Save to Pinterest The sound of my roommate laughing still rings in my ears when I think about this recipe. I'd been hoarding a jar of Nutella during finals week, spreading it on anything I could find, when inspiration struck at 1 AM. With only brioche left in our near-empty fridge, I whisked together what became this decadent Nutella French toast. Sometimes the most luxurious breakfasts are born from simple midnight cravings and whatever ingredients happen to be on hand.
Last winter, my sister visited with her kids during a particularly heavy snowfall. School canceled, we found ourselves with a full house and hungry children bouncing off the walls by 8 AM. This French toast saved the morning, transforming an ordinary snow day into a special occasion. The kitchen windows steamed up as we cooked, creating a cozy barrier against the swirling snow outside while little hands reached eagerly for seconds.
Ingredients
- Brioche bread: The buttery richness of brioche creates the perfect foundation, but I once made this with day-old croissants sliced lengthwise and nearly fainted from how good it was.
- Nutella: The star of the show deserves proper handling, so I keep it at room temperature for easy spreading without tearing the bread.
- Heavy cream: I stumbled upon this addition when I ran low on milk one morning, and now I refuse to make French toast without it, as it creates a custard so velvety youll wonder how you lived without it.
- Cinnamon: Just a whisper transforms the flavor profile, connecting the chocolate notes to the vanilla in a way that makes everything taste more complete.
Instructions
- Build your sandwiches:
- Spread a generous tablespoon of Nutella on four slices of brioche, taking care to reach the edges. Top with remaining bread to create four chocolate-filled sandwiches.
- Create your custard bath:
- In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture looks uniform. The custard should coat the back of a spoon when ready.
- Prepare your skillet:
- Melt butter over medium heat until it starts to foam but not brown. A properly heated pan is the difference between soggy centers and perfect French toast.
- Dip with purpose:
- Quickly submerge each sandwich in the custard, allowing it to soak both sides without becoming waterlogged. Count to three on each side for ideal absorption.
- Achieve golden perfection:
- Cook sandwiches for 2-3 minutes per side until they develop a rich amber color and the custard sets completely. Listen for the gentle sizzle that tells you the heat is just right.
- Serve with flair:
- Dust warm sandwiches with powdered sugar, scatter fresh berries around the plate, and finish with a drizzle of maple syrup or extra Nutella. Serve immediately while the centers are still gloriously melted.
Save to Pinterest A few months ago, my neighbor brought over her sourdough starter and a loaf of homemade bread as a housewarming gift. When she joined us for brunch the following weekend, I surprised her by transforming her bread into this Nutella French toast. The look on her face when she bit into that first piece, the way she closed her eyes and smiled, was all the validation I needed that food truly is the language of friendship.
Choosing The Right Bread
After many weekend experiments, Ive discovered the bread thickness makes all the difference. Half-inch slices create the ideal ratio of bread to Nutella, allowing the custard to penetrate without making the sandwich too heavy or dense. When I tried thicker slices, the centers remained dry, while paper-thin cuts dissolved into a soggy mess.
The Art of the Flip
Flipping these Nutella-stuffed beauties requires a certain confidence I had to develop over time. My first attempts resulted in custard splatter across the stovetop and half-open sandwiches exposing their chocolate hearts. Now I use a wide spatula, a quick wrist motion, and a silent prayer, committing fully to the flip in one decisive movement.
Making It Your Own
This recipe invites personal touches that reflect your mood or what happens to be in your pantry. Once I added orange zest to the custard during the holidays, and the bright citrus notes cut through the richness perfectly.
- Try tucking thin slices of strawberry or banana alongside the Nutella for a fruity surprise in each bite.
- A sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the finished toast creates an addictive sweet-salty contrast that elevates the entire experience.
- For adult gatherings, consider adding a splash of hazelnut liqueur to the custard for subtle complexity.
Save to Pinterest This Nutella Brioche French Toast reminds us that sometimes the most memorable meals come from playful experimentation rather than rigid recipes. May your kitchen always be a place of delicious discoveries.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I use regular bread instead of brioche?
Yes, you can substitute challah or thick-sliced white bread. Brioche works best due to its rich, buttery texture, but any soft, slightly sweet bread will create delicious results.
- → How do I prevent the Nutella from melting out?
Don't oversoak the sandwiches in the custard, and keep the heat at medium to ensure the bread cooks through before the filling becomes too liquidy. Seal the edges gently when assembling.
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
These are best served immediately for optimal texture. However, you can assemble the Nutella sandwiches ahead and prepare the custard mixture, then dip and cook just before serving.
- → What other fillings work well?
Try peanut butter, cookie butter, sliced bananas with Nutella, cream cheese with strawberries, or any nut butter combined with jam for delicious variations.
- → How do I reheat leftovers?
Reheat in a toaster oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving as it will make the bread soggy.
- → Can I make this dairy-free?
Substitute the milk and cream with almond, oat, or coconut milk, use dairy-free butter, and choose a dairy-free chocolate spread instead of traditional Nutella.