Magical Challah French Toast Recipe: Barefoot Contessa’s Gem

Weekends call for something special, and this challah French toast recipe delivers pure breakfast bliss with Barefoot Contessa magic.

Golden slices of bread soak up a rich, creamy custard that promises decadence in every bite.

Each piece transforms into a crispy-edged, soft-centered delight that makes mornings feel like a celebration.

Ina Garten’s touch brings elegance to a classic breakfast favorite, turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Soft challah bread absorbs the silky mixture of eggs, cream, and vanilla, creating a luxurious breakfast experience.

The aroma will drift through your kitchen, beckoning everyone to the table.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this irresistible morning treat.

How to Make Challah French Toast

• Flavor Foundation

Whisk together a dreamy blend of eggs, cream, bright orange zest, golden honey, rich vanilla, and a hint of salt in a wide, shallow dish.

• Bread Transformation

Cut challah into thick, pillowy slices and let them luxuriously bathe in the egg mixture, allowing each piece to absorb the luscious flavors.

• Golden Perfection

Melt butter and oil in a sizzling skillet, then gently place soaked bread slices, cooking until they develop a gorgeous caramel-like crust on both sides.

• Warm Welcome

Transfer each beautifully browned slice to a heated oven, keeping them warm and inviting while you finish cooking the remaining pieces.

• Elegant Presentation

Arrange the French toast on beautiful plates, creating a stunning breakfast masterpiece. Drizzle with pure maple syrup, dot with vibrant raspberry preserves, or dust with a delicate snowfall of powdered sugar.

Tips to Customize Challah French Toast

• Experiment with different spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom mixed directly into the egg mixture for an extra flavor punch.
• Prepare the egg mixture and slice the challah the night before, covering both separately in the refrigerator to save morning prep time.
• Use day-old or slightly stale challah for the best texture, as it absorbs the egg mixture more evenly without falling apart during cooking.
• Get creative with toppings like toasted nuts, fresh berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce to transform this classic recipe into a show-stopping breakfast.

Creative Ways to Serve Challah French Toast

• Sprinkle Powdered Sugar Delight: Dust the French toast with a light layer of confectioners' sugar for an elegant, sweet finish that adds a beautiful snowy touch to your breakfast plate.
• Create Fruit Medley Topping: Slice fresh berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries and scatter them over the French toast for a burst of freshness and vibrant color.
• Design Maple Syrup Drizzle: Pour warm pure maple syrup generously over the golden-brown French toast, letting it cascade down the sides for a classic, indulgent breakfast experience.
• Craft Whipped Cream Cloud: Add a dollop of freshly whipped cream on top of the French toast, creating a soft, creamy contrast to the crispy bread and enhancing the overall richness of the dish.

Storage and Reheating Info for Challah French Toast

• Maximize Freshness: Refrigerate leftover French toast in an airtight container for up to 3 days, ensuring crisp edges and soft centers remain delicious.
• Freeze with Ease: Stack cooled French toast between parchment paper layers, seal in freezer bags, and store for 1 month – perfect for quick weekend breakfasts.
• Revive Leftovers: Quickly reheat refrigerated slices in a toaster oven or air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore original crispiness and warmth.
• Smart Meal Prep: Prepare French toast mixture and slice challah bread the night before, covering both separately in the refrigerator to streamline morning cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 6

Challah French Toast: Ingredients You’ll Need

• Challah: Soft, slightly sweet bread perfect for absorbing egg mixture, choose fresh and slightly stale bread for best texture.
• Orange Zest: Bright citrus note that adds unexpected fragrance and enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Eggs, Half-and-Half, Milk: Creamy base creating rich custard-like coating, select farm-fresh eggs for deeper flavor.
• Honey: Natural sweetener adding subtle golden warmth and caramelizing potential.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic depth providing gentle background sweetness.
• Salt: Flavor enhancer balancing sweetness and highlighting other ingredients.

• Butter, Cooking Oil: Creates golden crispy exterior with rich flavor, use combination for optimal browning.
• Maple Syrup: Classic accompaniment offering deep woodsy sweetness.
• Raspberry Preserves: Tangy fruity option for bright contrast.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Delicate powdery finish adding elegant visual appeal and subtle sweetness.

Tools Required for Challah French Toast

• Large shallow dish: Perfect for mixing egg mixture and soaking bread slices.
• Whisk: Essential for blending eggs, half-and-half, and other ingredients smoothly.
• Large sauté pan: Critical for cooking French toast to golden perfection.
• Sheet pan: Helps keep cooked French toast warm in the oven.
• Knife: Used for slicing challah bread into thick, even pieces.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate amounts of honey, vanilla, and other ingredients.
• Spatula: Helps flip French toast and transfer slices between pan and sheet pan.
• Grater: Optional for zesting orange, if needed.

Heavenly Barefoot Contessa Challah French Toast Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s challah French toast delivers rich, custardy slices perfect for weekend brunches. Crisp exterior and silky center make this breakfast classic a comforting indulgence you’ll savor slowly.

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Ingredients

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• 6 extra-large eggs
• 1.5 cups (355 ml) half-and-half or milk
• 1 large loaf of challah or brioche bread
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) good honey
• 1 tsp grated orange zest
• 0.5 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• Unsalted butter
• Vegetable oil
• Pure maple syrup, for serving
• Good raspberry preserves (optional)
• Sifted confectioners’ sugar (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Baking Station: Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C) to maintain toast warmth and crispness during preparation.
2. Create Egg Mixture: Whisk eggs, half-and-half, orange zest, honey, vanilla extract, and salt in a shallow dish until thoroughly combined, creating a rich, aromatic base for soaking bread.
3. Bread Preparation: Slice challah into uniform ¾-inch thick pieces, ensuring even absorption and consistent cooking texture.
4. Soak and Saturate: Immerse bread slices in egg mixture, allowing complete flavor infusion by soaking for 5 minutes and flipping once to guarantee thorough coverage.
5. Cooking Surface: Heat large sauté pan over medium heat, adding butter and oil to create a perfect golden-brown cooking environment for the toast.
6. Culinary Transformation: Cook soaked bread slices for 2-3 minutes per side, developing a caramelized exterior and creating a crisp, luxurious texture.
7. Staging and Serving: Transfer cooked slices to sheet pan in warm oven, continuing to cook remaining pieces and refreshing pan with additional butter and oil as needed.
8. Elegant Presentation: Plate French toast with pure maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and a delicate sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar, creating a visually stunning and delectable breakfast experience.

Notes

• Bread Selection Matters: Use day-old challah for optimal absorption and texture, as fresh bread can become too soggy during soaking.
• Precise Soaking Technique: Allow exactly 5 minutes of soaking, flipping once to ensure even flavor penetration and prevent bread from falling apart.
• Temperature Control is Key: Maintain medium heat to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust without burning the exterior or leaving the interior undercooked.
• Staging Hack: Keep cooked French toast warm in a low-temperature oven to maintain crispiness and serve all pieces simultaneously, ensuring everyone enjoys a hot meal together.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 380 mg