Classic French Toast

Aug 10, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Breakfast Pancakes waffles french toast Vanilla: Extract Easy

A stack of thick golden slices of classic french toast on a plate, dusted with powdered sugar

Thick-cut bread slices soaked in a rich vanilla and cinnamon custard, pan-fried to golden perfection with a buttery crust. A quintessential breakfast favorite.

Prep 10 min

Cook 15 min

Total 25 min

Servings 4

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

8.0 slices (240.0 g)day-old brioche or challah bread, cut thick
4.0 large (200.0 g)eggs
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)whole milk
2.0 tbsp (25.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
1.0 tsp (2.6 g)ground cinnamon
¼ tsp (1.5 g)fine sea salt
2.0 tbsp (28.0 g)unsalted butter

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and fine sea salt until fully combined and smooth.
Place the thick-cut bread slices in the custard mixture, allowing them to soak for about 1 minute per side. For best results, use day-old or slightly stale bread to prevent sogginess.
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add half of the unsalted butter. Allow it to melt and foam but not brown.
Carefully transfer the soaked bread slices to the skillet in a single layer, cooking until the bottoms are golden brown and firm, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Flip each slice and cook the other side until equally golden and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes more. Adjust heat as needed to avoid burning.
Add the remaining butter to the skillet and repeat with any remaining bread slices, wiping out excess butter if necessary.
Serve the French toast immediately, optionally topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar, or fresh fruit.

Tips

Use day-old bread to ensure the slices absorb the custard without falling apart.
Enhance vanilla flavor by substituting pure vanilla extract with 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make classic french toast?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 4 servings.

How should I store classic french toast?

Store any leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or toaster oven to maintain crispness.

Can I make classic french toast ahead?

Mix the custard the night before and refrigerate, then soak and cook bread fresh in the morning.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Thick-cut bread slices soaked in a rich vanilla and cinnamon custard, pan-fried to golden perfection with a buttery crust. A quintessential breakfast favorite.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 4 servings this recipe makes.

396 Calories / serving

20.3g Fat

38.9g Carbs

14.2g Protein

15.8g Sugar

Whole recipe (4 servings): ~1584 cal · 81g fat · 156g carbs · 57g protein · 63g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 396 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 75 min·4.4 mi·~8800 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 54 min·2.7 mi·~5400 steps
Moderate cycling 40 min·8.0 mi
Swimming laps 55 min
Jogging 39 min·3.3 mi·~6250 steps
Stair climbing 37 min·~3350 steps
Dancing 64 min
Bodyweight circuit training 40 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 92 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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