, I do try to avoid that. You can use any bread of course, though one with a softish centre will work best – and ideally, you should slice your own into thick 1-inch pieces. It’s best to use bread that is a little old or stale too, just to help ensure you don’t get a soggy pain perdu!
There are a couple more tricks that will make your Brioche French Toast perfect. The first is that once you’ve made up your egg mixture and sliced your bread, you need to be ready to fry. Melt your butter and get it foaming before you dip the bread. Then, dip the bread for 30 seconds or so on each side – no more or you run the risk of ending up with a gloop.
Secondly, when you do put the bread into the foaming butter, try not to disturb it too much. Ideally, you’ll flip once only before serving – though I appreciate it’s tempting to turn it more often. The aim is to get a lovely crisp golden exterior and a soft fluffy centre. If you flip the brioche French toast too soon you’ll end up with a gooey mess – and if you leave it too long it will burn. Although I like to use a lot of butter to cook this, I do set the French toast onto kitchen roll for a minute or so before serving to absorb at least some of the excess fat.
Once you’ve mastered the technique, this is a super easy and delicious dish to make for brunch or as a quick dessert and, it’s great for using up leftover brioche.
Here’s a printable recipe for one serving –
Brioche French Toast with Berries
Ingredients
- 2 slices brioche
- 2 teaspoons caster sugar and more to dredge
- 75 millitres full cream milk or single cream
- 50 grams mixed berries
- 15 millitres creme fraiche (or whipped cream or greek yoghurt)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 50 grams butter
Instructions
- Mix together the egg, caster sugar cinnamon and milk in a shallow bowl
- Melt the butter in a heavy based frying pan till foaming but not coloured.
- Dip the bread into the egg mixture for 20 seconds or so, then turn so that all the cut surfaces are covered
- Fry the bread in the butter over a moderate heat for 2-3 minutes, checking carefully to make sure it doesn't burn
- Flip the bread over and cook the other side, adding more butter if necessary
- Set the cooked Brioche French Toast onto some kitchen roll to absorb any excess fat before serving
- Serve with the mixed berries and creme fraiche to one side, drenched in more caster sugar to taste
I made this French toast for breakfast this morning and it was incredible! The creme fraiche really sent it over the top!
Loved this thick and delicious brioche bread french toast. YUM!
This recipe was absolutely incredible! Brioche French toast is such a luxurious way to start the day.
YUM! what a tasty way to start the day. Love the idea of using creme freche instead of whipped cream!
This is such a delicious recipe. The brioche adds a wonderful flavor and texture. It’s so much more decadent than regular sliced bread!
I love this recipe, easy and delicious. Thanks for sharing