© 2024 WKNO FM
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

French Toast for an Easy and Tasty Christmas Brunch

Justin Fox Burks

After the gifts are opened on Christmas morning … it's time to sit down to a delicious Christmas brunch.  What to serve is always the question.  My number one advice to is make sure it is something not only delicious but simple to prepare.

There is nothing better than French toast for Sunday breakfast … which in my opinion makes it the perfect dish for Christmas morning.

French toast is so easy that even a ten year old can make it. In fact, my go-to recipe was taught to me by a ten year old!  

French Toast can be made with many types of bread - white, whole wheat, sourdough or even French.  Egg breads like challah and brioche add richness. Cinnamon-raisin bread adds a fun touch.

Listen to what bread Jody Moyt, chef at Lafayette’s Music Room, uses:

“At Lafayette’s, we make our French Toast with Banana Bread and top it with peanut butter caramel.”

For extra flavor for your French toast, add ingredients like cinnamon and vanilla to the custard.  A bit of orange zest and a dash of orange liqueur offers a festive touch as well as substituting egg nog for the milk.

Here are a few tips for perfect French Toast:

Mix the custard thoroughly. You don’t want pieces of egg white showing up on your perfectly browned slices. Make sure to whisk the custard until the milk, eggs, and spices are well combined.

Work in batches, soaking only as many slices of bread as will fit in your skillet in a single layer. This will keep the bread from getting too soggy while it waits to go in the pan.

And according to that 10-year old who shared his recipe, Owen says that you know the French toast is ready when it is “crispy as a doughnut” on both sides.

Owen’s French Toast

This recipe is so easy that even a ten year old can make it. In fact, this recipe was taught to me by a ten year old!  Kudos to my friend Ashley Woodman for teaching her children to cook. Some of my favorite memories from meals are ones where my children helped me prepare them.  Try it out with this recipe.  And remember, Owen says that you know the French toast is ready when it is “crispy as a doughnut” on both sides.

  • 4  large eggs
  • 1/2 cup 2% or whole milk
  • 4 slices white bread
  • Non-stick cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well blended.  Place the slices of bread into the egg mixture and turn until both sides are well covered.  

Generously spray a nonstick skillet with the cooking spray. Heat the pan over medium heat. Place the bread slices in the pan and cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, about 6 to 7 minutes per side.

To serve, place the French toast on a plate and sift powdered sugar over the top.

Serves 2 to 4.

Recipes reprinted with permission from The Southern Pantry Cookbook by Jennifer Chandler.
 

Jennifer Chandler graduated at the top of her class from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. She is a full-time mom to two daughters in Memphis, Tennessee, and is a freelance food writer, restaurant consultant, and author of four cookbooks The Southern Pantry Cookbook, Simply Salads, Simply Suppers, and Simply Grilling.