Pain Perdu

Sep 19, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Breakfast Pancakes waffles french toast Vanilla: Paste Easy

A stack of thick golden slices of pain perdu on a plate, dusted with powdered sugar

Pain Perdu is a rich French toast made with brioche, soaked in a vanilla-infused custard, pan-fried to golden perfection and served warm with butter and syrup.

Prep 10 min

Cook 15 min

Total 25 min

Servings 4

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

8.0brioche slices about 3/4-inch (2 cm) 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)vanilla bean paste
½ tsp (1.3 g)ground cinnamon
¼ tsp (1.5 g)fine sea salt
2.0 tbsp (28.0 g)unsalted butter, for frying
maple syrup, for serving

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a shallow, wide bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla bean paste, ground cinnamon, and fine sea salt until fully combined.
Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add half the unsalted butter to melt.
Dip each brioche slice into the egg mixture, allowing it to soak for about 20 seconds per side until well saturated but not falling apart.
Place the soaked slices on the heated skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Add more butter as needed when cooking remaining slices.
Serve the pain perdu warm with maple syrup and additional butter if desired.

Tips

Use brioche bread at least a day old or lightly toasted to prevent sogginess during soaking.
Vanilla bean paste provides a strong, natural vanilla flavor with visible specks to enhance the traditional taste.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make pain perdu?

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

How should I store pain perdu?

Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven to restore crispness.

Can I make pain perdu ahead?

Prepare the custard mixture in advance and soak the bread just before cooking for best texture.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (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.

Pain Perdu is a rich French toast made with brioche, soaked in a vanilla-infused custard, pan-fried to golden perfection and served warm with butter and syrup.

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