Description

A French toast upgrade: soaked in a Grand Marnier custard and fried in butter until golden. Brunch just got more interesting.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup whole milk (240 ml)

3 large eggs

1 tablespoon dark or light brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon Grand Marnier (or rum, brandy, or another liqueur)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 pinch salt

8 slices French bread (day-old, 1/2-inch thick)

2 tablespoons butter (for cooking, more as needed)

1 tablespoon neutral oil (optional, for pan-frying)

1/2 cup maple syrup, warmed with a little butter

Powdered sugar, for dusting

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Step 1 – Make the custard

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, liqueur, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth.

Step 2 – Soak the bread

Dip each slice of bread in the custard, letting it sit about 30–60 seconds per side. The bread should absorb the mixture without becoming too soggy.

Step 3 – Fry the toast

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and a little oil if using. Fry the soaked bread slices in batches, about 2 minutes per side, until both sides are golden. Add more butter or oil as needed for subsequent batches.

Step 4 – Serve

Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately with the warmed maple syrup.

Notes

Bread: A day-old baguette or French loaf is best — it soaks up the custard without falling apart. Brioche or challah work if you prefer something richer.

Liqueur choice: Grand Marnier adds subtle orange notes, while rum gives warmth. Use what you like, but don’t skip the step — it’s the point of “boozy” French toast.

Butter and oil: Combining the two prevents burning while keeping the flavor of butter.

Serving: Bacon, fruit, or a glass of orange juice all work as natural companions.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Brunch, Dessert, Side Dish
Method: Pan Frying
Cuisine: French American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 slices
Calories: 295
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 285mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 9g
Cholesterol: 115mg