Tricks for making cafe-style French toast, which won't burn, won't get soggy, and will cook perfectly in 25 minutes.

foto: Pixabay/Silke

The combination of sweet and savory suits local tastes, plus its flexible serving style means it can be enjoyed at any time.

Brilio.net - The sweet aroma of vanilla and cinnamon wafting, the texture of the bread that is crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, plus melted butter and a glossy drizzle of maple syrup - that's the undeniable charm of French toast. This iconic breakfast dish has become a mainstay menu at various cafes, captivating culinary lovers with its Instagram-worthy appearance and tongue-pleasing taste.

French toast, also known as 'pain perdu' in France, actually has a rather surprising history. Contrary to its name, this dish was first recorded in an ancient Roman recipe in the 5th century! At that time, French toast was a smart solution to utilize hardened bread. Who would have thought, this 'leftover dish' has now transformed into a premium dish that can reach tens of thousands of rupiah per portion in trendy cafes.

In Indonesia, French toast has been warmly welcomed because of its easy-to-understand taste. The combination of sweet and savory suits local tastes, plus its flexible way of serving makes it suitable for any time - not just for breakfast.

However, making perfect French toast like in a cafe is not as easy as soaking bread in eggs and then frying it. Many people experience classic problems: bread that is too soft and wet in the middle, the outside that burns before the inside is cooked, or an uneven texture. But don't worry! This article will reveal the secret to making cafe-style French toast that is guaranteed to work, even for beginners.

photo: shutterstock.com

Before we get into the recipe, there are a few basic principles to keep in mind to produce cafe-quality French toast:

1. Choosing the right bread.

- Use thick white bread (at least 1 inch or 2.5 cm)
- Choose bread that is 1-2 days old, because the texture is more stable when soaked.
- Avoid bread that is too fresh because it crumbles easily.

2. The perfect egg mixture.

- Use a 1:4 ratio of milk to eggs (eg: 1 egg to 60ml of milk)
- Add vanilla extract and cinnamon for aroma.
- Beat until thoroughly mixed.

3. Correct soaking technique.

- Soak the bread for a maximum of 20 seconds per side.
- Allow excess liquid to drip off before cooking.
- Don't soak it for too long so that the bread doesn't crumble easily.

4. Cooking temperature and time.

- Use medium-low heat
- Cook about 3-4 minutes per side
- Make sure the butter doesn't burn by replacing it every batch.

After understanding the basic techniques above, it's time to practice how to make French toast in several mouth-watering variations. Here are three French toast recipes that have been optimized for beginners and can be practiced in just 25 minutes. Each recipe is equipped with the right measurements and detailed steps, so the results are expected to be satisfying.

Material:
- 6 slices of thick white bread
- 2 eggs
- 120 ml full cream milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter for frying

How to make:
1. Combine eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Beat until well blended.
2. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
3. Dip the bread into the egg mixture for 20 seconds per side.
4. Melt 1/2 tbsp butter in a frying pan.
5. Fry the bread for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
6. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Material:
- 6 slices of thick white bread
- 2 eggs
- 120 ml full cream milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 6 tbsp chocolate sprinkles
- 100 gr grated cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tbsp butter for frying

How to make:
1. Beat eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl until smooth.
2. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
3. Spread one side of the bread with butter.
4. Sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles and grated cheese to taste.
5. Cover with another bread, press gently
6. Dip the sandwich into the egg mixture for 20 seconds per side.
7. Melt 1/2 tbsp butter in a frying pan.
8. Fry on medium-low heat for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
9. Serve warm with a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk.

Material:
- 6 slices of thick white bread
- 2 eggs
- 120 ml full cream milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 ripe plantains
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp butter for frying
- 50 ml thick coconut milk
- Roasted sesame for sprinkling (optional)

How to make:
1. Beat eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl until smooth.
2. Slice the banana diagonally 1 cm thick
3. Make the sauce: melt the sugar in a pan until brown.
4. Add 1 tbsp of butter and coconut milk to the sugar, stir until it thickens. Set aside
5. Heat a new non-stick frying pan over medium heat.
6. Melt the remaining butter
7. Dip the bread into the egg mixture for 20 seconds per side.
8. Fry on medium-low heat for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
9. Arrange the bananas on top of the French toast.
10. Pour over the caramel sauce that has been made.
11. Sprinkle with roasted sesame seeds if desired.
12. Serve while warm

(brl/tin)