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Classic French Toast

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  • Prep 25 min
  • Total 25 min
  • Ingredients 7
  • Servings 7
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Cozy weekend mornings were tailor-made for sleeping in, staying in your pj’s and gathering in the kitchen to whip up an extra-yummy, no-fuss brunch the whole family will love. French toast is the perfect fit for just this kind of morning, and our Classic French Toast recipe couldn’t be easier or more fun to make.

This fantastic French toast recipe has just seven simple ingredients, many of which you probably have on hand. Eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla create a luscious batter for your bread of choice, giving you some of the fluffiest French toast you’ve ever tasted. Prep only takes 25 minutes, leaving you plenty of time for a second cup of coffee.

The real magic of this delicious dish is the way it brings the whole family together. When the scent of cinnamon and vanilla gently floats through the air, the kitchen is the place to be! And this classic, crowd-pleasing recipe is so delightfully fun and simple to make, anyone can lend a hand—even the kiddos. Ready to try out a new family tradition? Make some sweet morning memories and cook up this French toast recipe today.

By Pillsbury Kitchens
Updated May 15, 2024
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How to Make French Toast

Whip up this light, fluffy French toast faster than you can say, “Pass the syrup, please.” With only seven ingredients and a few simple steps you’ll have a yummy brunch to feed your hungry crew. Here’s how it’s done.

Mix: Prep your batter by beating the eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla in a bowl. The egg whites and yolks should be well-combined with a uniform, light yellow color.
Heat: Get your griddle going. Medium heat is best for this Classic French Toast recipe. Listen for the sizzle when you add your butter or oil to the surface.
Dip: Take your bread slices for a dip in your egg mixture, coating both sides evenly. For gooey, rich French toast, soak the bread for 10 minutes on each side. For a firmer texture in the middle, give the bread a quick flip, so it soaks up less of the egg mixture. It’s all up to you!
Cook: Add your slices to your hot griddle, cooking each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. If your slices aren’t browning evenly, try adjusting their position on your griddle–they may heat differently depending on where they’re placed. And don’t worry, we won’t tell if you sprinkle a little extra cinnamon and sugar after you flip!

Topped with a dusting of powdered sugar and plenty of ooey gooey maple syrup, this yummy French toast will have the whole family coming back for seconds (or maybe even thirds). Check out the full detailed directions below to make this breakfast classic.

What Are the Ingredients in French Toast?

Aside from being downright delicious, the best thing about French toast might be that it’s easy to make—you may just have everything you need waiting in your kitchen! This Classic French Toast recipe has just seven ingredients, making it super easy to pull off an epic weekend brunch without a lot of planning.

Bread: For the foundation of your French toast—you can use any bread you like, but thick-sliced bread like challah or brioche work well for soaking up the custard mixture.
Eggs: Eggs hold all the ingredients together and provide the rich, velvety texture French toast is known for.
Milk: Milk adds moisture and creaminess to your custard mixture and helps tenderize the bread so you get the perfect fluffy, soft slices that make this dish oh so craveable.
Sugar, cinnamon & vanilla: When it comes to flavor, this trio can’t be beat! Adding sweetness and an absolutely mouth-watering aroma, these ingredients take your French toast over the top.

How Do I Serve French Toast?

As versatile as it is tasty, this classic dish is an all-star at any morning table. (Though, come to think of it, breakfast for dinner is never a bad idea either!) It’s a perfect recipe for special holiday brunches where the entire family can gather in the kitchen for a little extra quality time.

Serve your French toast hot off the griddle with a dusting of powdered sugar. Make sure you’ve got plenty of maple syrup on hand for drizzling. You can add fresh berries for a fun, fruity twist to the recipe. Or, if you like a bit of savory to go along with your sweet, try serving with a side of bacon or sausage. However you serve it, grab a slice for yourself before it disappears! Check out this collection of family-favorite recipes for even more fun breakfast and brunch inspiration.

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/4 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 loaf (1 lb) brioche or challah bread, cut into 3/4-inch thick slices
  • 2 teaspoons powdered sugar

Steps

  • 1
    In medium bowl, beat eggs, milk, granulated sugar, cinnamon and vanilla until well blended.
  • 2
    Heat nonstick griddle to 375°F or skillet over medium heat. Grease with vegetable oil, if necessary.
  • 3
    Dip bread slices into egg mixture, coating both sides. Place on griddle. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Sprinkle each serving with powdered sugar. Serve with syrup, if desired.

Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens

  • tip 1
    If you’d like your French toast to have a richer flavor, use whole milk in your custard mix.
  • tip 2
    Day old bread is ideal for French toast. A stale bread will soak up more of the custard mixture. If you want to dry the bread slices before making French Toast, place them in a single layer on a baking rack. Let stand 2 hours or overnight to dry.
  • tip 3
    For extra flavor and a pretty presentation, top French toast with fresh berries such as raspberries, blueberries, strawberries or blackberries.
  • tip 4
    The key to making great French toast lies in bringing the griddle or skillet to the right temperature. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat (375°F) before cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Common Mistakes When Making French Toast?

While French Toast is a super simple dish to make, there are a few common mistakes to avoid to ensure you’ll get the perfect, golden brown, fluffy slices every time.

Adding too much dairy or sugar: Too much milk will prevent your eggs from cooking properly, giving you soggy French toast. Avoid adding too much sugar to the custard, since you’ll be adding powdered sugar and syrup when topping your French toast.
Not mixing thoroughly: Whisk your custard until all ingredients are well combined which keeps pieces of egg white off your finished French Toast.
Under soaking your bread: Take your time when dipping your bread in the custard mixture. If you dip too quickly, it won’t have a chance to soak up all that yummy, velvety goodness.
Not preheating your pan: Not too high, not too low–a griddle preheated to 375°F (or a pan over medium heat) is ideal for crisp, golden brown French toast every time.

What Breads Can I Use to Make French Toast?

When making this Classic French Toast recipe, you can really use any kind of bread you like! The secret is in the thickness of the slice. If the bread is too thin, it won’t hold together when dipped in the custard mix. If it's too thick, it’s difficult to get it properly cooked in the center. The ideal thickness for a slice of French toast is 3/4" to 1" thick.

We highly recommend brioche or challah bread, since they are spongy enough to soak up the custard mixture beautifully, but sturdy enough that they won’t fall apart during cooking. For a fun twist on the traditional, try making your French toast with cinnamon raisin bread. Or give this homemade sourdough a go for an extra-special, from scratch touch.

What Kind of Milk Should I Use?

You can get subtle variations in flavor by using different types of milk in this French toast recipe. It’s all a matter of taste, so feel free to try a few variations and see what you like.

Reduced fat: 2%, 1% or skim are great standard options for a classic French toast, especially if they’re already available in your fridge.
Whole milk: Get a richer flavor with the higher fat content in whole milk.
Heavy Cream: This is an extra decadent spin on the dish and definitely worth a try for any special occasion.
Non-dairy: Try almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk for a dairy-free French toast. Each option will lend the dish a slightly different flavor, so try them all to see which you prefer.

The flavors in your French toast will change slightly depending on the dairy option you choose, but the end result will always be delicious!

Nutrition Information

340 Calories, 15g Total Fat, 12g Protein, 39g Total Carbohydrate, 12g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 2 Slices
Calories
340
Calories from Fat
130
Total Fat
15g
23%
Saturated Fat
5g
26%
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
220mg
73%
Sodium
220mg
9%
Potassium
190mg
5%
Total Carbohydrate
39g
13%
Dietary Fiber
1g
6%
Sugars
12g
Protein
12g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
8%
8%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
10%
10%
Iron
15%
15%
Exchanges:
1 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
2 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

More About This Recipe

  • Can’t get enough French toast? Take a peek at these fun French Toast variations for different ways to cook up this classic dish. And if you want to learn more about the types of sugar, or the history, you can learn the French Toast Specifics and how to Cook it for a Crowd.
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