Save I stumbled on this trick during a snowed-in weekend when I was out of milk but had plenty of vanilla ice cream in the freezer. Something about the extra cream in ice cream creates this impossibly tender custard that makes every bite feel like a restaurant dessert. Now it's the only way my family asks for French toast, and I keep a pint specifically stashed away for breakfast emergencies.
Last summer my sister came to visit and I made this for her birthday breakfast. She took one bite, set down her fork, and demanded I teach her the secret right then at the table. Now she makes it every Sunday for her kids, and they call it birthday toast even when it is not anyones birthday.
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick cut bread such as brioche or challah slightly stale: Using bread that is a day or two old is actually better here because it absorbs that rich custard without falling apart. Brioche gives you that buttery tender crumb while challah has a slightly chewier texture that stands up beautifully to the soaking process.
- 2 cups 480 ml premium ice cream vanilla or your favorite flavor melted: The magic ingredient that makes this recipe special. Premium ice cream has a higher butterfat content which translates to an incredibly silky custard. Vanilla is classic but cinnamon or coffee ice cream can transform this into something completely unexpected.
- 2 large eggs: These help bind everything together and give the French toast structure so it does not just turn into mush in the pan.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional: A subtle warmth that rounds out the sweetness without making it taste like a spice cookie.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract optional: Even if you use vanilla ice cream, this extra hit of vanilla deepens the flavor profile.
- Pinch of salt: Do not skip this. It makes all the flavors pop and balances the sugar in the ice cream.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter: For cooking the French toast. Butter gives you those golden edges and that slight caramelization that you cannot get from oil.
Instructions
- Whisk together your liquid gold base:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted ice cream, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is completely smooth. The melted ice cream will be thick and luxurious, which is exactly what you want.
- Get your skillet ready:
- Preheat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and let it melt and foam slightly. You want the butter to sizzle when you add the bread.
- Soak each slice:
- Dip each bread slice into the ice cream custard, letting it soak for 10 to 15 seconds per side. You want the bread saturated but not falling apart. Let any excess custard drip off before transferring to the pan.
- Cook to golden perfection:
- Place soaked bread slices onto the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until deeply golden brown with caramelized edges. Add more butter as needed for additional batches.
- Rest before serving:
- Transfer cooked French toast to a wire rack for a minute so the exterior stays crisp. This tiny resting period makes such a difference in texture.
Save My daughter started requesting this for sleepover breakfasts, and now her friends text me beforehand asking if the special toast is on the menu. Watching them pile around the table, still in pajamas, debating who gets the last piece, these are the moments that turned a simple recipe into a tradition.
Make It Your Own
I have experimented with different ice cream flavors and some combinations are absolutely genius. Chocolate ice cream makes a decadent dessert style French toast while butter pecan adds this incredible nuttiness that pairs perfectly with maple syrup. Just remember that sweeter or more flavored ice creams need less additional toppings.
The Bread Secret
After making this dozens of times, I have learned that the bread matters more than almost anything else. Thick cut brioche is my go to, but Texas toast works in a pinch. The key is buying the bread a day ahead and leaving it uncovered on the counter. That slight stale quality is what lets the bread drink up all that custard without turning into mush.
Perfect Pairings
This French toast is rich enough to stand on its own, but the right toppings can take it over the top. Fresh berries add tartness that cuts through all that creaminess. Whipped cream makes it feel like a proper dessert. And good quality maple syrup is non negotiable for me.
- Try topping with a dollop of Greek yogurt and honey for something slightly lighter
- Toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts add the most amazing crunch
- A sprinkle of sea salt on top of the maple syrup creates this salted caramel effect
Save This is the kind of recipe that turns a random Tuesday into something worth celebrating. I hope it becomes a staple in your kitchen the way it has in mine.