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Classic French Toast

Classic French Toast

Name: Classic French Toast
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 7
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

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By Pillsbury Kitchens

Updated Jun 27, 2024

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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.

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.

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.

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!