Gourmet French Toast (Freezable for a Ready-Set-Go Breakfast)

I love wonderful breakfasts, but I never have time to make myself something extravagantly delicious in the morning. Making freezable gourmet French Toast is an indulgent treat that makes breakfast oh so heavenly.

First you have to start with a good bread. You aren't going to have gourmet French Toast without quality bread. I recommend Challah. Sure, you can probably buy it at your neighborhood bakery, but why not just make it yourself? It's actually pretty easy. This recipe makes 2 loaves which should give you plenty to freeze.


CHALLAH

2 1/2 cups warm water
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup honey
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tablespoon salt
8-9 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg + 1 T water (egg wash)


Directions

1. In a large mixer bowl, sprinkle yeast over barely warm water. Mix in honey, oil, 2 eggs, and salt. Add the flour one cup at a time, mixing on low after each addition, graduating to kneading it on medium to medium high as dough thickens. Knead until smooth and elastic and no longer sticky, adding flour as needed. Cover with a damp clean cloth and let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in bulk.

2. Punch down the risen dough and turn out onto floured surface. Divide in half and knead each half for five minutes or so, adding flour as needed to keep from getting sticky. Divide each half into thirds and roll into long snake about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Put the snakes onto two greased baking trays. Pinch the ends of the three snakes together firmly and braid from middle. Cover with towel and let rise about one hour.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

4. Beat the remaining egg with 1 T water and brush a generous amount over each braid.

5. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 25 minutes. Bread should have a nice hollow sound when thumped on the bottom. Cool on a rack for at least one hour before slicing.



So now that you have your delicious bread, time for the French Toast recipe.


FRENCH TOAST

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 tsp salt
7 eggs
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Challah Loaves, sliced thick

Directions

1. Measure flour into a large mixing bowl. Slowly whisk in the milk. Whisk in the salt, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla extract and sugar until smooth.

2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat.

3. Soak bread slices in mixture until saturated. Cook bread on each side until golden brown.



FREEZING
Now that you've made your French Toast, let the slices cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Lay them in a single layer on a baking tray lined with wax paper. Freeze for a few hours and transfer them to a freezer quality bag.

REHEAT
Reheat the French Toast by microwaving for 30-60 seconds (watch it carefully) or put it in a toaster.



Mmmmmm, delicious breakfasts.