Challah French Toast

from 6 votes

Kick up a breakfast classic with an easy, crowd-friendly recipe for Challah French Toast topped with fresh fruit and warm maple syrup.

A white plate containing Challah French Toast with syrup being drizzled on top

Nothing says “Merry Christmas!” in our house quite like a homemade brunch enjoyed on a living room floor covered with wrapping paper. And every year, my mom Noni comes up big with a menu of softly scrambled eggs with fresh chives, maple sausage, fruit salad and a carb of choice.

Most years, the designated carb is her famous pancakes, but this year, we’re switching it up and serving my new favorite spin on a breakfast classic: Challah French Toast!

A white dish containing eggs and heavy cream alongside sliced Challah bread on a wood cutting board

We’ve covered French toast in countless forms around here, from Easy Cinnamon French Toast Sticks and Stuffed French Toast to Cinnamon French Toast Muffins and Overnight French Toast Bake. But now I’m returning to the good ol’ classic custard and buttery bread combo.

A white baking dish with sliced Challah bread soaking in a French toast custard

Thick-cut slices of Challah (or brioche!) are soaked in a vanilla custard mixture that’s given a citrusy kick courtesy of freshly grated orange zest. A few shakes of cinnamon rounds out one seriously stellar flavor profile fit for breakfast or brunch 365 days a year.

A sauté pan with melted butter and Challah French Toast cooking in it

The bread is then pan-fried in melted butter until it’s golden brown and slightly crisped on the edges. Then all that’s left to do is pick your toppings of choice, from a simple drizzle of warm maple syrup or a spoonful or fresh fruit to a decadent addition of caramelized bananas or a shower of powdered sugar.

What’s your go-to breakfast carb of choice? Sound off in the comments below!

A white plate with Challah French Toast topped with fruit and a carafe of syrup

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Breakfast

Challah French Toast

Add a seasonal spin to a breakfast favorite with this quick and easy recipe for Challah French Toast. 
Author: Kelly Senyei
4.84 from 6 votes
A white plate containing Challah French Toast with syrup being drizzled on top
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • Unsalted butter, for cooking
  • 8 (1-inch thick) slices Challah bread
  • Maple syrup, for serving

Instructions 

  • In a large shallow dish, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, orange zest and light brown sugar.  
  • Place a large sauté pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter has melted, dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture, coating it on all sides and shaking off any excess, then place it in the pan.
  • Cook the bread until golden, about 2 minutes, then flip it once and cook it an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat the cooking process, adding more butter as needed, with the remaining slices of bread. 
  • Top the French toast with maple syrup and serve immediately.
  • ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 169mg, Sodium: 383mg, Potassium: 261mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 335IU, Vitamin C: 0.7mg, Calcium: 187mg, Iron: 2.8mg

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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.


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Comments

  1. 4 stars
    Is there a trick to mixing the cinnamon in? It seems to sit on the surface every time I make this no matter what I try.

    1. Hi Natalie! Here’s a tip: Whisk together the cinnamon with a little milk to form a wet paste. Then add the eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, light brown sugar and the rest of the milk. Whisk until smooth.

      1. My favorite recipe! I love the orange zest, it puts this French toast over the top, but I leave it out when making it for my family because they don’t care for that flavor. I like to top it with homemade whipped cream and berries and warm real maple syrup….AMAZING!

  2. 5 stars
    made this on a whim one morning with leftover challah. it was a huge hit with kids and adults alike. bookmarking this one- thanks!

  3. 5 stars
    I made this a couple of weeks ago. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since we had french toast. The citrus in it is pleasantly bright! My hubby and I thought it was amazing! I did let the bread sit for about 15 minutes each side so flavors could get in there. Today I’m making it with almond extract instead of vanilla. Yum!

  4. 5 stars
    I just made this and it was delicious. Such a great flavor! This will be my go-to recipe for French toast from now on.