Growing up, homemade french toast was reserved for special occasions like Christmas morning. This easy recipe always seemed fancier than pancakes or waffles with slices of bread dipped in an egg mixture swirling with vanilla extract, whole milk, and cinnamon.

I always thought this was the way to make perfect french toast until I used the french bread called brioche. Brioche bread brings this classic breakfast recipe to a whole new level!

This is a breakfast dish that feels so fancy, not because you spent hours in the kitchen, but because you are using wonderful ingredients.

What Makes Brioche Different than Most Bread?

No one can deny that brioche bread is a treat. A slice of brioche bread is light, eggy, and slightly sweet. The airy texture makes it perfect for

• toast
• jam
• bread pudding
• and of course the best bread for French toast!

If you can't find a brioche loaf, you can use my top choices of challah bread, Texas toast, or regular bread.

The Best Brioche French Toast Recipe Ingredients

To make this delicious french toast, try to find a loaf of brioche bread. You can make homemade brioche bread or for ease, or if you are like me, just buy it at the local grocery store or bakery. 

• bakery (or homemade) Brioche Bread
• eggs
• milk
• half & half- mixing this with whole milk is a bit lighter than using heavy cream.
• Nielsen-Massey vanilla (my favorite brand!)
• cinnamon
• nutmeg

Related Recipes: Dutch Baby Pancake, Cinnamon Swirl Bread, Homemade Everything Bagels, Homemade Birchermuesli, Zucchini Carrot Muffins

How to Make the Best Brioche French Toast

Slice bread into 2-inch slices and set aside. Try not to sneak a bite or two. It will be hard, but I know you can do it! 

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the rest of the ingredients and pour into a shallow bowl or dish- like a pie dish.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with vegetable oil and tablespoon butter.

Working in small batches, dip one side of sliced bread into the egg mixture so that it is wet, giving it a good soak, but not to the point the bread falls apart.

Flip and dip the other side; using a fork or your finger works really well with this step.

Place dipped bread into the hot pan and cook on medium heat until golden brown. Do not crowd the pan as you may only fit 2 pieces at a time. 

Serve this perfect breakfast with butter, fresh fruit, berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, or confectioner sugar.

Secret Ingredient for Next Level French Toast

Want to know how to dress up your regular french toast to make the best breakfast ever? Use orange zest! This simple addition will make the flavor pop and will delight everyone in the whole family! I like using a Microplane zester for the best results.

Where can You find Brioche Bread?

When walking through the bakery section of Whole Foods, I saw a loaf of soft brioche bread and thought this would make an amazing french toast! Where can you find it?

• If your store has a bakery where they make specialty loaves of bread, this is where to go. 
• You can also stop at your local bakery as I am sure they will have it there as well. 

Using this type of bread in a classic french toast recipe was such a major upgrade I don’t think I’ll ever go back to regular bread again.

Can You Toast Brioche Bread?

What is Brioche Bread Used For?

Brioche bread has many uses for enjoying this delicate eggy bread.

Make sure to look for the signature shiny crust to know you've found this pillowy goodness. 

• Enjoy as a fancy dinner roll, smeared with hot butter for holiday dinners or entertaining guests. 
• When ordering your favorite burger, you may notice that it is served on a brioche bun instead of a hard roll. 
• Use in your favorite bread pudding recipe. The flavor of sweet egg custard paired with firm bread will be divine when baked and served!
• Of course, this makes the best french toast recipe too! 

Some of our Favorite Kitchen Tools you will need to Make This Great Recipe

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If you're looking for a way to enjoy a french toast casserole, here is another great french toast recipe to try! 

Have leftover French toast?

If you have leftovers from this delicious breakfast, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To freeze, wrap in plastic wrap and place in a zip-top baggie to keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Reheat in a toaster oven or place on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper and reheat in the oven at 200 degrees for 10 minutes, turning over and then heating for an additional 10 minutes or until heated through.

Enjoy this wonderful dish for mother's day or as a special treat on your holiday brunch table!