Simple Cinnamon Vanilla Pain Perdu or French Toast.
If you’re English you probably know it as ‘gypsy toast’ or ‘eggy bread’ and my American friends call it ‘French toast’ and have it for breakfast. However, this dish originated in France and is traditionally served as a dessert. It is still a popular dessert locally in Deux Sevres, where I live and one of my husband’s favourites. Pain perdu is translated as ‘lost bread’ and it was normally made to use up stale bread, in much the same way as bread and butter pudding. There’s always something comforting about bread in a custard which always takes me back to food from childhood.
Here in France it is easy to buy enriched breads, such as Brioche in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I like to make pain perdu with thick slices but you could also used sliced croissants too or Panetone. I have also seen it made with plain crusty bread.
This dessert is really easy to prepare so, if you are having a dinner party you could easily make Simple Cinnamon Vanilla Pain Perdu or French Toast after the main course in less than 15 minutes. Just whisk eggs together with milk, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Heat butter in a frying pan then dip the bread in the egg mixture, making sure that both sides are moistened. Fry in the pan for 2-3 minutes until golden then carefully flip over for another few minutes. I find it’s easier to cook 2 at a time.
I served this Simple Cinnamon Vanilla Pain Perdu or French Toast with vanilla ice-cream and fruit with some cinnamon sprinkled over but the variations are endless. Try salted caramel sauce, maple syrup or chocolate sauce.
What do you call pain perdu where you are from and how do you serve it? I would love to know.
If you like French desserts how about trying Lavender Creme Brulee?
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Simple Cinnamon Vanilla Pain Perdu
Ingredients
- 4 Slices of Brioche
- 2 Eggs Beaten
- 2 Tbsp Milk
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp Butter
Instructions
- Combine the eggs, milk, sugar,vanilla and cinnamon in a shallow container.
- Heat the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat.
- Dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture on both sides.
- Fry in batches of 2 for a few minutes each side until golden.
- Serve with fruit and ice cream.
Thanks for the insight Paul.
French toast originates from the Roman Empire, not from France;
French toast, that bit of gastronomical yumminess that is fried egg/bread combo, is an old dish. In fact, it predates the founding of France.
According to the Apicius, a collection of recipes from the early 5th century AD, the dish we now know as the French toast existed as early as the age of the Roman Empire. In their style of French toast, called Pan Dulcis, Romans would soak bread in milk (and sometimes also egg) mixture, then fry it in oil or butter.
In the 15th century English court of Henry V, a version of the French toast called "pain perdu" or "lost bread" was the culinary rage. Then, it was called "lost" bread because the recipe called for soaking hard or stale bread in a mixture of milk and egg, then frying it. Pain perdu is what the French call French toast today.
Thanks Sue.
That sounds really naughty Jill.I need to try that version!
Thanks Emma.
Thanks Dannii. It’s a favourite of my husband!
Thanks Amy!
Yum this looks like the perfect dessert 🙂
French toast is a favourite on a Sunday in our house. I love the sound of this cinnamon loaded version
I love french toast. This sounds delicious! It would make the perfect valentine's breakfast!
I make a stuffed French Toast - filled with an apricot sweetened cream cheese and topped with raspberry syrup. But I like a classic French Toast with maple syrup too.
This is absolutely dreamy, the most romantic dessert ever!
Thanks Megala. 'Lost bread' doesn't do it justice, although I've seen menus that translate when they don't need to!
Lovely dessert! I like the name of this dessert. 🙂
Thanks Cheryl. I hope you give it a go. At least the ingredients are cheap to try it!
I know what French toast is (really don't like it) but never with all these ingredients on it. Looks good. Just might have to use your recipe and see if I change my mind about French toast : )
Thanks so much. I can't believe it's on a menu but I agree it's very delicious!
Another "eggy bread" although we never had it at home. I don't cook desserts, but this looks lovely. I've had it once here in France, and it was delicious!
Thanks Melve. It's embarrassingly easy and there's always empty plates so I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks Brian. It was eggy bread for me too and I'm from the south! Love a no effort pud.
Interesting I have never heard the phrase gypsy toast at all, it was called Eggy bread in the Midlands and the places I live between the Midlands and London. I love the stiff a wonderful indulgent munch, your recipe sounds great!
Another recipe for a surprise dessert this Sunday. We love sweets and this one look so yummy and delicious and easy to prepare. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Karen. They certainly love their puds here and it's weird to see this dish on the menu at lunchtime! We would have it for breakfast in the UK but never sweet.
As many times as I've visited France, I didn't know that our "French toast" that we have for breakfast is served as dessert there. I'll definitely have to try it your French way. 😀