Many of us love French toast which is browned and crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. It is not dry and it is not soggy. It has a rich, custard flavor (without being too eggy). French toast was developed as a way to eat day old French bread – dry right? Soak, brown in pan with butter, and then bake in oven to make crispy and puffy. The type of bread will determine how many slices you have and how long it is baked. Small French bread slices require less time and more slices to satisfy the hunger. Brioche is a French bread with a high egg and butter content. It is perfect for French toast as it is nice and thick, and soaks in the perfect amount of egg. You can actually taste the richness of the bread when you bite into it. If you can’t find brioche, buy a challah (another egg bread).
Some folks have come up with recipes for all kinds of variations of French toast that usually include more fat and sugar. Here’s a healthy way to enjoy your French toast breakfast: a topping of fresh fruits with a little maple syrup. It’s not really a recipe but just my point of view. I suggest you use whatever is in season and available in your market. Berries, bananas, grapes, orange slices, or melons are a sweet and refreshing way to start your day. Today I’m discussing what I call Florida French toast with a classic French toast recipe topped with sliced bananas, strawberries, and a little kiwi. If your fruit is naturally sweet, you don’t need to add sugar. Late winter is when the Florida strawberries are plentiful. They are a cool weather crop here and would not do well in our hot, humid summers. I do love strawberries.
DAIRY-FREE NOTE:
If you know someone who cannot eat dairy (i.e. milk, butter, cheese), I once had French toast made with fresh orange juice instead of milk. Quite a departure from the classic French toast. It was amazing!
March is when the big Strawberry Festival is held. They should have cancelled it this year but didn’t. Florida Strawberry Festival is still a go for March 4-14 in Plant City, Florida. Due to ongoing pandemic concerns, the 2021 Florida Strawberry Festival has been scaled back and big-name concert acts on the Wish Farms Sound Stage have been cancelled. I certainly won’t be going, but there are plenty of foolish people running around Florida right now. Wait for another year before coming to visit us. Stay safe.
French Toast Florida Style
Use organic when available. Makes 6 servings
French Toast Florida Style
Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche or challah cut into 1" slices
- 3 whole eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of sugar
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 medium bananas sliced
- 1/2 pint fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- 2 kiwi peeled and sliced
- maple syrup
- optional substitute berries for bananas and kiwi
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C)
- Slice brioche into six 1" slices
- In large bowl whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt
- Place sliced bread in milk-egg mixture to soak (about 4 minutues)
- Turn and soak other side
- Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium heat
- Brown soaked bread about 3 minutes each side
- Complete in batches; add more butter if needed
- Remove browned toast to shallow baking dish
- Bake in oven until puffy and crisp (time depends on size of bread slices at 5 minutes up to 10 minutes)
- Optional sprinkle with confectioners sugar
- Serve topped with sliced fruit and maple syrup
Enjoy!
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We just love brioche. Your Florida version of French toast sounds most yummy Carol.
…covered with goodness.
Yum yum yum
And healthful too!
I absolutely love French Toast…………anytime of the day.
You don’t need the milk when making French toast ( most of the time I don’t use milk) but if you want, you can substitute something else in place of the whole milk. You can use cashew or almond milk. Can also use soy, light coconut milk or any plant based milk that you prefer.
The thing that really makes this no milk French toast recipe work is the eggs. You just can’t get a good custard base without the eggs.
Enjoy your day & have Great evening. Today Is A Good Day To Have A Good Day so enjoy it & embrace it.
have a beautiful day!
That sounds much like my French toast — don’t you love fruit on French toast? It feels so healthy and makes up for the other part!
I’m not surprised you have similar tastes in French Toast and fruit – it is wonderful!
I love French toast and I’m going to try your french toast. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope that you’ll stop by again.
Cruisin Paul
I am on a no-sugar diet, but I cheat every once in a while. I love French toast, especially with fruit. This looks delicious! I am going to keep this recipe in mind for the next time my grandchildren sleep over. They love French toast with fruit too.
I don’t eat sweets often but occasionally I reward myself. It’s hard to be fresh fruit with French toast. Take care.
I’ve never baked French toast after browning it. I’ll have to give this a try! Thanks so much for sharing this at our Party in Your PJs link party.
YUM, looks good! My Floridian grandbabies would love that recipe, their Grammy sure does!!
thanks!
I often make French toast but we always eat it straight after it’s been fried. I’ve never heard of putting it in the oven afterwards but will definitely give it a try. The orange juice tip is interesting too :o)
#MMBC
I read about the baking on a blog by a professional chef who said all restaurants do it for that crisp outside and soft inside. So I gave it a try and it does work.
Now I know what I want for breakfast. Would not of thought about topping it off in the oven. Thank you for sharing on the Classy Flamingos.
Your French Toast looks amazing, Carol. French Toast is definitely a favourite of mine and I love it served with fruit. I was interested to read about the Orange Juice option as well. I can imagine that must have tasted really interesting! Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party Community. I hope you are having a good weekend!
I always enjoy visiting you and appeciate your kind words. Hope spring is a wonderful for you.