French Toast: 4 Ways

Who doesn't love brunch? With the holidays at our fingertips, I'm getting so excited for two of my favorite meals of the year - Christmas morning or New Year's Day brunch! That being said, French toast is among my top 5 breakfast foods. I thought it would be fun to list a few different ways I like to make it at home. These recipes will be great as a main course or as a side dish in your brunch buffet! Either way, your family is sure to enjoy any of these amazing French toast recipes. Here is French Toast: 4 Ways!

Classic French Toast

You can never go wrong with the classics! They are classics for a reason, and in my opinion, you need to master the original dish before you move on to make it your own.

Fun fact: French toast did not originate in France. The dish dates all the way back to the Roman empire, but versions of this amazing bread recipe were used throughout Europe for centuries. It wasn't until the 17th century England when the term "French Toast" appeared for the first time. This term was later brought to America where the dish was popularized. In France, the dish is actually called "pain perdu" which translates to lost bread, and it's a dessert rather than a breakfast dish. The more you know.

For the most part, the base of French toast batter is pretty consistent across the board. Eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract are whisked into a creamy batter that is soaked into the bread of your choosing.

​Prep Time: 5-10 min	​Cook Time: 20-25 min
​Cook Time: 15	Serves: 4

​Ingredients	Batter Ingredients
- 1 loaf bread of choice - sourdough or brioche is great for this. - maple syrup - powdered sugar	​​- 3 eggs - 1/2 cup of extra creamy oat milk - 1 tsp cinnamon - 1 tsp vanilla extract - 1 tbsp sugar - Optional: a little freshly grated nutmeg

Directions

1. Grab a large pan, and turn stove onto medium low heat.

2. Mix all batter ingredients together in a bowl.

3. Get your favorite bread, and slice into thick pieces - I usually do 1.5 inch slices.

4. Lay the sliced bread into the batter bowl, allowing each side of the bread to soak for 5-8 seconds.

5. Toss some butter into the pan, and swirl around to evenly coat the pan.

6. Lay bread into the pan and don't touch it for the first couple minutes. This will allow the bread to crispen on the edges.

7. Cook for a few minutes on each side until crispy and dark, golden brown. Each stove is different so pan attention to the bread. It may need less time to cook.

8. Serve immediately with maple syrup and powder sugar, if desired.

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Lemon Ricotta French Toast

Creamy, lemony French toast goodness. The ricotta crema is to die for. This dish packs a major punch, yet it's so simple!

​Prep Time: 10 min	​Total Time: 25 minutes
​Cook time: 15 min	​Serves: 4

Batter Ingredients	​Ricotta Crema Ingredients
- 3 eggs - 1/2 cup milk - I use extra creamy oatmilk - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract - 1.5 tbsp of sugar - zest of half a lemon - juice of half a lemon	- 1/4 cup Ricotta cheese - 1/8 cup of sour cream - juice of half a lemon - 1 tbsp sugar - 1 tbsp olive oil - I use a rosemary infused olive oil for this. - 1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Grab a large pan, and turn stove onto medium low heat.

2. Mix all batter ingredients together in a bowl.

3. Get your favorite bread, and slice into thick pieces - I usually do 1.5 inch slices.

4. Lay the sliced bread into the batter bowl, allowing each side of the bread to soak for 5-8 seconds.

5. Toss some butter into the pan, and swirl around to evenly coat the pan.

6. Lay bread into the pan and don't touch it for the first couple minutes. This will allow the bread to crispen on the edges.

7. Cook for a few minutes on each side until crispy and dark, golden brown. Each stove is different so pan attention to the bread. It may need less time to cook.

8. Ricotta Crema: While the toast is cooking, add all crema ingredients into a bowl. Spend a few minutes whisking the crema to get a smooth, creamy consistency.

9. Layer French toast on a platter, drizzle maple syrup, then spoon crema over the toast.

10. Optional: add some powdered sugar to finish it off.

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Cinnamon Apple French Toast

If the title doesn't sound amazing enough, this French toast recipe boasts a surprise ingredient that takes this dish to a whole new level.

​Prep Time: 10-15 min	​Total time: 35-40 min
Cook Time: 25 min	​Serves: 4

​Batter Ingredients	​Cinnamon Apple Topping
- 3 eggs - 1/2 cup creamy oat milk - 2 tsp cinnamon - 1 tbsp sugar - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract	​- 1 apple, diced - 1/8 cup brown sugar - 2 tsp cinnamon - 1/4 cup maple syrup - 3 strips of thick cut bacon.

Directions

1. On medium heat, cook 3 strips of thick cut bacon until crispy. Remove from heat and set aside, but save the pan for later.

2. Grab another large pan, and turn stove onto medium low heat.

3. Get your favorite bread, and slice into thick pieces - I usually do 1.5 inch slices.

4. Remove most of the bacon fat from the pan, but save a little, and turn pan down to medium low heat.

5. Lay the sliced bread into the batter bowl, allowing each side of the bread to soak for 5-10 seconds.

6. Cook for a few minutes on each side until crispy and dark, golden brown. Each stove is different so pan attention to the bread. It may need less time to cook.

7. While bread is toasting, heat pan used for bacon on medium low heat.

8. Toss in diced apple. let cook for a couple minutes, then add cinnamon and brown sugar.

9. Cook for another couple minutes, then add 1/4 cup maple syrup and remove from heat.

10. Chop bacon into tiny pieces.

To plate: Layer French toast on a platter. Ladle cinnamon apples over the toast, making sure to get plenty of syrup. Top with the tiny bacon pieces, and serve immediately.

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Blueberry Compote French Toast

Decadent yet refreshing, this French toast dish is sure to impress even the toughest critics.

Prep Time: 10-20 min	​Total Time: 30-40 min
Cook time: 20 min	Serves: 4

​Batter Ingredients	​Blueberry Compote	Whipped Goat Cheese
​- 3 eggs - 1/2 cup creamy oat milk or heavy whipping cream - 2 tbsp sugar - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp cinnamon	- 1 pint of blueberries - 1/4 cup sugar - 1/8 cup of water - quarter lemon	- 4 oz plain goat cheese - quarter lemon, squeezed - 1-2 tbsp extra creamy oatmilk

My suggestion would be to make the blueberry compote the night before if you want to jump right into making the French toast. This isn't necessary, but it will save you some time.

To make the compote: Combine all ingredients into a sauce pan over medium low heat. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently. You'll know it's finished when the liquid is a smooth syrup, yet there is plenty of blueberries still in tact.

Directions

1. Grab a large pan, and turn stove onto medium low heat.

2. Mix all batter ingredients together in a bowl.

3. Get your favorite bread, and slice into thick pieces - I usually do 1.5 inch slices.

4. Lay the sliced bread into the batter bowl, allowing each side of the bread to soak for 5-8 seconds.

5. Toss some butter into the pan, and swirl around to evenly coat the pan.

6. Lay bread into the pan and don't touch it for the first couple minutes. This will allow the bread to crispen on the edges.

7. Cook for a few minutes on each side until crispy and dark, golden brown. Each stove is different so pan attention to the bread. It may need less time to cook.

8. While the toast is cooking, add plain goat cheese, lemon juice, and 1 tbsp creamy oat milk. begin whisking. This may take some time to get the right consistency.

9. If too thick, add another tbsp of the oat milk.

To serve: Layer the French toast onto a platter. Spoon the blueberry compote over the toast, and finish off with a dusting of powdered sugar. Set on the table with the whipped goat cheese. Consider a dollop per serving of French toast.

As always, thank you for checking in! Please let me know if you give any of these French Toast recipes a try. Or try them all and let me know which is your favorite!

xx Lauren