Vanilla Bean French Toast - Easy Recipe

I've made a lot of variations of today's dish throughout the years, but now we're going back to basics with this Vanilla Bean French Toast - Easy Recipe that you can make in a pinch for any occasion. The best things in life shouldn't be complicated.

In case you were looking up French Toast recipes and stumbled upon our site, or you've been a dedicated LTG reader for the past decade, you know that French Toast can be made with any day-old bread you might have in the pantry. It is one of those indulgent treats that you can create from simple ingredients, all of which are either pantry staples or readily available at your local supermarket. And that simplicity is what gives this recipe part of its charm.

Our French Toast starts off with a simple custard that we bring together with cream, eggs, and whole milk, seasoned with vanilla and cinnamon. Traditionally, the 'toast' portion of French Toast is made from Challah bread or Brioche, which is what we're using today. These two loaves are on the sweeter side, and have a lovely airy-yet-hearty consistency, making them perfect for soaking up the custard, and then holding together through frying on the griddle pan.

Below, we'll be sharing some of our tips on serving the most delicious French Toast, so that you can bring together the perfect breakfast. In addition, we'll also be discussing uses for our delightful blueberry compote, which can be enjoyed with a plethora of other dishes and desserts. Keep reading for our recipe notes, serving suggestions, and of course, the printable recipe card too!

Homemade Blueberry Compote

Is it a sauce? A compote? Or a jam? Well, here's a quick breakdown of those three categories that some often inquire about.

• A fruit sauce is usually smooth and pourable. You can drizzle it over cakes, ice cream, pancakes, French toast, waffles, yogurt bowls...you get the idea.
• A fruit compote is usually thicker than a sauce and is chunky. You don't puree the compote like you would a sauce. Still, it is served just as you would serve a sauce.
• Finally, a fruit jam is thick and spreadable, usually smooth as well, unlike a fruit preserve. Jams are thickened with pectin or gelatin. They are served on sandwiches, toast, or can be stirred into yogurts or oatmeal.

There's a quick breakdown of the different types of fruit condiments, and now, with that out of the way, let's redirect our attention to today's blueberry compote.

You can use almost any fruit on hand for a compote- raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, peaches, or cherries. The best part is that it takes only a few minutes to make, and you can store it in a jar for over a week when kept properly.

It takes a minimal amount of effort but truly elevates so many dishes, not just today's breakfast.

Ingredient Checklist – What You Need for Vanilla Bean French Toast

• 1 loaf Brioche - This sweet French bread is a cross between leavened bread and a pastry bun. It has a tender crumb that's sweet and rich due to its butter and egg base. Traditional Brioche creates the best French toast, so be sure to go to the bakery if you want a really hearty and memorable breakfast.
  • Substitutions: Like brioche, challah is an enriched bread that is the closest substitution. Challah is a Jewish bread, so it is pareve (not made with dairy), but it does contain eggs and sugar. Alternatively, you can use other heartier loaves such as sourdough, bakery-style white bread, or even croissants if you're feeling extra fancy. I do not recommend thin-sliced or sandwich bread for French Toast, as they just won't hold up.
  • Tip 1: The trick to French Toast is not to soak the bread in the custard to the point where it falls apart or becomes soggy. I have found over the years three ways to ensure perfect toast each time, where the slices hold the richness of the custard but are still light yet crispy on the exterior. First, make sure your bread is stale. The drier the bread, the easier it will soak up the custard. If you don't have day-old bread on hand, simply slice the loaf and let it sit out overnight to dry it out a little for breakfast the next day.
  • Tip 2: Line a baking sheet with the sliced bread and brush the slices first on both sides completely. With whatever custard that is left over, drizzle evenly between each slice and let the bread absorb. I prefer this method over dipping the slices in the custard, where they can get a little oversaturated, and you might also run out of custard before each slice is absorbed.
  • Tip 3: Thick slices of bread are key. Slice the loaf into 1-inch-thick slices. This helps the toast to hold up better, so you don't run the risk of soggy bread that may fall apart. It will also help achieve a crispy exterior when you cook it on the griddle.

• 1 cup heavy cream - I have tried a variety of different custards for French toast over the years. I've made thinner, whole milk-based custards and dairy-free custards as well. While these variations can work, there's just something about the traditional cream custard that gives extra flavor to this dish, not just that, but it absorbs better into the pastry bread.
• ½ cup whole milk - Adding milk helps to balance the richness of the custard but also stretches it without thinning it too much.
• 2 eggs - I have found that two eggs are the perfect amount for this batch. Eggs bind the mixture and add structure to the dish. When it comes to custard, this is a crucial ingredient, so don't skip it.
• 2 tablespoons melted butter - Unsalted butter is recommended so you have complete control over the salt content. I never cook or bake with salted butter. You'll need more butter as well for cooking.
• 3 tablespoons white sugar - A little sweetness goes a long way. I like white sugar here, but you can also use brown sugar for a little bit of depth to the flavor and color. However, I wanted the vanilla to be the stand-out flavor.
• ½ vanilla bean pod - Since we're pulling out all the stops here, I opted for a fresh vanilla bean pod to bring out the best flavor- this is my secret ingredient.
  • Substitutions: If you don't have vanilla bean on hand, vanilla paste is a great substitution, or just good ol' vanilla extract. Here is a great guide on how to substitute vanilla.
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon - Naturally, French toast needs cinnamon. This extra warmth plays well into the fragrant vanilla.
• Pinch of salt - A dash, a pinch, a scant amount of salt, but just enough to bring out the flavors and sweetness. Like with baking, salt is important because it is a flavor enhancer.

What to serve with French Toast

1. Fruit compote - As discussed at the start of the post, fruit compote is a delicious topping for French toast, waffles, and pancakes. It is so easy to make and a great way to use up any old fruit or berries you might have lying around.
2. Maple syrup - This is a classic topping. I like warming my maple syrup before serving. Something about hot maple just hits differently. If you don't have maple syrup, you can also use agave, monk fruit, or honey.
3. Confectioner's sugar - Powdered sugar for eye appeal. It's the perfect finishing touch and elevates the dish so you feel like you've gone out to eat. Since we're on the topic of toppings, ground cinnamon is also a nice idea if you don't wish to add powdered sugar.
4. Fruit Salad - If you're planning on making this for a special occasion like a spring brunch, a bright spread is a must. Think something refreshing to balance the richness of the toast, like melon salad or orange salad!
5. Drinks - Something cool and refreshing, like our recent Green Tea Slushie would be a wonderful pairing. If you're craving something warm, however, our Chai Tea Latte will also please the palate. For more ideas, check out our article on the best morning drinks to start your day just right.

And there you have it. A concise yet comprehensive breakdown of our blueberry compote and French toast, along with pairing and serving notes. Now for the recipe card that you can save for later, and be sure to check out our video tutorial below as well.

Video for Vanilla Bean French Toast

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And that’s our Vanilla Bean French Toast! If you enjoyed this recipe, or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you!

Happy Cooking!

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