Caramelized French Toast with a Berry Compote

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Mother’s Day is around the corner and if Thomas doesn’t make us this Caramelized French Toast Recipe with a Berry Compote, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN ISSUE. Poppy is in 100% agreement! My breakfast potatoes are a perfect side to this sweet breakfast main!

Why I Love This Recipe

Looking for a fluffy french toast recipe? If you've never made French toast before, don't worry – it's easier than you might think. In this post, we'll walk you through the basics of how to make perfect French Toast every time. We'll also share our favorite topping that levels up this dish from a basic french toast recipe. So let's get started!

Imagine this… a classic french toast recipe flavored with vanilla and nutmeg, a Berry Compote laced with maple syrup and plenty of buttery goodness to give the bread a nice, caramelized finish and add an extra layer of flavor. Literally my version of heaven. This Caramelized French Toast Recipe is 100% going on the Mother's Day Brunch Menu!

French Toast was always a mega-hit in our house growing up! It’s one of those meals that makes any holiday weekend extra special, and this Caramelized French Toast with a Berry Compote is truly perfection. Here’s the situation! First you need some amazing butter!!

You’re also going to need fresh berries. I used raspberries and blueberries but if you want to add strawberries, blackberries or pitted cherries… be my guest! All that’s left is to toast off some THICK slices of country bread and you are in business for a lovely, leisurely weekend brunch at home. Guaranteed this will be the the best french toast recipe you ever try.

This easy french toast recipe is everything you could want in a breakfast dish. The brioche bread is soft and fluffy, and it soaks up the egg mixture perfectly. The caramelized sugar on top gives it a crispy crust, while the berry compote provides sweetness and tartness to balance out the flavors. Plus, it’s pretty easy to make – just be sure to set aside enough time for the bread to soak in the egg mixture. If you prefer using sugar instead of maple syrup, use this compote recipe I use for topping muesli. If you’re looking for an amazing french toast recipe that will wow your guests, look no further than this one!

Close up shot of Caramelized French Toast with Berry Compote on top.

Ingredients & Substitutions

mise-en-place with all the ingredients required to make caramelized french toast and berry compote.
  • Large Eggs & Egg Yolks
  • Whole Milk
  • Heavy Cream
  • Kosher Salt
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Grated Nutmeg
  • White Sugar
  • Country Bread – Brioche or and Challah would also make an incredible French Toast
  • Butter
  • Maple Syrup
  • Blueberries
  • Raspberries

*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below

How to Make Caramelized French Toast

Mixing bowl with eggs, egg yolks, milk, cream, salt, vanilla, nutmeg and sugar whisked together to make french toast.

Step 1: Combine eggs, egg yolks, milk, cream, salt, vanilla, nutmeg and sugar. Whisk well until evenly combined.

Deep baking dish with bread soaked into french toast batter.

Step 2: Pour the egg mixture into the dish to soak in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. Four hours in, flip the slices carefully to ensure even soaking.

A plate with slices of bread that have been soaked into french toast batter and taken out of the excess batter.

Step 3: When ready to cook, place a large cast-iron skillet into a 425 degree oven. Remove the slices from the dish, letting any excess liquid drip off, and place on a plate. Sprinkle the bread evenly with the remaining sugar.

Bread slices soaked into french toast batter being cooked on a skillet.

Step 4: Carefully remove the heated skillet from the oven and add butter to the pan. Spread it around and add the sugar-coated bread, spacing evenly. Reduce heat and transfer the skillet back into the oven. Cook until the bottoms are evenly toasted and golden brown, 14 to 18 minutes.

Skillet with bread slices soaked into french toast batter cooked on one side along with butter on the base of the skillet.

Step 5: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven with an oven mitt, flip the bread and add the remaining butter in slivers around the slices. Cook until the bottoms are nicely browned.

Cooked french toast in a skillet, with berry compote on top and a bowl of berry compote on the side.

Step 6: Serve immediately with the syrup and berry compote.

How to Store French Toast

You can store leftover batter from the french toast for only up to a day since it has uncooked ingredients. If you have already cooked the french toast, you can store it for 2-3 days in the fridge. Make sure you tightly wrap them or use an airtight container. When its time to eat, use a skillet greased with butter and warm each side for a few minutes. If you want to use an oven, heat the oven to 375F, place the french toasts on a greased/parchment lined baking tray. Heat for about 8 minutes flipping halfway through.

How to Freeze French Toast

If you need to freeze french toast, you can do so by laying them on a parchment lined baking tray and placing them in the freezer. This will stiffen them, and allow you to transfer and stack them in a freezer bag. Follow the same instructions for re-heating as with refrigeration, but allow extra time since frozen french toast will take longer. I would avoid using a microwave to re-heat them.

Tips & Tricks

  1. Use thick cut slices. You need great thick bread that will stand up to the moisture you’re adding into the recipe.
  2. Don't use stale bread. While it may seem like French toast is the perfect way to use up old bread, the truth is that fresh bread absorbs the custard better, resulting in a richer flavor and more moist texture.
  3. Use enough eggs. The egg helps to bind the bread together and gives it a nice golden color when cooked.
  4. Don't overcook the French toast. This results in dry, rubbery slices that lack flavor.

FAQs

What is the trick to French toast?

In my opinion it's all about layering flavor! So the vanilla in this recipe is a very important step! Also, you need great thick bread that will stand up to the moisture you're adding into the recipe.

What is the most common mistake in making French toast?

French toast is a classic breakfast dish that can be enjoyed in countless different ways. However, despite its simplicity, there are still a few common mistakes that people make when preparing French Toast. One of the most common mistakes is using stale bread. While it may seem like French toast is the perfect way to use up old bread, the truth is that fresh bread absorbs the custard better, resulting in a richer flavor and more moist texture. Another common mistake is not using enough egg. The egg helps to bind the bread together and gives it a nice golden color when cooked. Finally, many people make the mistake of overcooking the French toast. This results in dry, rubbery slices that lack flavor. By following my classic french toast recipe and avoiding these common mistakes, anyone can make delicious French toast at home.

Why do people add milk to their French toast recipe?

You must add some moisture before you bake the toast or sear it!! That way it's not too crispy!

What is French toast batter made of?

Eggs, egg yolks, whole milk, heavy cream, kosher salt, vanilla extract, grated nutmeg, white sugar, butter.

How do you make French toast that isn't soggy?

The quick answer is to caramelize the bread. For this exact reason, Caramelized French Toast is the only type of French Toast that we make in our home. Not only does it elevate the texture of the dish, it also tastes better and holds the toppings better in my opinion.

More French Toast Recipes and Sweet Breakfast Ideas

If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!

Caramelized French Toast with a Berry Compote

Author: Gaby Dalkin
4.8 from 4 votes
A truly decadent french toast recipe: Caramelized French Toast with a Berry Compote makes the perfect fancy brunch at home recipe!!!
Prep Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 45 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • ½ cup white sugar, plus 2 extra tablespoons (divided)
  • 4 (2-inch-thick) slices country bread (Brioche or and Challah would also make incredible French Toast)
  • 8 tablespoons Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
  • Maple syrup and berry compote for serving

For the Berry Compote

  • 1 cup blueberries
  • ½ cup raspberries
  • 4 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions
 

  • Combine eggs, egg yolks, milk, cream, salt, vanilla, nutmeg and 2 tablespoons of the sugar. Whisk well until evenly combined.
  • Place the bread in a shallow dish that will fit the slices snugly. Pour the egg mixture into the dish to soak in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. Four hours in, flip the slices carefully to ensure even soaking.
  • When ready to cook, place a large cast-iron skillet into a 425 degree oven. 
  • Remove the slices from the dish, letting any excess liquid drip off, and place on a plate. Sprinkle the bread evenly with the remaining ½ cup sugar.
  • Carefully remove the heated skillet from the oven and add 4 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt to the pan. Spread it around and add the sugar-coated bread, spacing evenly. Reduce heat to 400 degrees and transfer the skillet back into the oven. Cook until the bottoms are evenly toasted and golden brown, 14 to 18 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the skillet from the oven with an oven mitt, flip the bread and add the remaining 4 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt in slivers around the slices. Cook until the bottoms are nicely browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately with the syrup and berry compote.
  • To make the berry compote: heat blueberries in maple syrup until warm and nearly bursting. Remove from the heat and fold in raspberries.

Notes

  1. You need great thick bread that will stand up to the moisture you’re adding into the recipe.
  2. Avoid using stale bread. Fresh bread absorbs the custard better, resulting in a richer flavor and moist texture.
  3. Use enough eggs! Thishelps to bind the bread together and gives it a nice golden color when cooked.
  4. Don't overcook the french toast. This results in dry, rubbery slices that lack flavor.
  1.  

Nutrition Information

Calories: 741kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 318mg | Sodium: 455mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 1638IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 205mg | Iron: 3mg
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9 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Yum! Making for Mother's Day. 🙂

    Can I use frozen blueberries for the berry compote?

  2. Can u just use oil or spray? I don’t like butter. I know I’m the only one. Lol

  3. If I don't have the olive oil sea salt butter can I add those things to regular butter?

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