Spiced Apple Walnut French Toast

 

Back home, the brisk chilliness of the house in the fall is that familiar feeling that welcomes me first thing on a weekend morning. It features all of the possibilities of a comforting and soul-warming breakfast, one that is at its most divinely delicious.

Comforting sweet eats are the gifts that we wait patiently for all week long while we are being ripped from our sleep way too early, and rushed into action before we’re ready.

I never liked french toast. It was soggy. It was eggy. It was not something I enjoyed. But fast forward to today and I’m singing a different tune. I figured out that I don’t have a problem with it. I just have a problem with it done the wrong way.

And what exactly is the right way?  First and foremost, don’t skimp on the bread. Make sure you’re using a sturdy, sweet artisan bread, which will hold up against the moisture of the egg dip. If your bread is a little stale, even better! It will help protect against the dish getting too soggy. I used Norlander bread. A bread that’s tight, compact, and somewhat heavy. Or you can go the more traditional route and use Brioche or Challah Bread.

One of the beautiful things about french toast is that it can be dressed up for the season. Seasonal apples, brown sugar, warm cinnamon, make for the perfect topping. Instead of traditional maple syrup, this recipe get’s its sweetness from the spiced, sautéed, syrupy apples. Topped with some nuts for the extra crunch.

Sweet syrup, spices and rich, buttery bites can almost be tasted before any are even produced from the hot stove.  This Spiced Apple Walnut French Toast recipe is absolutely made the right way and is the perfect fall brunch recipe!

Ingredients

For the Sauteed Apples

• 2 apples, sliced
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 80 grams unsalted butter
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• dash each of nutmeg, cloves and all-spice

For the French Toast

• 4 slices of sweet artisan bread, (Brioche, Challah, Norlander…) 
• 1½ cups whole milk
• 3 large eggs
• 3 tbsps light brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 30 grams butter, melted
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp vanilla (optional)
• ½ cup nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds… ) 

Directions

For the Spiced Apples and Syrup

1. In a large saucepan add apples, ½ cup light brown sugar,  butter,cinnamon, and spices. Cook over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, stirring constantly, until apples are tender. Remove from heat and set aside.

French Toast

1. In a large baking dish whisk together milk, eggs, light brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, salt and vanilla.
2. In a large skillet gently heat 1 tbsp butter over until foaming. Quickly dip a slice of bread into the milk mixture, 2-3 seconds per side. Transfer bread to the skillet and repeat so that two slices are in the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Repeat cooking with the remaining two slices of bread, adding more butter as needed.
3. Serve warm and top with spiced apples, syrup from the pan, and nuts.

Bon Appetit 🙂