This breakfast stuffed bread or Nutella French toast is a widely popular and well-loved mouthwatering brunch recipe. Slightly browned and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it comes complete with a rich, robust, custard-based flavoring and sweetened with various sugars.
Typically garnished with syrup with either a maple or a fruit flavoring and butter, it is often combined with other ingredients to enhance its overall appearance, appeal, and taste. Examples include Nutella, whipped cream, and fruits. Despite this, it possesses such an exotic flavor that it can be served all on its own, too!
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This is a classic brunch recipe – be it standard, French toast Nutella, or topped with fruit. It is craved by many, but most find that it has a touch of complication in creation. If not done correctly, the edges may burn, the bread may turn to mush, and a big mess may be left behind.
The good news is, with just a little bit of information and practice, anyone can create crispy, golden-brown, absolutely taste-worthy French toast. I will show you how in this guide.
Watch the video
Bread should be used for French toast
Regardless of how you slice it, the key to creating delicious, delectable breakfast stuffed bread French toast (or even an exotic bread pudding) is the type of bread that you choose to utilize for the recipe.
When the bread is your main ingredient, you must choose to create an irresistible dish. Continue reading to learn the right scoop on the bread-selection process.
What makes certain bread better than the rest?
It does not matter if you are creating Nutella French toast, cinnamon French toast, basic French toast or any Nutella sandwich ideas topped with a spoon of sweet berries; you must choose the best bread for the recipe.
When creating French toast, there are a few common factors that should be considered. These factors directly relate to the quality of the bread.
Qualities in selecting the bread
1 Loaf Availability
It is best to select a bread that may be sliced or even cubed the way you desire to create French toast. For this reason, it is often best to choose unsliced bread that is sold by the loaf. This way, you are always capable of achieving the dimensions that you prefer.
2 Sturdy Cuts
It does not matter if you are making bread pudding or French toast; you will need to place the bread into a mixture that consists of milk and eggs. This is necessary for creating a custard-based flavoring.
To succeed in this endeavor and not face the complication of the bread crumbling or completely falling apart, you will need to choose an extremely sturdy bread. For example, that pack of Wonder Bread that you use to make your favorite sliced pastrami sandwich won't cut your French toast recipe.
3 Flavor
You should always opt for the best-tasting bread for French toast. While it is true that the custard seasoning mixture has the largest impact on the overall flavor of the dish, it is also true that bread makes up the largest component of the recipe; therefore, high-quality bread with good flavor is an absolute must!
Most cooking professionals agree that bread classified as "Enriched" – such as brioche and the challah option – is the best option for French toast recipes because of their strong egg-based flavoring.
Brioche bread
When it comes to creating French toast and other bread-based dishes – such as bread pudding – Brioche is hailed as the optimal choice. It is a vibrant combination of bread that is composed – primarily – of egg and flavorful butter.
The crumb is exceptionally sturdy yet plush; This allows it to stand up quite well to the soak in the custard. Additionally, once cooked, it transforms into a sturdy form with the perfect crispiness level outside and a creamy inside.
If you elect to use this type of bread, you should purchase it as an unsliced loaf. That way, you may cut the pieces just the way you like them.
Challah bread
If you are searching for a bread capable of soaking up your custard blend without falling apart and typically does not contain any dairy, Challah is the bread for you!
It is a type of eggy bread that can reach an excellent golden-brown toast on the outside yet includes a soft, creamy inside that is perfect for any palate appreciating French toast's taste and texture.
Pullman loaf option
The most common name for this option is "sandwich bread,"; also known as the "pan bread." While a bit thinner than the previously-mentioned bread options, it is tightly-packed yet extremely tender.
This bread lacks the density of the previously mentioned bread varieties and results in a less-creamy toast; however, it lacks flavor.
While you do have to situate this type of bread into your custard mix, do not allow it to soak. If you do, you will find that it quickly disintegrates.
Additionally, if opting for this type, always purchase the unsliced version. The sliced loaves include pieces that are simply too thin to create a sturdy and luscious tasting French toast.
French bread option
French bread is also an option for creating decadent, flavorful French toast. This is especially true if you are looking for a chewier variety.
Many view this as a "wild-card" option. Diagonally slice your baguette so that you have huge slices. When placing it in your custard mix, please make sure that it soaks a little bit longer than other bread varieties.
This way, you can ensure that it is entirely soft and has the tasty chew you aim for.
Milk and egg mixture
By now, you probably are aware of the fact that the milk and the egg combination that you use to create French toast is your custard. Just like the bread, it is considered one of the fundamental components to your overall success – in terms of texture, quality, and taste.
The dominant flavor in the custard rests in the quality of the eggs you utilize; therefore, you will want to use the best eggs you can obtain.
Additionally, instead of opting for plain old milk, you should consider using a rich half-and-half product. Your taste buds will thank you!
If you do choose to use milk, bypass the skim, and go for the whole. If you like, you may add a touch of cream to create a strong, rich texture and taste, but do not overdo it. This should only be done if you prefer the rich, creamy flavoring that other creams will provide.
Regardless of whether you are creating standard French toast or a more comprehensive dish – such as Nutella French toast – you should ensure that your bread is placed in the custard mix for the appropriate amount of time.
You will need to consider the thickness of your bread and the type of bread to determine this time.
Remember, the longer it soaks, the creamier and the most flavorful. If you simply dip – like in the case of thin cuts of bread – you will find that the flavor is not as savory in the end.
Sweet of savory – that is the question
In most instances, French toast is considered to be a sweet dish. It is often created with just a tad of sugar in the custard mix and a large amount of luscious maple syrup on top.
You may also create a highly savory dish. Bypass the added sugar and top the dish with sauteed bacon, mushrooms, onions, spinach, or ham.
If you so desire, you may combine elements to make both a sweet and savory dish, such as adding a touch of sugar to the custard, lining bread with Nutella, and topping with fruits and cream to create Nutella French toast – the choice is yours. The sky is the limit when it comes to creativity and this magnificent dish.
Make your French toast ahead of time
If you would like to whip up a batch of tasty French toast, you may use the following recipe:
30 Minutes Ahead
Prepare your dish as usual and place the toast pieces on a baking sheet in a single layer. You may heat the over to 250°F and leave for up to 30 minutes.
24 Hours Ahead
Make the batter for the French toast and place it in an air-tight container for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. When you are ready to prepare the dish, stir the refrigerated batter, and continue creating the toast.
3 Months Ahead
To prepare the dish this far ahead, refer to the section below on freezing.
How do I freeze French toast?
- Prepare your toast as usual, and then transfer each piece to a baking sheet. You may then place it inside the freezer. You can remove the pieces once they are frozen firmly.
This usually takes about 30 minutes. You may then store each of the slices in a freezer bag. If none are available, an air-tight storage container will work. Consume the pieces within 3 months.
When serving the toast from the freezer, utilize one of the following reheat strategies:
- Toaster – You may place the pieces within a toaster. Be sure to heat thoroughly.
- Oven – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lie each piece on a baking sheet and cover the entire sheet with aluminum foil. Typically, it will heat the dish within 10 minutes.
Grab these ingredients
- your choice of bread
- eggs
- milk - you may use whole milk or the alternative contained in this recipe.
- sweetener – sweetener may be used, based on your preference.
- salt – Just a small amount.
- flavor combinations – many use vanilla extract or a touch of cinnamon seasoning to enhance this dish's flavor. you may use flavor combinations based on your preferences.
- butter – simply melt for cooking, and once finished, add a touch of butter.
- syrup – most use maple syrups for their French toast, but you may use any syrup that you want, including those such as blackberry syrup.
What bread are best?
- Brioche
- Challah
- French bread
- Sourdough
- Texas Toast
- Pullman loaf bread
Which milk is Best?
You may use any type of milk, cream, or similar product for this dish, including:
- Skim Milk
- Whole Milk
- Half and Half
- Heavy Cream
It is possible to use milk alternatives that do not contain dairy. The flavor may change a bit, but it still results in a robust dish:
- Almond Milk
- Coconut Milk
- Oat Milk
How about sweeteners?
We have tried a wide assortment of flavors in our French toast and have found that all types create a luscious batch of toast with immense flavor.
You may combine sweeteners, too, to create a unique dish. Remember, you will slightly change the flavor when experimenting with various sweeteners, but all taste wonderful!
- Coconut sugar
- Confectioner sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Honey
- Maple syrup
Step by step instructions
1 Whisk – First, take a shallow dish and combine your milk option, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon and whisk together.
2 Dip – Once the custard is mixed well, place the bread in the mixture, and quickly flip it. You do not want it to saturate all the way through. If the bread becomes too wet, it may disintegrate.
3 Cook – The next step is cooking your bread to become the toast dish you desire. Simply place a bit of butter into the skillet and allow it to melt. Set to medium heat. Allow the initial side to cook for up to 3 minutes, flip, and cook it for the same amount of time on the opposite side.
4 Serve the Dish – Finally, you are ready to serve the dish. Place the French toast on a plate and cover it with your choice's syrup and any additional toppings that you desire.
Additional Tips
- Tip #1
Place the custard in an 8x8 square pan; this will allow you to place up to 4 slices of bread in the mixture at a time. - Tip #2:
To avoid creating a mess. Place the pan closer to the stove when transferring the bread. - Tip #3:
Place the finished bread on a wire cooling rack in your oven to keep your dish warm before serving. If you are only cooking two batches, this step probably won't be necessary. If you are preparing a large batch or using a small pan, you may have to resort to this warming method. - Tip #4:
Be sure when you place the egg into the milk or milk alternative (like cream) to thoroughly whisk until no sections of the yolk or the white is showing. If you fail to do this, these areas will cook up and resemble pieces of cooked egg. - Tip #5:
When dipping your bread into the milk and egg mixture, allow excess liquid to drip off so that a puddle of the custard does not develop during the cooking process.
Is stale bread better for French toast?
When French toast originated, most people used their fresh-baked bread on the day that they received it. If any was left over, they would use the bread to create French toast.
While it is not necessary to use stale bread, it is best recommended to absorb the custard better than fresh bread. It does not matter, though, whether you use fresh, store-bought, or stale. As long as it is safe for consumption, you may use it.
You may add several ingredients to the custard to enhance the flavor of this dish. Examples include nutmeg, orange zest, cinnamon, brandy, or rum!
Common mistakes when cooking French toast
1 Many add too much sugar and dairy to the custard mix. Add a small amount of milk to the egg to not result in soggy bread. If you add other types of sweetener to your finished product – such as syrup -there is no need to add too much sugar.
2 Many fail to mix the custard thoroughly.
3 The eggs are not mixed thoroughly in the milk mixture before placing the bread in, and it looks hard on the slices of toast.
4 The right type of bread is not used to create the toast, and it either crumbles, disintegrates, or becomes too soggy.
5 Not cooking the dish with the bread of the right thickness. It should be anywhere from ¾" to 1" thick. You should make sure that you choose the right type of bread, too. Examples include Pullman Loaf, Brioche, and Challah.
6 Not allowing the bread to soak long enough in the custard mixture.
7 Not using the right temperature when cooking the French toast.
8 Throwing the bread into the pan following only a slight dip. It should be soaked so that the center is soft and custardy.
9 Cooking the toast too high or too low. Too high of a heat will result in scorching, and too low will result in the toast drying out. Up to 3 minutes on each side is considered appropriate.
10 Not allowing the pan to preheat.
11 Using a pan that has not resulted in the proper temperature. If too cool, the custard will form a hard foot. If too warm, it will unevenly cook the custard.
12 Only implementing the use of butter.
13 Not using a distinct combination of butter and oil. This helps to prevent the butter from cooking. Be sure to use a new batch with each batch of bread, or black bits that lack flavor will take over the dish.
How do I make sure my French Toast is not soggy?
It does not matter if you are making traditional French toast, Nutella French toast, or a similar variety. You may take some steps to ensure that it does not come out soggy when you make it.
- First, avoid adding too much milk. Next, stir thoroughly. Finally, use thick-sliced bread and dip it in the custard mixture. Drain the excess and determine how much it absorbs. You will want it to soak through, but not to the point where it destroys your bread.
- If you question how well the bread will stand up to the mixture, lightly toast it before dipping it in the custard mix. Once it has reached the right consistency to go into the custard, you may place it to allow it to absorb this sweet sauce.
- Upon completing the cooking process, be sure to top with all of your favorites -powdered sugar, fruits, cream, butter, syrup – your choice! For an added flavor, spread Nutella over one slice, top with another slice, and eat! You will love the blend of unique flavors.
Are there any secrets to cooking good French toast?
We all know what a good batch of French toast tastes like -crispy with a mild crunch on the outside and filled with a luscious-tasting, sweet center.
The following outlines a few secrets on how to achieve amazing results each time you prepare this dish:
- Use Stale Bread
It is not necessary but advised that you use stale bread. This is because it will hold up better in the custard mix than fresh bread. - Top with a Little Crunch
To make a crispier top on your French toast, shred up a little coconut or use breadcrumbs. These ingredients should be pressed on the sides and then cooked until golden brown. - Choose Challah
Challah bread is known for being sliced very thick. This is truly the secret to creating the dish in such a way that it comes out crispy on the outside and chewy, gooey on the inside. - Use Both the Stove Top and Oven When Preparing
Start with a drop of butter into a cast-iron skillet—Cook over medium heat on both sides. Then, move the pieces to a baking sheet and place them in the oven. - Use Lime or Orange Zest
When making French toast, be sure to top with either lime or orange zest. This will result in a fantastic citrusy, culinary delight! - Experiment with Weird Toppings
When creating French toast, try some unusual toppings to enhance the flavor. Examples include caramelized fruits, brie, or even mascarpone. You will be amazed by the results!
Interesting recipes
- Double Dipped French Toast
- IHOP French Toast Copycat Recipe
- Nutella French Toast Rolls Up
- Cinnamon French Toast Sticks Up
Related questions
Chances are, you are merely adding too much of the dairy to your custard mix. Back off on the dairy and ensure that it is thoroughly mixed with the egg. Also, make sure your bread is -at least – ¾" thick.
When making this delectable dish, use a griddle at 350°F; however, medium heat is the perfect setting if preparing on a stove. You want the toast to reaching golden brown color, without scorching.
The most creative means for utilizing your custard mix is to make fancy-flavored scrambled eggs! These will mesh perfectly with the dish!
Yes, you may save the custard batter from your French toast for up to 24 hours. Simply place it in a tight container and store it in the refrigerator!
If frozen, up to 2 months. You should never attempt to freeze ingredients that have not been thoroughly cooked. You may prepare the dish and freeze it before cooking, but it will require a thawing. Not only is that time consuming, but a tad risky.
Only freeze pre-cooked French toast. It can simply be reheated when you are ready to use it.
1.) Allow each piece to cool down thoroughly before placing it in the freezer. This may be done on a wiring rack and will help in retaining the crispiness.
2.) Wrap each piece with wax paper, and you will find it is easier to reheat. If you must freeze again, be sure to use heavy-duty aluminum foil or even a solid freezer bag.
The second – but slower - option
It is possible to place your French toast on a baking rack to cool it. Immediately afterward, you may then put it in specially-designed freezer bags.
You may also freeze in wax paper, remove the paper, and transfer each piece to a safekeeping bag. This method is useful for traditional toast, Nutella French toast, and all other varieties.
Full Recipe
Nutella Stuffed Bread French Toast recipe
Pin RecipeEquipments:
- Griddle or skillet
Ingredients:
- 4 slices bread (bread of choice)
- 8 tablespoon Nutella
- 2 tablespoon butter
Custard Ingredients:
- 4 eggs
- ¼ cup whole milk (or heavy cream)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- pinch of salt
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional)
- 2 tablespoon Maple syrup (optional)
- fruits
Watch the Video:
Instructions:
- Gather the ingredients for custard mixture. In a separate bowl mix the eggs, milk (or heavy cream). Add the cinnamon, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Mix well using a fork or a hand beater.
- Cut the bread into thick slices (skip this process if you’re using the Texas bread). Spread tablespoon of Nutella on 4 slices of bread and top with the other 4 slices. Put 2 slices together to form like a sandwich.
- Place in egg mixture and allow each side of the bread to soak for less than a minute. (This all depends on the thickness of the bread you're using).
- Spray some oil then, add rub the butter to melt in the griddle (or a skillet) over moderate medium heat.
- Add the french toast sandwiches and cook approximately 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
- Once done, top with powdered sugar, fresh fruit and syrup (optional). Serve warm.
Notes:
- Tip #: Place the custard in an 8×8 square pan; this will allow you to place up to 4 slices of bread in the mixture at a time.
- Tip #2: To avoid creating a mess. Place the pan closer to the stove when transferring the bread.
- Tip #3: Place the finished bread on a wire cooling rack in your oven to keep your dish warm before serving. If you are only cooking two batches, this step probably won’t be necessary. If you are preparing a large batch or using a small pan, you may have to resort to this warming method.
- Tip #4: Be sure when you place the egg into the milk or milk alternative (like cream) to thoroughly whisk until no sections of the yolk or the white is showing. If you fail to do this, these areas will cook up and resemble pieces of cooked egg.
- Tip #5: When dipping your bread into the milk and egg mixture, allow excess liquid to drip off so that a puddle of the custard does not develop during the cooking process.
Nutrition Information:
Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
