🍫🍞 Chocolate French Toast: The Ultimate Dessert for Breakfast!

Chocolate French Toast is the ultimate dessert for breakfast! With just the right amount of sweetness, richness, and those irresistible slightly crisp caramelized edges, it’s a perfect treat for any chocoholic, any day of the week. This recipe transforms a classic into something truly special.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Chocoholic’s Dream – Just enough chocolate to satisfy your cravings without being overly sweet, making it perfect for a decadent weekend breakfast.
• Perfect Texture – Using extra thick slices of brioche bread results in French toast that’s wonderfully crisp on the outside and light, almost custardy, on the inside. YUM!
• Surprisingly Easy – Like any French toast recipe, it’s straightforward, with a few clever tricks to ensure perfection.
• Visually Appealing – Who could resist the beautiful contrast of dark chocolate toast dusted with powdered sugar and vibrant red strawberries? It’s a feast for the eyes!
• Versatile & Customizable – Easily adaptable to your preferred bread type and thickness, making it a flexible recipe for any kitchen.

🛠 Tools You’ll Need

• Large bowl (for egg mixture) 🥣
• Large baking dish (for soaking bread)
• Very large nonstick skillet or griddle 🍳
• Spatula or tongs
• Baking pan (for keeping warm)
• Whisk
• Measuring cups & spoons 📏

🥄 Key Ingredients

• Granulated sugar – For sweetness in the egg mixture.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – The star for that rich chocolate flavor. 🍫
• Fine sea salt – Balances the sweetness.
• Milk – Forms the base of the custard.
• Large eggs – Binds the custard and creates a rich texture. 🥚
• Pure vanilla extract – Enhances all the flavors. 🌿
• Challah or brioche bread – Best when cut into thick slices for optimal texture. 🍞
• Unsalted butter – For cooking, adds richness. 🧈
• Vegetable oil – The secret ingredient for crisp, caramelized edges. 🌻
• Confectioners’ sugar (optional) – For dusting and a beautiful finish. ✨
• Fresh strawberries, sliced (optional) – For garnish and a burst of freshness. 🍓
• Maple syrup (optional) – For serving, if desired. 🍁

🍪 How to Make Chocolate French Toast

1. Prepare Custard 🥣
   In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, sea salt, and about half of the milk until a lump-free paste forms. Add the remaining milk, eggs, and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
2. Soak Bread 🍞
   Transfer the custard mixture to a large baking dish. Add the thick slices of challah or brioche bread, turning to coat completely. Let the bread soak for 5 minutes to absorb the rich chocolate custard.
3. Cook French Toast 🔥
   Heat 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a very large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add as many soaked bread pieces as will fit without crowding the pan. Cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until browned and lightly crisp. Be careful, as the chocolate and sugar can cause it to burn quickly!
4. Keep Warm & Repeat ⏱️
   Transfer the cooked French toast to a baking pan and keep warm in a 200°F (93°C) oven while you repeat the cooking process with the remaining bread slices.
5. Serve 🍓🍁
   Dust with confectioners’ sugar, if desired, and serve immediately with fresh strawberry slices and a drizzle of maple syrup.

💡 Tips for Success

• The Butter & Oil Trick – The secret to perfectly crisp and caramelized French toast is using both butter AND vegetable oil for cooking.
• Watch Carefully – Due to the sugar and chocolate in the custard, this French toast can go from perfect to burnt very quickly.
• Thick Slices are Best – For the best texture – crisp outside and custardy inside – use really thick slices of rich, eggy bread like challah or brioche.
• Keep Warm – If making a large batch, keep the cooked French toast warm in a 200°F oven until ready to serve.

🆘 French Toast Troubleshooting Guide

Problem: My French toast is burnt on the outside, raw on the inside.

• Likely Cause: Heat is too high, or not enough fat in the pan.
• Solution: Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low. Ensure you have enough butter and oil in the pan. The goal is a gentle sizzle, not a rapid fry. Cook longer at a lower temperature.

Problem: My French toast is soggy.

• Likely Cause: Bread soaked too long, or not enough heat in the pan.
• Solution: Ensure you only soak the bread for 5 minutes. Preheat the pan properly so the bread crisps instead of absorbing fat.

Problem: The chocolate flavor isn’t strong enough.

• Likely Cause: Not enough cocoa powder, or quality of cocoa powder.
• Solution: Use unsweetened cocoa powder, try dark cocoa powder, or add a pinch of espresso powder to boost chocolate flavor.

👩‍🍳 Pro Chef Tips

• Overnight Soak – For an even more custardy interior, prepare the custard and soak the bread overnight in the refrigerator.
• Flavor Boost – Add a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of orange zest in the custard to complement the chocolate.
• Serving Suggestions – Try toppings like whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

☕ Perfect Pairings

• Coffee – A strong cup of coffee or a creamy latte balances sweetness.
• Milk – A cold glass of milk is classic and comforting.
• Hot Chocolate – For ultimate chocoholics, pair with rich hot chocolate.
• Fresh Fruit Juice – Orange juice or berry smoothie adds refreshing contrast.

📦 How to Store

• Best Fresh – French toast is best enjoyed immediately after cooking.
• Reheating – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. Reheat in toaster, oven, or skillet to regain crispness.

📌 More Recipes You’ll Love

• Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars: The Ultimate Triple Threat Dessert 🎉🍪🍰
• Quick & Moist 4 Ingredient Banana Bread: So Tender and Delicious
• Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Frosting
• Fluffy Banana Pancakes: The Irresistible Breakfast Treat You Can’t Miss

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