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Homemade pain perdu French toast topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce on a warm wooden kitchen table.

French Toast

This indulgent French toast, also known as pain perdu, features thick brioche soaked in a rich vanilla-cinnamon custard, coated with brown sugar, and cooked in butter until golden and caramelized. It is served warm with homemade caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream, confectioners’ sugar, and an elegant crispy spaghetti garnish.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 5
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: French
Calories: 750

Ingredients
  

For the Custard Mixture
  • 250 ml heavy cream
  • 150 ml whole milk
  • 50 g sugar
  • 5 ml liquid vanilla extract
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 g ground cinnamon
For Cooking
  • 100 g butter
  • 400 g brown sugar
For Serving
  • 200 ml homemade caramel sauce
  • 20 g confectioners’ sugar
  • 250 g vanilla ice cream
  • 5 fried spaghetti sticks for decoration

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Bread knife & cutting board
  • Large non-stick frying pan
  • Small saucepan (for frying the garnish)
  • Spatula or tongs
  • Paper towels

Method
 

Prepare the Custard
  1. In a large bowl, combine the milk, cream, granulated sugar, egg yolks, cinnamon, and vanilla.
  2. Whisk vigorously until the yolks are fully incorporated and the sugar has completely dissolved.
  3. Set this mixture aside.
Prepare the Brioche
  1. Take your brioche loaf and trim off the outer crusts.
  2. Slice the bread into very thick portions (approximately 1.5 to 2 inches thick).
  3. You want them thick so they can soak up the liquid without falling apart.
Soak the Bread
  1. Place the brioche slices into the custard mixture.
  2. Flip them several times to ensure the liquid penetrates deep into the center of the bread.
  3. Let them soak for a minute or two while you heat the pan.
Caramelize and Fry
  1. Heat a large frying pan over medium-low heat and melt a generous knob of butter.
  2. Take the soaked bread and press all sides (including the edges) into a plate of brown sugar.
  3. Place the bread in the pan.
  4. Fry slowly, flipping occasionally, until every side has a deep, golden-brown caramelized crust.
  5. Remove from the pan and set on a plate.
Prepare the Garnish
  1. Heat a small amount of oil in a saucepan.
  2. Break the dry spaghetti strands in half and fry them for a few seconds until they turn golden brown.
  3. Remove immediately and drain on a paper towel.
Plating
  1. Place the caramelized toast in the center of the plate.
  2. Top with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  3. Gently press the fried spaghetti into the ice cream for height and texture.
  4. Dust the entire plate with powdered sugar.
  5. Drizzle generously with caramel sauce.
  6. Finish by decorating with fresh strawberries and blueberries.

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