Oven Caramel French Toast
Ingredients
6 thick slices of brioche or white bread
3 large eggs
1 cup milk or cream
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons white sugar
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Optional toppings
Honey or maple syrup
Powdered sugar
Fresh fruit
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish with butter.
- Arrange bread slices tightly in the dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, white sugar, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour the mixture evenly over the bread. Press gently so the bread absorbs the custard.
- Let soak for 10–15 minutes for best texture.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and caramelized on top.
- For extra browning, turn on broiler for 2–3 minutes (watch closely).
- Serve warm with honey, maple syrup, or powdered sugar.
Tips
You can add orange zest or nutmeg for extra flavor.
Use day-old bread for best absorption.
Serve with butter and coffee for a perfect breakfast.
History
French toast is one of the oldest bread-based dishes in the world. Its origins go back to ancient times, when cooks looked for ways to use up stale bread instead of wasting it. The earliest written recipe appears in Roman times, where bread was soaked in milk and eggs, then fried.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, this dish became popular among poor and rich families alike because it was cheap, filling, and easy to prepare. In France it became known as pain perdu, meaning “lost bread,” referring to bread that was no longer fresh but given new life through cooking.
Over time, different cultures added their own touch — sugar, cinnamon, honey, or fruit — turning a simple survival dish into a sweet breakfast favorite.
Conclusion
French toast shows how simple ingredients can become something delicious with a little creativity. What started as a way to avoid waste has become a beloved comfort food enjoyed around the world. Today, baked or pan-fried, plain or caramelized, French toast remains a symbol of home cooking, warmth, and tradition — proof that the best recipes often come from simplicity.