I’m not sure what possessed me to try and make the perfect French toast sticks. I guess first I should back up and explain my ideal French toast stick, since we could have different ideas. I’m talking about crispy on the outside, soft on the inside breakfast-buffet-style French toast sticks. Like the rich kid cousin to cinnamon toast.
Also, we recently updated this post with a quick video tutorial to help illustrate how to make Baked French Toast Sticks, which you can see at the top of this post.
My first two attempts just didn’t turn out quite right. The first version was too soft. Baking French toast (as opposed to cooking it in a pan) takes out the crispy edges. Or it can anyway. So that happened. My second version was more like soggy bread with burnt sugar on top. That one was pretty gross. That’s what happens when you don’t pay attention while using your broiler. Good news though: Attempt #3 was just right.
French Toast Sticks, makes 2-3 servings.
4-5 slices of bread (I used an Italian loaf)
4 eggs
2 tablespoons cream (I used half and half)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
a generous sprinkle of cinnamon
And the secret to really good French toast sticks is cinnamon sugar topping. You don’t have to use this mix like I did. Just mix together 1/4 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.
Mix together the eggs, cream, vanilla and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Slice the bread into sticks. Coat each pieces in the egg mixture and place on a prepared baking sheet. I lined my baking sheet with a Silpat mat.
You could also grease the baking sheet with a little oil or butter. Don’t use parchment paper, because we will be putting these under the broiler and parchment paper + broilers = bad news man. Don’t do it. Unless instead of making French toast sticks, you wanted to start a fire.
Not like that’s ever happened to me. I’m an expert baker and all. Uh….
Now sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over each stick. Bake under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. KEEP AN EYE ON IT. Not all broilers were created equal, so watch yours and adjust the bake time. What we are aiming for is for the eggs to cook but also for the sugar to caramelize on top. Think creme brulee.
Got your attention with that one, didn’t I?
After 2-3 minutes remove the sticks from the oven, flip and sprinkle on a little more cinnamon sugar. Bake for an additional 2-3 minutes. Now you’re ready to serve. These are totally dippable. Oh yeah. That’s a word. 🙂 xo. Emma
Love this recipe? Check out this Eggnog French Toast Recipe!
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Ingredients
- 4-5 slices bread (I used an Italian loaf)
- 4 eggs
- 2 tablespoons cream (I used half and half)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon (plus more)
Instructions
- Mix together the eggs, cream, vanilla and cinnamon in a shallow dish. Slice the bread into sticks. Coat each pieces in the egg mixture and place on a prepared baking sheet. I lined my baking sheet with a Silpatmat. You could also grease the baking sheet with a little oil or butter. Don’t use parchment paper, because we will be putting these under the broiler.
- Now, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over each stick. Bake under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. KEEP AN EYE ON IT. Not all broilers were created equal, so watch yours and adjust the bake time. What we are aiming for is for the eggs to cook but also for the sugar to caramelize on top. Think creme brûlée.
- After 2-3 minutes remove the sticks from the oven, flip and sprinkle on a little more cinnamon sugar. Bake for an additional 2-3 minutes. Now you’re ready to serve.
Oh my goodness, talk about a flashback to when I was a kid. I LOVED french toast and have not eaten it in years. Such a fun and cool recipe. Love the photo styling! Makes me want to eat a million french toast sticks!!!
-Katie
www.katieskronicles.org
Yummy!! I haven’t made French Toast in forever, but I will be trying these!!
This looks so good and easy. So I was wondering could you make a large batch and freeze them and pop a few in the microwave? I have a two year old who loves french toast and this would be perfect to be able to pull a few out of the freezer every morning.
I made these Baked French Toast Sticks tonight for dinner. They were so delicious. I followed the recipe and it worked perfectly for my oven. I was a little intimated, I’ve never made French Toast before let alone used a Broiler. I can’t wait to make these again. They would be a great addition to any Brunch. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
i need to make these, never had french bread before but they look worth trying out!
http://tonyscamera.blogspot.co.nz/
It looks soooooooo delicious!!! Thank you girl!!! XO! ♥
Those look delish! I wish I would have seen it this morning!
Sarah=)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/OwlEyeVintage
I made this recipe this morning. I did not have any cream, so I used regular milk. It still turned out very good. Thank you very much!
It looks delicious and makes me want to eat, thank you!:-) !! I’m French so if you want I’ll give you the recipe as it is cooking in France 😉
French toast :
200g of milk
800g cream
1 whole egg and 4 egg yolks
150g sugar
Stale French bread (it is better when the bread is not fresh / bun or bread can replace bread)
Mix the egg yolks and sugar, add the milk and cream whipping. Deposit slices in the mixture and let it soak. Melt a little salted butter in a frying pan with a little brown sugar. Brown on each side. Enjoy as is or with a little cream or jam. NB: the real recipe is with stale bread + egg + milk.
Have a nice day !
i am a french toast fanatic! I am def trying this. Thank you!!!
Oh so yummie and much more beautiful than large french toast pieces!!!
So yum! French toast is my favourite breakfast treat and baked just makes it so much easier for sharing. I’ve tried a blueberry cream cheese recipe, but will have to give sticks a try.
This reminds me of elementary school lunch in the BEST POSSIBLE WAY. I have never been a big fan of french toast, but have ALWAYS loved it in stick version. Go figure. So excited to try a homemade version. My mouth is watering just thinking of it!!!
www.lusichkamarie.blogspot.com
I’m French and your “pain perdu” seems very good!!!
When I can no longer fit through my door, I will be blaming you! These look delicious, all my favourite things 🙂 xxx
mmmmmmmh it looks so delicius!!!!
www.deluxefashionista.com
Oh my….how delicious!!!!!!!!!! Such a great idea!!!!!
http://sydneycorporate.blogspot.com.au/
Mmmm this looks delicious, can’t wait to try this out for breakfast! 😀
http://beblacknblue.blogspot.co.uk
Yummy! Thanks for sharing your trial and error stories. Makes me feel comforted when I mess up 🙂
Liz @ rusticpeach.com
Omgosh, I can’t wait to try these, these are amazing!