French toast, with its golden crust and custardy interior, is a breakfast or brunch classic. Adding cinnamon elevates this dish to a whole new level of warmth and flavor. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home cook, these 10 tips will help you create the perfect cinnamon French toast every time. The French chef Jean-Adrien Buniazet shares his own recipe that he used to serve at his Parisian restaurant, Chinaski.
- Choose the Right Bread
- Perfect the Custard
- Balance the Sweetness
- Avoid Over-Soaking the Bread
- Cook at the Right Temperature
- Butter is Key
- Cook in Small Batches
- Experiment with Flavors
- Top It Off Right
- Serve Immediately
- Cinnamon French toast recipe
1. Choose the Right Bread
The foundation of excellent French toast lies in the bread. Thick-cut slices of brioche, challah, or day-old bread are ideal. These types absorb the custard well without becoming overly soggy, ensuring a rich and satisfying texture. Try several types of bread and choose your number one!
2. Perfect the Custard
The custard is the heart of French toast. Whisk together eggs, milk (or cream for extra decadence), vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. A standard ratio is one egg per 1/3 cup of liquid, which creates a custard that is neither too runny nor too thick.
3. Balance the Sweetness
While it’s tempting to load up the custard with sugar, remember that you’ll likely add sweet toppings later. Keep the sugar level moderate to allow the cinnamon and vanilla flavors to shine. You can use a low glycemic index such as coconut sugar, or less processed sugar such as soft brown sugar. Both have a sweeter taste than regular white sugar, so make sure to reduce their quantity if you use them.
4. Avoid Over-Soaking the Bread
The goal is to let the bread soak up the custard evenly without turning into a mushy mess. Dip each slice for about 20-30 seconds per side. Over-soaking can lead to soggy results that don’t hold up during cooking. The French chef Rivka Rohmer, owner of an only french toast restaurant in Paris, even let the bread dry for several hours after soaking. This allows the perfect texture and prevents any custard excess.
5. Cook at the Right Temperature
For his cinnamon French toast recipe, the chef uses a double cooking method. First, he fries the French toast on a skillet pan over medium-high heat. This ensures a golden, caramelized crust while avoiding a burnt exterior or an undercooked interior. Then, he cooks French toast in the oven, for about 10 minutes at 180°C (350°F). This will create a puffy, light and soft middle, as the oven heat activates the rising action of the eggs.
6. Butter is Key
Use a mix of butter and a neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, for frying. Butter enhances the flavor, while the oil prevents it from burning too quickly. As you fry the French toast, the butternut will slightly caramelize, giving a deeper and nutty touch to your cinnamon French toast.
7. Cook in Small Batches
Crowding the skillet can lead to uneven cooking and steaming rather than frying. Work in small batches and keep the finished slices warm in a low oven until you’re ready to serve. For this reason, we do not recommend serving cinnamon French toast for a large group, as it will take a bit of time to cook everything evenly…
8. Experiment with Flavors
Cinnamon is a must, but don’t stop there. Add a hint of orange or lemon zest to your custard, chocolate or sprinkle. You can also add all sorts of spices : cardamom, cloves, ginger… Let your creativity speak !
9. Top It Off Right
The toppings make all the difference. Classic choices include powdered sugar, maple syrup, and fresh berries. For a creative twist, try whipped cream, a drizzle of honey, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
10. Serve Immediately
French toast is at its best when served hot and fresh from the skillet. If you’re making a large batch, keep the slices warm by placing them on a baking sheet in a 200°F (100°C) oven until ready to serve.
Cinnamon French toast recipe with a chef
Ingredients for cinnamon French toast:
- 100 ml heavy cream (30% fat)
- 100 ml milk
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or mixed spices)
- 4 slices of stale bread
- Butter for cooking
- Optional: powdered sugar and fresh fruit for serving
Instructions for cinnamon French toast:
1. Prepare the Custard Mixture : In a bowl, whisk together the egg, brown sugar, cinnamon, cream, and milk until well combined.
2. Soak the Bread : Dip each slice of stale bread into the custard mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated. Let them soak for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.
3. Cook the French Toast : Heat a knob of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once melted and hot, place the soaked bread slices into the skillet. Cook each side for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and then put in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes.
4. Serve : Remove from the skillet and serve immediately. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh fruit.
This cinnamon French toast offers a delightful twist on the classic recipe, infusing warm spices for an enhanced flavor experience.
By following these 10 tips et recipe, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of cinnamon French toast. Whether you’re cooking for a special brunch or simply indulging in a cozy breakfast at home, this dish is sure to impress. Enjoy the rich flavors, and don’t be afraid to get creative with your toppings and spices !
