What’s the big deal with Challah French Toast? Why would I be so specific about the bread? There are few breads better suited to French toast than challah. It’s tender and rich and super willing to hold lots and lots of egg batter. To made it extra special, I load my batter with orange zest and even add a little extra sugar to created a brûléed custard effect that is reminiscent of crème brûlée. Then I smother it in fresh berries and maybe even some type of cream. Whipped cream when I’m in the mood to be decadent, yogurt when I’m trying to be a little healthy, or Coeur a la crème for when I’m going all out (or I have some leftover). And this time of year, when it’s cold and hearty breakfast feels justified (or anytime I ask Marc what he’d like me to make, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner) Challah French Toast hits the spot. Sometimes Marc even goes so far as to come home from work with a loaf of fresh challah, and then, I know it’s gonna be a French Toast weekend. Make this fabulous Challah French Toast and I bet you’ll not only please your loved one, you’ll also train them to spontaneously show up with challah now and then.
- One loaf of good challah (sometimes I even make my own) but you won't need the whole thing
- 4 eggs
- ⅔ cup milk
- zest of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- Slice the bread.
- Mix together the eggs, milk, zest, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.*
- Soak the bread until all the batter is absorbed.
- Fry in butter on medium to medium low heat. Flip and repeat.
- Top with fresh berries and some Coeur à la crème or some trusty refrigerator jam.
- *The egg to milk part is all about ratio. This amount of batter took me through a little over half of my loaf of challah (about 8 slices), but every bakery makes different sizes, so adjust based on how many slices you think you want. I like 2 eggs per ⅓ cup milk.
How did you know I have an impromptu sleep-over guest tonight! And he’s a New Yawkah, so he knows all about challah bread. Thank you, thank you. I’ve made French toast with challah before, but never with cardamom and orange zest. Yummy!!!
Impeccable timing. Just another Dirty Laundry Kitchen service with a smile. Enjoy!