Transform an ordinary morning into an extraordinary celebration with this exquisite Sunrise Sweet French Toast. Perfect for marking a special day or expressing heartfelt affection, this recipe promises a breakfast experience that’s both sweet and unforgettable.
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There’s something uniquely comforting and joyful about breakfast, and my heart holds a particularly special place for sweet breakfast recipes. It’s the kind of meal that sets a positive tone for the entire day, a little moment of indulgence before the rush begins. My children, I’ve noticed, share this sentiment wholeheartedly. If they had their way, our mornings would almost always feature a delightful spread of French toast, fluffy pancakes, or warm, tender muffins. The only exception is my youngest, who, with unwavering dedication, requests scrambled eggs every single day of the week, a testament to his simple yet consistent culinary preferences.
While most weekdays are a blur of hurried preparations and getting out the door, there are those precious moments when time allows for something more. These are the special occasions – a birthday, an anniversary, a holiday morning, or simply a weekend when you want to create lasting memories with loved ones. For such mornings, a basic breakfast simply won’t do. You need a recipe that transcends the ordinary, something truly special that feels like a treat. That’s where this Sunrise Sweet French Toast comes in. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience, designed to bring smiles and a touch of gourmet delight to your table.
The journey to creating this incredible Sweet French Toast began quite serendipitously. I discovered the original inspiration for what was dubbed “Cuban French Toast” on the back of a Kroger evaporated milk can. Intrigued by the concept, I carefully clipped the recipe, tucking it away for a future culinary adventure. Months later, when I finally decided to give it a try, I encountered my first hurdle: authentic Cuban bread, a cornerstone of the original recipe, proved elusive in my local area. I briefly considered the ambitious task of baking my own Cuban bread from scratch, but ultimately, the convenience and luxurious texture of a fresh loaf of brioche bread won out. This substitution was a game-changer. I made a few subtle adjustments to the original recipe to perfectly complement the brioche, and the result was nothing short of extraordinary. The brioche, with its rich, buttery, and slightly sweet profile, absorbed the custard beautifully, yielding a French toast that was tender on the inside and perfectly golden-crisp on the outside. It truly felt like a discovery, transforming a simple ingredient swap into a remarkable upgrade.
But what truly elevates this sweet French toast, setting it apart from any other I’ve ever tasted? It’s the delightful addition of sweetened condensed milk. My affinity for sweetened condensed milk on brioche isn’t new – in fact, it might be what subconsciously drew me to brioche for this recipe in the first place. There’s an undeniable magic in that thick, syrupy sweetness, offering a richness and depth of flavor that traditional maple syrup simply can’t replicate. Once you experience the creamy, velvety cascade of sweetened condensed milk over these warm, golden slices of French toast, you’ll understand. It adds a layer of indulgence that is utterly captivating, making it almost impossible to go back to plain French toast. Prepare to fall in love with this decadent topping; it’s a revelation that will forever change your French toast game.
Mastering the Art of Sweet French Toast
Creating the perfect Sunrise Sweet French Toast involves a few key techniques and considerations that can significantly enhance your final dish. These tips, gleaned from experience, will help you achieve that ideal balance of flavor and texture, ensuring every bite is as delicious as the last.
- **Choose the Right Cooking Surface: Griddle vs. Skillet.** When preparing this sweet French toast, I quickly discovered that a griddle is far superior to a regular skillet. While a skillet might work adequately for the initial few pieces, the sugar in the custard mixture tends to caramelize and, unfortunately, burn onto the pan surface over time. This leads to an uneven cook, with subsequent pieces potentially developing unwanted burnt sugar spots. A large griddle, however, allows you to cook multiple slices simultaneously, providing a consistent heat distribution across all pieces. This method not only prevents the sugar from burning but also ensures each slice achieves a beautiful, even golden-brown crust. If you’re in the market for an upgrade, this griddle is highly recommended for its performance and even heating capabilities.
- **The Importance of Stirring the Custard.** Unlike more traditional French toast recipes that often omit or minimize sugar, this special occasion recipe embraces sweetness. The custard base contains a generous amount of granulated sugar, which, if left undisturbed, will naturally settle at the bottom of your mixing bowl. To ensure that every slice of bread is evenly coated with this delicious, sugary mixture, it is crucial to stir the egg mixture every couple of dips. A quick whisk or stir will redistribute the sugar, guaranteeing that each piece of French toast is consistently sweet and perfectly flavored, avoiding any bland spots or over-sweetened edges.
- **Selecting the Right Dipping Dish.** For mixing your custard and dipping your bread, a large, shallow bowl is ideal, but specifically, a deep dish pie plate is a fantastic choice. Its ample depth prevents the egg mixture from overflowing as you dip your brioche slices, keeping your workspace clean and tidy. The wide surface also makes it easier to fully submerge the bread, ensuring it soaks up maximum flavor without being cumbersome to handle. Investing in a good deep dish pie plate will streamline your French toast preparation and make the process much more enjoyable.
- **Storing and Reheating for Convenience.** While this Sunrise Sweet French Toast is undeniably best enjoyed fresh off the griddle, any leftovers can be stored and reheated with excellent results. Simply place any cooled French toast slices in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 2-3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheating is simple. You can gently warm them in a toaster, a toaster oven, or even a microwave for a quick bite. For the best texture, I recommend a quick reheat in a preheated oven or a lightly buttered skillet until warmed through. This versatility means you can enjoy a taste of that special morning even on a busier day.
Why Brioche is the Ultimate Choice for French Toast
While many types of bread can be used for French toast, brioche truly stands out as the superior choice, especially for a sweet and decadent recipe like our Sunrise Sweet French Toast. Brioche, a French bread known for its richness, is made with a higher content of eggs and butter than traditional breads. This makes it incredibly tender, with a light, airy crumb and a subtly sweet flavor profile. When soaked in the egg custard, brioche absorbs the liquid beautifully without becoming soggy, maintaining its structural integrity while transforming into an incredibly soft and moist interior. Its slight sweetness also complements the sugary custard and the optional sweetened condensed milk perfectly, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. The high butter content in brioche also contributes to a wonderfully golden and crispy exterior when cooked, adding another layer of texture that elevates the entire dish. It’s this luxurious texture and inherent flavor that makes brioche the star of this special breakfast, ensuring every bite is a truly gourmet experience.
Perfect Pairings to Elevate Your Sweet French Toast Experience
While sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream are fantastic on their own, don’t hesitate to explore other toppings to customize your Sunrise Sweet French Toast. A sprinkle of fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries adds a tart counterpoint to the sweetness and a pop of vibrant color. Sliced bananas, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a drizzle of warm maple syrup (for those who prefer a more traditional touch) are also excellent choices. For an extra indulgent twist, consider a dollop of fruit compote, a scattering of toasted nuts for crunch, or even a light dusting of cocoa powder. Each addition offers a unique dimension, allowing you to tailor this already special breakfast to your exact preferences and create an unforgettable culinary moment for anyone you’re sharing it with. The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its inherent deliciousness but also in its versatility.
More Must-Have Breakfast Recipes to Delight Your Mornings
If you’ve enjoyed the special touch of our Sunrise Sweet French Toast, you’ll love exploring these other incredible breakfast and brunch ideas. Each recipe promises to bring warmth and flavor to your table, perfect for any occasion, big or small.
- Cranberry Cinnamon Rolls
- Banana Coffee Cake with Honey Glaze
- Beginner’s Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
- Ice Cream Soaked French Toast
- Cheesy Baked Breakfast Sliders from The Cookie Rookie
- Brown Sugar Peach Pancakes from Sweet Basil
Sunrise Sweet French Toast
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 eggs
- 1 12 oz can evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup orange marmalade
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 18 oz loaf brioche bread
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160ºC). This will be used to keep the cooked French toast warm.
- In a large, shallow bowl (a deep dish pie plate works wonderfully), combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly. Then, whisk in the eggs until well combined. Finally, stir in the evaporated milk, orange marmalade, and vanilla extract until the custard mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Slice the brioche bread into 16 evenly thick pieces. This will yield a good serving size and ensure even cooking.
- Heat a large griddle over medium heat. Once hot, melt the butter on the griddle surface, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Dip one slice of brioche bread into the egg mixture, turning it over to ensure both sides are completely coated. Allow any excess custard to drip off slightly. Place the coated slice onto the hot griddle. Continue this process with the remaining slices, working in batches if necessary, to avoid overcrowding the griddle. Remember to stir the egg mixture occasionally after every couple of dips to prevent the sugar from settling at the bottom.
- Cook each French toast slice for approximately 2 minutes per side, or until it turns a beautiful golden brown and is cooked through. Transfer the cooked French toast to a baking sheet.
- Once all the French toast has been cooked and transferred to the baking sheet, cover the sheet loosely with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the French toast is thoroughly heated. This step helps ensure all pieces are warm and soft for serving.
- Serve immediately, topped generously with sweetened condensed milk and a dollop of whipped cream, if desired. Fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar also make delightful garnishes. Enjoy your special Sunrise Sweet French Toast!
Recipe Notes:
The nutrition information provided below is an estimate only. Actual nutritional counts may vary based on specific brands and products used, as well as portion sizes. Please note that these nutritional counts do not include any optional toppings such as sweetened condensed milk or whipped cream, which would add to the total values.
Nutrition Information
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