Well, let me tell you, making a good ol’ French toast ain’t no fancy business. It’s real simple, but boy, when you get it right, it’ll make your whole house smell so good you won’t even need coffee to wake up! And you know, I’ve been makin’ this French toast for years. My family loves it, and it don’t matter if it’s breakfast, brunch, or even dessert, it’s always a hit. Now, y’all probably heard of Paula Deen, that Southern cookin’ queen. She’s got a way of makin’ food that’ll make your heart skip a beat. Today, I’m gonna share with you how to make Paula Deen’s French toast, but with a little twist. It’s easy, and you don’t have to be a chef to do it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 loaf of French bread (about 1 pound, cut into 1-inch slices)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (optional, but it sure adds some flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- Butter (for greasing the pan and cooking)
- Maple syrup (for serving)
Directions to Make Paula Deen French Toast
Now, first thing you wanna do is get that French bread. Don’t go buyin’ any fancy bread. Just a nice loaf of French bread from the store will do. You want to slice it up into about 1-inch thick slices. Make sure they’re nice and even, but don’t stress if they ain’t perfect, nobody’s gonna be lookin’ that close!
Next up, grab a big ol’ bowl and crack those eggs into it. You want to beat ‘em real good, nice and frothy. Once you got that done, pour in the milk and heavy cream. Mix ‘em all up, then throw in your sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Stir it like you mean it! You wanna make sure everything’s well mixed so the bread soaks up all that goodness when we dunk it.
Now, get yourself a big ol’ baking dish, something that’s at least 9×13 inches. You want it to be big enough to hold all those slices of bread. Butter that dish real good. You don’t want the bread to stick! Lay those slices of bread in there, overlapping them like you’re makin’ a little bread puzzle. Don’t worry too much about the shape, just get ’em in there.
Now, pour that egg mixture all over the bread. Make sure it gets soaked real good, especially the edges. You want every piece of bread to be nice and soggy with that egg mix. Don’t rush this part—let the bread sit in there for about 10 minutes so it can soak up the liquid. If you got time, let it sit in the fridge overnight, but if not, don’t worry, it’ll still turn out tasty!
Cooking the French Toast
Once you got it all ready, it’s time to cook! Preheat your oven to 350°F. Pop that dish in the oven and bake it for about 40 minutes. It’ll start to puff up, and when you see it turn golden brown on top, that’s when you know it’s done. The smell of that cinnamon and vanilla will be enough to make you wanna eat the whole thing right there!
Once it’s all baked, take it out and let it cool for just a minute. Don’t burn your mouth now! And then, if you like it sweet, drizzle some maple syrup on top. You can even add a dollop of whipped cream if you’re feelin’ fancy. But let me tell ya, it don’t need much else. That French toast is so good on its own, you won’t even believe it!
Tips for Perfect French Toast
- Use day-old bread. The older bread soaks up the egg mixture better and holds together while cooking.
- If you want a crispier French toast, you can always cook it on the stovetop instead of baking it. Just fry it in a pan with a little butter until it’s golden brown on both sides.
- Don’t be afraid to add a little extra vanilla or cinnamon if you like stronger flavors. It makes a big difference!
- If you’re makin’ it for a crowd, you can double the recipe and bake it in two dishes. Easy peasy!
So there you have it, y’all. Paula Deen’s French toast recipe—simple, easy, and mighty tasty. Don’t let nobody tell you you can’t make a good breakfast at home. You just gotta have the right ingredients and a little patience. Now, go ahead and give it a try, and I bet your family will be askin’ for seconds before you know it!
Tags:[Paula Deen French Toast, French Toast Recipe, Easy French Toast, Southern Breakfast, Baked French Toast, Maple Syrup]