Skip to main content

Baked French Toast

2.6

(14)

Café au Lait Pain Perdu

Perfumed with sweetened espresso and baked to an eggy, custardy consistency, this take on French toast is one of those magical dishes that work just as well for dessert as they do for breakfast.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    45 min

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

12 (1-inch-thick) baguette slices (cut on a long diagonal)
3 tablespoons instant-espresso powder
2 tablespoons hot water
3 cups whole milk
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided
Cinnamon for dusting
Accompaniment: whipped cream

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle and generously butter a 13- by 9-inch shallow baking dish or pan (3-quart; preferably glass or ceramic).

    Step 2

    Arrange bread in 1 layer in baking dish. Dissolve espresso powder in hot water in a large bowl. Whisk in milk, eggs, vanilla, and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth.

    Step 3

    Pour custard over bread, then turn slices over several times so they soak up as much custard as possible. Sprinkle top with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.

    Step 4

    Bake until puffed and set, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in dish on a rack 10 minutes, then dust with cinnamon.

Read More
The secret to juicy grilled chicken, a sheet-cake swap for banana pudding, and more reasons to light up the grill and have people over all summer long.
A beefed-up take on a BBQ staple.
Use the beer, not the can, for this citrusy take on a classic that nods to mojo criollo.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Brown-butter banana cake with banana cream and crunchy vanilla wafers for good measure.
Country-style lemonade with a salty-tangy twist.
We’ve got grilled lemongrass chicken, a fresh tomato michelada, and stonefruit salami panzanella.