Ingredients
4 large eggs, beaten
3/4 c. milk
1/2 c. pumpkin puree
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Kosher salt
1 loaf brioche, sliced into 1"-thick slices
3 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, slightly softened
2 tbsp. pumpkin puree
2 tbsp. maple syrup
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Kosher salt
Maple syrup, for drizzling
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Preparation
Step 1In a shallow baking dish, whisk eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt. Place bread slices into pumpkin mixture and let soak about 30 seconds per side. Step 2In a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Cook 2 slices bread at a time until golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Repeat to cook all slices.
Step 1In a medium bowl, whip softened butter with pumpkin, maple syrup, pumpkin spice, and a pinch of salt until light and fluffy.
Step 1Top French toast with pumpkin butter, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and drizzle with maple syrup.
One of our favorite things about this French toast is the contrast between the crisp, golden crust and the soft, custardy middle. We love that super tender center you get from thoroughly soaking the bread in the custard before frying it, but if you prefer yours a little drier in the middle, skip the soak and just dip the bread briefly in the custard on the way to the pan. Read on for more tips on this easy and elegant breakfast. And if you’re looking for more fall-themed brunch classics, check out these sweet potato pancakes– they’re the real deal! What kind of bread is best for French toast? It sounds like a non-answer, but it really depends on what you’re looking for in your French toast. If you want a richer, sweeter French toast, challah or brioche are both great options. If you’re looking for something a little less sweet, try white country bread. And if you’re looking for something super custardy with a great crunchy exterior, you’ll definitely want to grab a baguette. We call for brioche here, because we want that lightly sweetened bread to match up with the rich, pumpkiny custard, but you could definitely swap it out for any of the other options with excellent results. Do I need to leave the bread out overnight? Traditionally, French toast is made with day-old bread– it was actually first created in an effort to revitalize stale loaves that weren’t fit for other uses– and there’s no denying that slightly dried out bread is better for absorbing all that custard. But if the only bread you have is super fresh, there’s no need to worry. You can toast the slices on a baking rack in the oven at 300° until they’re slightly dried out, about 10 minutes, or even toast them lightly in the toaster. And if you don’t have time to do either, fresh bread will also work in a pinch. How long do I soak my French toast? Well . . . that depends. This recipe calls for soaking the bread for 30 seconds on each side, and this will result in French toast with a super soft, tender center, even after the toast is thoroughly browned. However, if you prefer your French toast with a slightly drier center, consider soaking your bread for less time. Additionally, keep in mind that the thickness of your bread slices and how dry it is will affect how fast the custard soaks in. Our suggestion? Stay with your bread while it’s soaking and keep an eye on it. That way you can pull it when it looks good to you. Made this? Let us know how it went in the comments below. BUY NOW: White Nonstick Skillet, $30; amazon.com
