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Cinnamon Apple French Toast
I make this when there is slightly stale bread hanging around and a couple of apples that need using. The apples cook down with cinnamon and a bit of sugar while the toast soaks in a simple egg custard. It smells like a bakery but it is just a skillet job. Do not rush the apples or they stay crunchy and watery.
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Steps
1.
1.
Cook The Apples**
Melt 15 g butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add apple slices, brown sugar, lemon juice, and half the cinnamon. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the apples are soft and glossy. Keep warm on low.
2.
Mix The Custard
In a shallow dish, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla, remaining cinnamon, and salt until smooth. The mixture should look even with no streaks of egg white.
3.
Soak The Bread
Dip each bread slice into the custard for about 20 seconds per side. Let excess drip back into the dish. Soft bread needs less time so it does not fall apart.
4.
Fry The Toast
Melt the remaining butter in a clean skillet over medium heat. Cook the soaked slices 2 to 3 minutes per side until deep golden. Work in batches so the pan is not crowded.
5.
Plate And Top
Stack or fan the French toast on plates. Spoon the warm cinnamon apples over the top. Add a little maple syrup or a dusting of icing sugar if you want.
6.
Serve Right Away
Eat while the toast is still crisp at the edges and the apples are hot. Cold French toast gets soggy fast.
Ingredients
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Why this works
Day-old bread soaks without collapsing. Cooking the apples separately concentrates their flavor so the toast stays custardy rather than wet. A hot buttered pan gives you color before the inside overcooks.
Substitutions
- Milk: oat or almond milk works for a dairy-light version if you still use eggs.
- Brown sugar: white sugar plus a drop of molasses, or honey.
- Apples: pears cook the same way.
- Bread: brioche or challah make it richer; sandwich bread is fine.
Storage and reheating
Store toast and apples separately in the fridge up to 2 days. Reheat toast in a toaster oven or dry skillet so it crisps again. Warm apples in a small pan with a splash of water. Freezing is possible for the toast alone; reheat from frozen in a hot oven at 180°C / 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Equipment
Two skillets (or one, used in sequence)
Shallow dish for soaking
Whisk
Spatula
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