French Toast

5 from 7 votes

Make this easy French toast recipe for most delicious start to any morning.

Prep Time30

Cook Time5

Total Time35

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 374

Author: Candace

Dry bread by laying on a wire rack overnight* or bake at 200˚F for about 15 minutes (then cool completely).
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, orange juice, sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon, salt, and cognac (if using).
In a baking tray, place bread in a single layer. Pour egg mixture over bread. Flip slices several times until bread is coated and soaked, about 15-20 minutes. There may be a small amount of egg mixture remaining in the pan, but most will have soaked into the bread.
Over medium heat in a skillet, or on a griddle, heat equal parts butter and oil. If using a skillet, use about 1 Tablespoon of each. If using a griddle, use 2 Tablespoons of each.
Fry bread slices 3-4 minutes per side or until golden. Serve immediately or transfer to a wire rack placed over a baking tray in a preheated 200˚F oven to keep warm.
Wipe skillet or griddle, and repeat adding butter and oil, to fry remaining French toast.
Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

*It is easiest to leave the bread out overnight to dry. Stale or dry bread works best so that it will not fall apart when the egg mixture is applied.

Use a blender to prepare the custard filling for a smooth, aerated batter that will produce a crispy outer coating.
If your French toast does become soggy, bake it in the oven or pop in the toaster to dry a bit.
Oil has a higher burning point than butter, so using the combination of both prevents burning while still adding that delicious buttery flavor.
Wipe the skillet, or griddle, with a paper towel between cooking slices to avoid any charred bits.
Lower the heat if the pan is getting too hot.