French Toast {Best Easy Recipe} - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published April 28, 2018. Updated April 17, 2020

French Toastis one of my favorite breakfast foods. My version has the perfect ratio of milk to eggs, and a bit of cream gives it a delicious richness. Plus it has plenty of vanilla and cinnamon for a flavor no one will be able to resist. And when you start with a bakery loaf of homemade-style bread you know it’s going to be amazing!

The Best French Toast Recipe!

I’ve been making homemade french toast since I was probably 7 years old, so I’d hope by now that I’ve been able to perfect it. This cinnamon french toast recipe is melt-in-your mouth tender and just oh so irresistible especially when slathered with butter and drenched with maple syrup!

This is a go-to weekend breakfast at our house and everyone gets excited when they wake up and smell that cinnamon flavor in the air. Who could resist this diner-style breakfast?

Classic French Toast Ingredients

Classic french toast requires just a handful of pantry staples to make, which is why it’s so important that you buy high-quality ingredients. Here’s what goes into this homemade french toast recipe:

• French bread, brioche or sourdough bread– good hearty, fresh bread is key to great French toast.
• Milk – I prefer whole milk but any of the others will work if you just substitute with an extra tablespoon or two of cream.
• Cream– most french toast recipes just use milk but the addition of cream really sets this recipe apart. It makes it nice and rich.
• Eggs– I find four to be the perfect amount, just enough to set without being overbearing.
• Cinnamon– a must for classic french toast! It adds that nostalgic, deliciously spiced flavor we crave.
• Sugar– only a little is needed here since a lot of the sweetness will come form the syrup.
• Vanilla – this adds a lot of flavor to an otherwise neutral custard mix.
• Butter – needed for greasing the griddle.
• Maple syrup– splurge with real maple syrup. Or try it with coconut syrup or blueberry syrup.

How to Make French Toast

• First preheat a non-stick electric griddle or a non-stick griddle on the stove-top (over medium-low). Even non-stick skillets work but you’ll want to use a few.
• Cut the bread into slices. I usually cut about 3/4 to 1 inch thick.

• Whisk together the eggs and cinnamon in a rectangular shallow dish (whisk vigorously so it the cinnamon will blend and scrape the sides of the dish as it sticks). I like to mix the eggs and cinnamon together first because then all the cinnamon doesn’t just float right to the top as much while dipping slices.

• Then whisk in milk, cream, sugar and vanilla.

• Dip bread slices in egg mixture. The length of time you let them rest in the custard/batter mixture varies depending on the type of bread and how quickly it absorbs. Challah and Texas toast will likely only need a brisk dip on each side while country French bread and sourdough will need a few seconds to soak.
• If you find that the slices absorbed a little too much liquid you can gently squeeze the sides inward like squeezing a sponge.

• Cook the slices: Transfer the slices to a buttered griddle (butter the griddle immediately before adding slices or it will burn).
• Cook until golden brown on bottom about 2 – 3 minutes then flip and continue to cook 2 – 3 minutes longer. Cook time will vary with every brand/model of griddle so just keep an eye on them. And if cooking on the stove they may cook pretty quick.
• Then serve warm with your favorite maple syrup.

Watch How Easy it is to Prepare:

What’s the Best Bread for French Toast?

For best results, you’ll want to use a bakery bread or homemade bread here versus the factory made down the bread isle. The best options include:

• hearty country French bread (not those feather light airy loafs, we’re talking the sturdy stuff)
• Sourdough bread
• Challah
• Brioche (which is what’s pictured here).

If you can’t find any of those I’ve also used a hearty white bread or Texas toast (which you’ll find down the bread isle), they just don’t have that fresh homemade flavor. But the’ll still make pretty delicious french toast if that’s what you can find.

What to Serve with French Toast

This easy french toast recipe pairs well with almost any breakfast side. A few of my favorite sides to serve with this homemade french toast include:

• Hash browns or breakfast potatoes
• Fresh fruit or fruit salad
• Oven cooked bacon
• Breakfast sausage or ham
• Scrambled or sunny side eggs

Can I Make the Batter in Advance?

Yes the batter/custard mixture can be made a day before and stored in the refrigerator. Just stir again before dipping.

Can I Freeze French Toast?

Yes these slices can be frozen. To do so:

• Lay sheets of parchment or wax paper between slices so they don’t stick.
• Store in a resealable bag or aluminum foil.
• Store in freezer up to 1 month.

Reheat in a toaster for a few minutes. Or reheaton a baking sheet in preheated 375 degree F oven, cover with foil, bake until heated through (about 8 – 10 minutes).

Tips for the Best French Toast

• Since the bread is the main ingredient of the french toast just be sure to start out with delicious bread.
• You don’t want to use bread that was made just that day, let it rest in a sealed bag for a day or two first (I also love to do this because it softens up the crust on an otherwise harder to slice messy crusty loaf).
• You can often even buy day old bread in the reduce price section at the bakery.

More French Toast Recipes You’ll Love:

• Overnight French Toast Casserole– perfect for holidays.
• Baked French Toast Sticks – no forks required and kids love these.
• Pumpkin French Toast– perfect fall recipe.
• Eggnog French Toast – delicious winter recipe.
• Banana Stuffed French Toast– you’ll love that crunchy coating!
• Nutella Stuffed French Toast with Strawberries – delicious weekend splurge!