Welcome to the most decadent, delicious breakfast you’ll ever make. This brioche French toast recipe creates slices that are unbelievably rich, with a dreamy, custardy center and perfectly crisp, golden-brown edges. It’s a simple, restaurant-quality breakfast that turns any weekend morning into a special occasion. Forget everything you thought you knew about French toast; this is the one you’ll make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Brioche French Toast Recipe
This isn’t just another breakfast recipe. This is an experience. Here’s why this recipe is truly the best:
- Unbelievably Rich Texture: The combination of thick-cut brioche and a creamy custard creates a texture that’s pure luxury—soft and custardy inside, with a satisfyingly crisp exterior.
- Simple, High-Quality Ingredients: You only need a handful of basic ingredients to create this spectacular dish. The magic is in the method.
- Perfect for Special Occasions: Whether it’s a holiday morning, a birthday brunch, or just a lazy Sunday, this recipe feels celebratory.
- Foolproof Method: We’re sharing all the pro tips to ensure you get perfect, non-soggy results every single time.
The Secret to Perfect French Toast: Why Brioche?
The choice of bread is the single most important factor in making great French toast, and brioche is the undisputed champion. Unlike regular sandwich bread, brioche is an enriched dough, meaning it’s made with a high content of eggs and butter. This gives it a tender, cake-like crumb and a rich flavor that stands up beautifully to the custard soak.
Fresh vs. Stale Brioche
For the best texture, use brioche that is a day or two old. Slightly stale, drier bread acts like a sponge, eagerly soaking up the egg mixture without becoming overly saturated and falling apart. Fresh, soft brioche can become soggy much more quickly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, classic ingredients to create its signature rich flavor. The quality of your ingredients will truly shine through.
- Thick-Cut Brioche Bread: The star of the show. Aim for slices that are about ¾ to 1-inch thick.
- Large Eggs: They form the base of our rich custard.
- Heavy Cream & Whole Milk: Using a combination of both creates the perfect balance of richness without being too heavy.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a touch for sweetness, as the toppings will add more.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds essential warmth and depth of flavor.
- Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These warming spices are classic for a reason and complement the eggy bread perfectly.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Unsalted Butter: For pan-frying, providing incredible flavor and a golden-brown crust.
How to Make the Best Brioche French Toast
Brioche French Toast Recipe (The Absolute Best)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large, shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until completely smooth and combined.
- Briefly dip one slice of brioche into the custard for 15-20 seconds per side. Do not over-soak. Allow any excess custard to drip off.
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place the soaked brioche in the pan and cook for 2-4 minutes per side, until golden-brown and crisp. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches.
- Serve immediately with your favorite toppings like maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh berries.
Notes
Tip 2: Cook on medium-low heat to ensure the inside cooks through before the outside burns.
Tip 3: Keep finished slices warm on a wire rack in a 200°F (95°C) oven while you cook the remaining batches.
Making this brioche French toast is a simple three-step process. The key is to work efficiently and not to let the bread soak for too long.
Step 1: Prepare the Custard
In a large, shallow dish (a pie plate or baking dish works perfectly), whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform, with no streaks of egg white remaining. This ensures every slice of bread gets an even coating.
Step 2: Soak the Brioche
This is the most critical step! Brioche is like a sponge and soaks up liquid very quickly. Place a slice of brioche in the custard and let it soak for just 15-20 seconds per side. You want the custard to penetrate the bread but not make it completely saturated and fragile. The center should still have some firmness. Let any excess custard drip off before moving to the pan.
Step 3: Cook to Golden Perfection
Melt a tablespoon of butter in a large non-stick skillet or on a griddle over medium-low heat. Once the butter is foaming, carefully place the soaked brioche slices in the pan, ensuring you don’t overcrowd them. Cook for 2-4 minutes per side, until the surface is a deep golden brown and beautifully crisp. Flip carefully with a thin spatula and cook the other side. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results
- Don’t Over-Soak! This is the #1 rule for brioche. A quick dip is all you need to avoid a soggy mess.
- Medium-Low Heat is Key: High heat will burn the outside of your French toast before the custard in the center has a chance to cook through. Be patient for that perfect color and texture.
- Wipe the Pan Between Batches: Small bits of butter or custard can burn. Quickly wipe the skillet with a paper towel and add fresh butter for each new batch.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Give the slices space to cook evenly. Cooking in batches ensures every piece gets that perfect, crispy crust.
- Keep Slices Warm: If you’re making a large batch, you can keep the finished French toast warm on a wire rack set on a baking sheet in a preheated 200°F (95°C) oven.
Serving Suggestions & Topping Ideas
The beauty of this classic brioche French toast recipe is that it’s a perfect canvas for your favorite toppings. From simple and classic to over-the-top decadent, the options are endless.
| Topping Style | Ideas |
|---|---|
| The Classic | A pat of butter, a generous drizzle of real maple syrup, and a dusting of powdered sugar. |
| Fruity & Fresh | Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), sliced bananas, or a warm fruit compote. |
| Rich & Decadent | A dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, or toasted nuts. |
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
While brioche French toast is undeniably best when served fresh, leftovers can still be delicious if stored and reheated properly.
How to Store
Allow the French toast to cool completely to room temperature. Store slices in an airtight container or zip-top bag, with a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking, for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
How to Reheat
For the best texture, avoid the microwave as it can make the toast soggy. The best way to reheat is in a toaster oven or a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes, until warmed through and re-crisped. You can also pop them right into your toaster!
Frequently Asked Questions
While you can use fresh brioche, day-old or slightly stale brioche is highly recommended. It’s firmer and less moist, allowing it to soak up the perfect amount of custard without falling apart or becoming mushy.
Very briefly! For ¾ to 1-inch thick slices of brioche, a quick soak of 15-20 seconds per side is plenty. Any longer and you risk the bread becoming overly saturated and difficult to handle.
Both are excellent choices! Brioche is a French bread enriched with eggs and a lot of butter, making it incredibly rich and tender. Challah is a Jewish bread enriched with eggs and oil (but no dairy), giving it a slightly less rich but wonderfully chewy and airy texture.
Soggy French toast is usually caused by over-soaking the bread or using bread that is too fresh. Brioche is very absorbent, so it only needs a quick 15-20 second dip per side. Using day-old, slightly drier bread also helps prevent sogginess.
More Breakfast Recipes to Try
If you loved this decadent breakfast, you’ll adore some of our other favorites. For a different but equally delicious bread, try our classic Challah French toast. If you’re feeding a crowd, this make-ahead French toast casserole is a lifesaver. And for something truly indulgent, you have to make our fan-favorite cream cheese stuffed French toast.
The Best Brioche French Toast Recipe
This brioche French toast recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a simple pleasure that brings a little luxury to your breakfast table. It’s a testament to how a few simple, quality ingredients can create something truly special. We hope you love making it as much as we do. If you try it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think! And don’t forget to save it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
