Chocolate French Toast

Brace yourselves for the best French Toast EVER!  I’m not kidding, yesterday’s chocolate challah bread was, as I suspected, the perfect venue for French toast.  Not too sweet, but the right texture, it yielded a crusty-on-the-outside, puffed-and-creamy-on-the-inside French toast with a rich chocolate flavor.  The addition of the orange enhanced it even more, and I found myself moaning with pleasure at every bite.

Chocolate French Toast

2 extra-large eggs

3/4 cup half-and-half or milk

1 teaspoon grated orange zest 

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon maple syrup

½ teaspoon orange oil

Pinch of kosher salt

4 slices chocolate challah bread

Unsalted butter

Vegetable oil

To serve:

Pure maple syrup

Grated orange zest

Sifted confectioners' sugar 

In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, orange zest, vanilla, orange oil, maple syrup, and salt. Slice the challah into 3/4-inch thick slices. Soak slices in the egg mixture for 3 minutes, turning once.

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Serve hot topped with orange zest, maple syrup, and confectioners' sugar.

This post is linked to:

On the Menu Monday

Totally Tasty Tuesdays

Try a New Recipe Tuesday

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Foodie Friday

Sunday's Best Party