French toast is undoubtedly a classic breakfast favorite, cherished for its simplicity, sweetness, and endless customizability. While the traditional method involves soaking bread slices in a mixture of whisked eggs and milk before pan-cooking to golden-brown perfection, a TikTok hack has emerged, promising an even more delectable twist to this beloved dish.
In a viral TikTok video with over 27 million views, Sheena (@sheenamarie3568) shares a game-changing variation. The key? Toasting the bread slices before the customary egg and milk bath, elevating the French toast experience to new heights. Intrigued by this unconventional approach, I embarked on a side-by-side comparison, exploring three distinct methods using brioche slices: one with regular bread, another with stale bread (a technique suggested by many, including Kitchn), and the third with pre-toasted bread.
For consistency, each batch utilized the same basic egg mixture — a fusion of two eggs, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The cooking process involved a skillet with two tablespoons of melted butter, ensuring a crisp exterior and a delectably browned finish. A finishing touch of an extra tablespoon of butter and a generous drizzle of maple syrup adorned each serving.
- Classic French Toast: The conventional method proved familiar yet left room for improvement. The egg flavor was slightly overpowering, likely due to uneven cooking of the bread slices. While the edges achieved a delightful toasty hue, the center remained soft and yellow, falling short of the ideal texture.
- French Toast with Stale Bread: Embracing the practice of using stale bread, this approach showcased notable enhancements. The stale bread resisted excessive saturation in the egg mixture, facilitating a seamless transfer to the pan. The result was a more uniformly browned and pleasantly crisp surface, offering a considerable improvement in both texture and flavor.
- French Toast with Toasted Bread: The game-changer, toasting the bread before its egg bath emerged as the standout technique. A brief stint under the broiler or in the toaster prior to dunking ensured even browning in the skillet. The center of each slice maintained an ideal texture, standing up admirably to the egg mixture, maple syrup, and additional melted butter. This simple step, taking only a few extra minutes, delivered a transformative and unparalleled French toast experience.
In the realm of breakfast delights, this innovative twist on French toast proves that sometimes, a small deviation from the norm can make a world of difference. The pre-toasting step adds a layer of complexity and texture that elevates this classic dish to extraordinary heights, making it a breakfast experience to savor.
image source : the kitchn
