Orange Brioche French Toast is a fantastic way to elevate your breakfast. It also makes a perfect brunch recipe. The combination of rich brioche, zesty orange, and warm cinnamon offers flavors that are both comforting and sophisticated. This recipe is not only a treat for your palate but also a feast for the eyes, making it great for special occasions or when you want to pamper yourself with a luxurious breakfast.
Orange Brioche French Toast is a warm and cozy breakfast. Homemade French Toast is simple to make with just a few ingredients and it is delicious. This has a subtle orange flavor which adds a bit of brightness.
Brioche is a tender French bread that is made with eggs and butter. It is rich and soft which makes a wonderful French Toast. If you cannot find a Brioche you can use Challah Bread.
You can make this on a griddle or in a skillet. If you need to cook it in batches, you can simply keep it warm in the oven until you have finished cooking them all. You want this to come out brown and crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
If you would like to try another French toast recipe, check out Pumpkin French Toast, Apple Cinnamon Overnight French Toast, Blueberry French Toast Bake, and Cranberry Orange French Toast Bake, Egg Nog French Toast and Cranberry Orange French Toast Roll Ups.
SOME THINGS TO KNOW: FAQ’S
INGREDIENT TIPS:
- Choose high quality brioche bread for the best results. Brioche is known for its rich, buttery flavor and soft texture, which is ideal for French toast. A slice of brioche ½ inch thick works best.
- Fresh bread is not the best choice when making French toast. Slightly stale bread will soak up the custard better. Read Stale Bread = French Toast.
- For an adult brunch version for special occasions add a couple tablespoons of Grand Marnier to the egg/ milk mixture when making the French toast.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
- Large Bowl: Needed for whisking together the eggs, milk, orange juice, orange zest, and cinnamon. A bowl with enough space will make it easier to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
- Whisk or Fork: To beat the eggs and blend the custard mixture smoothly. A whisk is preferable for achieving a more uniform mixture.
- Grater or Zester: For obtaining the orange zest. A fine grater or microplane zester works best for getting just the flavorful outer part of the orange peel without the bitter white pith.
- Shallow Dish or Pie Plate: Useful for soaking the brioche slices in the egg mixture. It should be wide enough to fit a slice of bread.
- Large Skillet or Griddle: A non-stick skillet or a griddle is ideal for cooking the French toast. It provides even heat distribution and makes flipping the bread easier. If you are cooking for many people, a griddle allows you to cook multiple slices at once.
- Spatula: Needed for flipping the French toast. A wide, flexible spatula is best for this purpose to handle the soaked bread gently without breaking it.
- Citrus Juicer (Optional): If you are squeezing fresh orange juice, a citrus juicer can make the process easier and more efficient.
- Wire Rack and Baking Sheet (Optional): If you are making the french toast in batches, you can keep cooked slices warm in an oven set at a low temperature. Place the French toast on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to maintain its crispness.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- If brioche is not available, you can substitute with challah bread, which is similarly rich and fluffy. Another option is to use a thick-sliced white bread.
- For a dairy free version, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk can be used in place of the whole milk. For a richer custard, you might try half and half, light cream or heavy cream.
- In a pinch, store bought orange juice can work, but the flavor might not be as vibrant as freshly squeezed juice.
HOW TO STORE ORANGE BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST:
- Refrigerated French toast can be kept for 2-3 days. Allow the French toast to cool to room temperature. Place the French toast in a single layer into an airtight container. If you need to stack the slices, put a layer of parchment paper between each toast to prevent sticking.
- Frozen French toast can be frozen for up to 3 months. As with refrigeration, make sure the French toast is completely cool before freezing. Lay the French toast slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them for about an hour or until they are firm. This step prevents the slices from sticking together in the freezer. Once the slices are firm, transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container.
- There is no need to thaw the French toast before reheating; they can go straight from the freezer to the oven or toaster.
HOW TO REHEAT ORANGE BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST:
- To reheat the orange brioche french toast in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the French toast on a wire rack set over a baking sheet or sheet pan (to allow air to circulate and prevent the toast from getting soggy. Heat for 8-10 minutes or until heated through. This method is great for reheating multiple slices at once.
- For a quick and easy method, especially for individual slices, use a toaster or toaster oven. Set it to a medium setting and heat until warmed through and slightly crispy.
- You can also reheat the orange brioche french toast in a skillet over medium heat. You can add a little butter for extra crispiness. Heat each side for 1-2 minutes.
- Avoid using a microwave for reheating, as it can make the French toast soggy.
In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together the eggs, milk, orange juice, orange zest, and cinnamon.
Dip the brioche slices into the egg mixture. Let them stay for a 10- 15 seconds on each side.
Cook the bread slices for 2-3 minutes on each side, until it is golden brown.
Orange Brioche French Toast
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Ingredients
- 1 loaf brioche bread, sliced into ½ inch thick slices
- 5 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 – 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
If you will be cooking the French toast in batches, preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
In a shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk together the eggs, milk, orange juice, orange zest, and cinnamon.
Take as many slices of bread that you can fit on your griddle or in your skillet and dip them into the egg mixture. Let them stay for a 10- 15 seconds on the first side so they absorb the egg mixture then turn them to the other side for another 10-15 seconds. You want the bread to be completely moistened but if the bread is left too long in the mixture it will become soggy.
While you are soaking the bread. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium low heat.
Add a tablespoon of butter to the pan, moving it around so it coats the entire surface.
Add the bread slices to the pan and repeat the process until you have filled the pan.
Cook the bread slices for 2-3 minutes on each side, until it is golden brown. Check it often to see the color.
Keep the French toast warm in the oven by placing it on a baking sheet if you are cooking in batches.
Add more butter to the pan as needed to cook all of the toast.
Serve with syrup.
