Whether you refer to it as egg fried bread, German toast, eggy bread, gypsy bread, or pain perdu (France’s version made with stale bread) one thing is certain: There are as many ways to prepare simple French toast as there are names for it. Most recipes call for syrup - but not this one!

Growing up my Mom always made French toast in a frying pan - not baked- and without syrup. Each bite made me feel as if I had been transported to a glorious Neverland. These cooler months combined with staying at home more has me craving for these kinds of nostalgic comfort foods. Follow along as I show you how to do a classic French toast breakfast.

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Simple Ingredients for French Toast - No Syrup

The secret to my Mom’s success in the kitchen is simplicity and a good hand. Over the years, I’ve tweaked this recipe a bit. But it remains uncluttered. Without further adieu, here are the ingredients you’ll need to make quick and easy French bread toast:

• 2 tbsp milk

• 2-3 eggs

• 1/4 tsp vanilla flavoring

• 1/4 tsp almond flavoring

• 4 wheat bread slices (Yes we ONLY use wheat bread, no challah, no Texas toast and absolutely no white bread)

• Cinnamon and sugar mixed (1 part cinnamon to 2 parts sugar)

• Fresh fruit for garnish

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Calories: If you’re concerned about the amount of calories in French toast, you’re in the wrong place (LOL)

Now if you take a look at that list of ingredients, it’s not too difficult to Imagine how perplexed (and slightly grossed out) my siblings and I were to discover humans drizzling maple syrup all over their sometimes dry or soggy French toast. We also had to be the only kids who didn’t think it was cool to order baked French toast at a fast food restaurant.

Create the Mixture for French Toast

Simply whisk together the first 4 wet ingredients above in a small bowl. Coat the bread slice with the mixture and place you soon-to-be delightful French bread in a buttered frying pan.

Notice that I don’t soak the bread, I coat it. Nor do I bake French toast in the oven. Those methods are successful for lots of people. But remember this an easy French toast recipe. It’s also how I make sure my French toast doesn’t get soggy (ewww). I’m telling’ you, it can’t get any more fail proof than this.

The Secret “Sauce”

Here is the topping that, for me, makes this the best French toast in the world - a mixture of ground cinnamon and sugar. Aside from my Mom, there’s only one other place that I’ve ever seen do this. It’s a small restaurant located in Quintana Roo, Mexico (Cancun) called Captain’s Cove. When I saw them coat the French toast with the “our” infamous cinnamon and sugar mixture I nearly fell off my chair!

I like to follow a ratio of 1:2. Because of it’s bitter taste, less cinnamon is usually best here. Immediately after removing your pipping hot French egg toast from the skillet, sprinkle as much of it as you like on each piece.

Top this bad boy off with fresh fruit and a dab of crème fraîche or whipped cream. Then grab yourself a fork and get ready to fight! Bon appétite!

I’d love to get your thoughts on this simple recipe for French toast. Please let me know in the comments below.

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