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The dessert, Regional

Brioche French toast with vanilla ice cream

Brioche French toast is a dessert for 6 people, made with brioche soaked in an egg custard, pan fried in butter, and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and salted butter caramel. It takes 25 minutes of active work, comes together at the last minute right before serving, rates very easy, and costs about €1.80 per person. The trick is using slightly dry brioche so it soaks up the custard without falling apart.

Tonight, French toast makes a comeback in brioche form, browned in butter, topped with caramel, and served with a scoop of ice cream.

Brioche French toast with vanilla ice cream
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
40 min
Prep
Finished at the last minute
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.80
Calories per person
650 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Brioche French toast is the dessert that puts everyone at ease. The brioche soaks up egg and cream until it turns custardy inside, while the outside browns into a light crust, and the melting scoop of vanilla ice cream against the warm bread is what makes the dish work. Salted butter caramel adds the finishing touch that turns a simple recipe into a proper end of meal dessert.

This is a homestyle dessert, familiar and warm, ideal for a family dinner or a relaxed get together with friends. It works year round, just as well after a hearty winter meal as at the end of a summer dinner, and it wins over kids and adults alike. Since it comes together right in front of your guests, it makes for a small bit of kitchen theater at the end of the meal.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day Nothing to do
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps, 15 min
  4. When it's time to serve 3 steps, 16 min

Right before your guests arrive, lay out the brioche slices to dry a bit and whisk together the custard of eggs, milk, and cream. Everything else happens at serving time, dipping, pan frying, and plating with the ice cream and warm caramel. This is a last minute dessert, so plan for a few minutes in the kitchen at the end of the meal.

The ingredients

6 people

Bakery

  • Thick sliced brioche 12 slices

Dairy

  • Eggs 4
  • Whole milk 25 cl
  • Heavy cream 20 cl
  • Butter 60 g
  • Vanilla ice cream 6

Pantry

  • Sugaroften in the pantry 80 g
  • Vanilla sugaroften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Salted butter caramel 6 tbsp

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Lay the brioche slices out in the open air so they dry out a bit. 15 min

    Fresh brioche falls apart, let it sit out for an hour or warm it in a low oven for two minutes.

  2. Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, and vanilla sugar together in a large shallow dish.

    Strain the mixture through a sieve, the egg strands disappear and the French toast turns out smoother.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Dip the slices on each side, just a few seconds. 4 min

    They should be soaked through but still hold together, too long and they'll break apart in the pan.

  2. Brown the slices in a large pan with the butter and sugar, a few minutes on each side. 12 min

    Cook over medium heat, too high a flame burns the sugar before the center warms through.

  3. Plate the browned slices, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm caramel.

    Warm the caramel for a few seconds in the microwave so it pours easily.

Our tips to get it right

  • Don't soak the slices too long in the custard, a few seconds is enough, otherwise the brioche gets waterlogged and tears when you flip it in the pan.
  • Cook in two batches if your pan isn't big enough for all the slices, it's better to wait a bit than crowd the pan and cook them unevenly.
  • Keep the browned slices warm in a low oven while you finish the rest, that way everyone gets served hot at the same time.

The variations

  • Swap the brioche for sliced brioche loaf or leftover panettone or pandoro after the holidays, it turns out just as custardy.
  • For a lighter version to put together, serve the French toast plain with just a drizzle of honey instead of ice cream and caramel.
  • For kids, scatter a few chocolate chips over the warm slices right before serving, they melt slightly against the hot brioche.

What to serve it with

  • Coffee or tea to close the meal
  • A few berries for some acidity
  • A glass of sweet cider for dessert

Storage

Cooked French toast is best eaten right away, it loses its crisp edge as it cools. The raw custard keeps one day in the fridge in a sealed container if you want to prep that part ahead, but the cooking itself needs to happen at the last minute.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use fresh brioche instead of day old?

It's possible but it risks falling apart when dipped. Let it air dry for an hour or warm the slices in a low oven for two minutes before you start.

Can I replace the salted butter caramel with something else?

Yes, a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or a berry coulis all work well in place of the caramel. Pick whatever you have on hand.

How do I know the slices are cooked through?

They should be golden brown on both sides and firm to the touch, with no soft spot left in the center. Figure about six minutes per side over medium heat.

Do kids actually like this dessert?

Yes, the soft texture and sweet flavor make it a favorite with younger guests. You can dress it up with chocolate chips for a kid friendly table.

Can a brioche French toast with vanilla ice cream be made ahead?

Partly, the finish happens at the last moment. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 3 steps.

How long does it take to make a brioche French toast with vanilla ice cream?

Allow 40 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in a brioche French toast with vanilla ice cream?

About 650 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a brioche French toast with vanilla ice cream cost?

About €1.80 per person, that's €10.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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