French toast made with already-delicious challah bread soaked in a custard flavored with orange and almond, fried to crispy perfection, then topped with homemade whipped cream flavored with orange marmalade. I can’t even handle.
My cousin Megan introduced me to this recipe last weekend and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Obsessed as in two days after already eating an unnecessary of this French toast for breakfast, I made double the amount two days later and had French toast every morning (and sometimes lunch)(and dessert) this week. No shame.
What Megan did different from your standard french-toast recipe is soaking (not just dipping) the bread slices in a custard simply made in your food processor, mixer, or like I did – blender! The french toast is delicious enough to eat on its own, so after the addition of this homemade whipped cream you’ll be in french toast heaven. Let’s start with the bread.
The Bread
This is my third French toast recipe on the blog and every recipe I insist challah is the best choice simply because it is! I recently catered a Jewish wedding and lemme just say I hope I light Scott’s face up the way these guests faces were lit when they saw sliced challah coming their way. It’s made with eggs and slightly sweet. If you’ve never had challah treat yourself.
For this recipe you can find a loaf in pretty much any grocery store’s bakery. One loaf will yield you 8-10 slices, so plan accordingly!
The Custard
It really doesn’t get any easier than this custard and the extra step of whipping it up in the blender or processor makes SUCH a difference. You’ll see in the recipe the sweeteners and flavorings, like orange zest, cinnamon, sugar, and almond extract. The almond extract adds such a distinct flavor that totally makes the French toast. I know it’s not a common staple ingredient, however you can find it in the baking isle or with the McCormick products for like $4!
The bread gets soaked for 8 minutes on each side then it’s ready to cook! Frying can be done in any large pan or skillet, or whatever you typically cook your French toast in. I recommend one of those large electric skillets so you can cook all your bread in one batch. After the bread is finished, pop it in the oven for a few minutes and get started the whipped cream *insert drooling emoji here*
The Whipped Cream
Let’s just say my whipped cream ways are forever changed. Homemade whipped cream is so easy and should become a habit in your kitchen and flavoring it with orange marmalade needs to be a regular. This was just the icing on the cake and totally needed in this recipe.
So what better way to start your morning than orange & almond flavored french toast and a marmalade whipped cream?
This is one of those you wake up to eat just to crawl back in bed recipes. I know you’re going to enjoy the ^$#& out of this.
PS: check out Megan’s photography here!
- 8 (1-inch) thick slices challah bread (1 loaf)*
- 4 eggs, room temp
- 1 cup low fat half-and half
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract*
- 1 pinch salt
- 3-4 tablespoons butter
- maple syrup if desired
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons orange marmalade (or more if desired)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Add the eggs to a blender, food processor, or a hand held mixer and process for 30 seconds. Add the half and half, sugar, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, zest, and almond extract. Process for another 30 seconds.
- Pour the custard in a large baking dish, big enough for all bread slices.
- Lay the slices in the custard, spooning some of the custard over the top, and allow to soak for 8 minutes. Turn the bread slices, and soak for another 8 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet or a large griddle to medium heat. Melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter, evenly coating the skillet. Add the slices and fry 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Repeat until all bread slices are cooked.
- Transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes in the oven. Top with Marmalade Whipped Cream (below), syrup, and fresh fruit.
- Add the heavy cream to a large bowl and beat with a hand-held mixer until thick, about 3-minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat 2-3 more minutes until stiff peaks form. At this point, you should have whipped cream.
- Using a rubber spatula, fold in the orange marmalade a tablespoon at a time, tasting, and adding more as desired. I ended up using 3-4 tablespoons. Serve atop French toast.
- *it is preferred that the bread is a day old, or left uncovered on the counter for an hour before making. Challah is ideal, but you can substitute for French bread.
- *the almond extract gives the French toast distinct flavor, do not skip this ingredient!!
OMG. The texture looks incredible – I love the thickness – and I LOVE the almond addition. YUM.
This looks absolutely divine. Nice work!! I want that for brunch tomorrow 🙂
Thank you!!!