Description
Irish Soda Bread French Toast is a delightful twist on classic French toast using hearty raisin Irish soda bread. This comforting breakfast combines the rich flavors of Irish whiskey, cinnamon, and vanilla bean paste, resulting in golden-brown slices topped with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and fresh berries. Perfect for a festive St. Patrick’s Day morning or any brunch occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
French Toast Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup half and half
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey (optional)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Bread
- 1 loaf raisin Irish soda bread (store-bought or homemade), sliced into 1-inch thick slices
Cooking & Toppings
- Unsalted butter, for cooking
- Maple syrup, for topping
- Powdered sugar, for topping
- Fresh berries, for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the bread slices: Slice the raisin Irish soda bread into 1-inch thick pieces and set them aside to ensure even soaking in the egg mixture.
- Make the egg mixture: In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, half and half, brown sugar, Irish whiskey (if using), vanilla bean paste, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt until fully combined and smooth.
- Heat the pan: Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a 12-inch skillet or frying pan over medium heat, preparing it for cooking the soaked bread slices.
- Soak and cook the bread: Dip each slice of Irish soda bread into the prepared egg mixture, ensuring both sides are well-coated. Place the soaked slices into the hot buttered pan. Cook until each side is golden brown and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side.
- Continue cooking remaining slices: Add more unsalted butter to the pan as needed, and continue dipping and cooking the bread slices until all the French toast is done, maintaining medium heat to avoid burning.
- Serve with toppings: Arrange the cooked French toast on plates and top generously with maple syrup, a dusting of powdered sugar, and fresh berries of your choice for a festive, flavorful finish.
Notes
- This French toast uses raisin Irish soda bread, which gives a unique texture and flavor compared to traditional white bread.
- The Irish whiskey is optional but adds a subtle, authentic flavor that enhances the bread’s richness.
- Using fresh berries and powdered sugar as toppings brightens the dish and adds a lovely contrast to the richness.
- For best results, use thick-cut bread slices to prevent sogginess during soaking.
- This recipe serves 4 and is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any cozy brunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 574 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 996 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 89 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 98 mg
