Ah, French toast. A breakfast classic that is loved by many, and a dish that has been around for centuries. The history of French toast dates back to the time of the Romans, who used a mixture of milk, eggs, and spices to soak their bread slices before cooking them. The first published recipe for French toast appears in Apicius, a collection of Roman recipes from the 4th or 5th century. The French, of course, adopted the dish and named it “pain perdu,” which translates to “lost bread,” because it was a way to use up stale bread.
Today, French toast is a dish that is enjoyed around the world, and there are countless variations of it. But nothing beats a classic baked French toast that is served with a delicious array of garnishes. Here’s a recipe for a delicious baked French toast that’s sure to please everyone at the breakfast table.
What You’ll Need For Baked French Toast:
- 8 slices of thick white bread, ideally it’s a little stale. If you don’t have stale bread, slice it the night before and leave it out. Stale bread will allow for the mix to really soak into the bread.
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups of milk
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
Kitchen Equipment Needed:
- Large baking dish
- Whisk
- Medium bowl
- Medium saucepan
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a large baking dish with some butter.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is well combined.
- Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, making sure to coat both sides.
- Place the soaked slices of bread into the greased baking dish.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, pour the butter over the soaked slices of bread.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the French toast is golden brown.
- Serve the French toast hot, with a selection of garnishes such as syrup, honey, butter, jam, or fresh fruit.
Garnishes:
- Maple syrup
- Honey
- Butter
- Jam
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries (such as blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries)
This baked French toast recipe is sure to be a hit at your next breakfast gathering. With a few simple ingredients and a few minutes in the oven, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying breakfast. Bon Appétit!