Name: Easy Sourdough French Toast Recipe for a Perfect Breakfast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 slices of sourdough bread (cut into ½ inch thick slices (stale bread is best but you can use fresh bread too)); ½ cup or 120 ml whole milk; ½ cup or 120 ml heavy cream; 3 large eggs; 4 tbsp sugar ((add as much as you like, you can use brown sugar if you like too!)); ¼ tsp salt; 1½ tsp vanilla extract; 4 tbsp or 56 gms unsalted butter (*please do not use salted butter)

Sunday Mornings Transformed

The smell of cinnamon fills my kitchen each Sunday. Golden brown toast sizzles in the pan. It reminds me of slow, happy mornings with my family. Ever wondered how to turn simple bread into something unforgettable? This recipe is my favorite way to start the day.

My First Golden Brown Lesson

My first try ended with slightly burnt toast. I learned the heat must be just right. This small mistake taught me a big lesson. Good food needs patience and care, just like a happy home. Cooking connects us to the people we love.

Why It Tastes So Good

Sourdough’s tang pairs perfectly with sweet, creamy custard. The outside gets crispy while the inside stays soft. Which flavor combo surprises you most: the sweet and tangy or the crispy and soft? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

A Slice of History

French toast dates back to ancient Rome. Cooks used stale bread to avoid wasting food. The dish has many names around the world. *Did you know it was called “pain perdu” or “lost bread” in France?* This recipe gives old bread a delicious new life.

What is your favorite topping for a perfect breakfast? Tell me your go-to choice. I read every single comment and love your ideas.

Ingredient	Amount	Note
Sourdough bread	8 slices	cut into ½ inch thick slices (stale bread is best)
Whole milk	½ cup / 120 ml
Heavy cream	½ cup / 120 ml
Large eggs	3
Sugar	4 tbsp	can use brown sugar
Salt	¼ tsp
Vanilla extract	1½ tsp
Unsalted butter	4 tbsp / 56 gms	do not use salted butter

My Easy Sourdough French Toast Method

Step 1
Grab a shallow dish for mixing. Whisk together the milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Mix everything until it is perfectly smooth. (A hard-learned tip: stale bread soaks up the custard best).

Step 2
Soak your bread slices one by one. Let each side sit for about ninety seconds. Press down gently to help it soak. You want the bread spongy but not falling apart.

Step 3
Melt a tablespoon of butter in your pan. Cook the soaked bread over medium heat. Let it cook for three to four minutes per side. Wait for a beautiful golden-brown crust.

What is the best heat level for cooking French toast? Share below!

Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Breakfast, Brunch

Three Tasty Twists on a Classic

Try these fun ideas to mix things up. They add a new flavor to your morning routine. Everyone will love these creative spins.

Serving Your Perfect French Toast

This dish is wonderful on its own. It also pairs well with many sides. I love serving it with fresh fruit or crispy bacon. A drizzle of maple syrup is always a good idea.

For drinks, try cold milk or orange juice. A mimosa is a fun brunch cocktail. These pairings make the meal complete.

Which would you choose tonight: fruit or bacon?

Keep It Fresh or Freeze It

Leftover French toast? Let it cool completely first. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze slices for a month. Just put parchment paper between them. Reheat in a toaster for that perfect crispness. *My grandkids love finding these in the freezer for a quick treat.* Batch cooking is a lifesaver on busy mornings. Why does this matter? A good breakfast sets a positive tone for your entire day. Do you prefer sweet or savory breakfasts most?

Simple Fixes for Common Hiccups

Soggy French toast means your pan was not hot enough. Always preheat your skillet properly. If the egg mix isn’t soaking in, your bread might be too fresh. Stale bread works best. Burning the outside? Your heat is too high. Keep it at medium-low. These small adjustments make a huge difference. Why does this matter? Mastering these steps builds kitchen confidence for any recipe. What’s your biggest breakfast cooking challenge?

Your Questions, Answered

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use your favorite gluten-free bread. Just make sure the slices are sturdy.
Can I prepare the mix ahead?
Absolutely. Mix the wet ingredients the night before. Keep it covered in the fridge.
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
You can use all whole milk. The toast will be a little less rich.
Can I double this recipe?
Of course. Simply double all the ingredients. Use a bigger bowl for soaking.
Is salted butter okay?
I do not recommend it. The extra salt changes the sweet flavor we want.

Your Turn at the Stove

I hope this recipe brings joy to your table. It is a weekend favorite in my house. I love seeing your creations. It truly makes my day.
Share your photos and tag Amelia Hartwell on Pinterest.
Happy cooking! —Amelia Hartwell.

Easy Sourdough French Toast Recipe for a Perfect Breakfast

Author: Amelia Hartwell Cooking Method:Stovetop Cuisine:American Courses:Breakfast

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 20 minutesRest time: Total time: 30 minutesServings:4 servingsCalories:350 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

Experience the perfect balance of crispy, golden-brown crust and a soft, custardy interior with this easy sourdough French toast, an ideal breakfast treat.

Ingredients

8 slices of sourdough bread (cut into ½ inch thick slices (stale bread is best but you can use fresh bread too))
½ cup or 120 ml whole milk
½ cup or 120 ml heavy cream
3 large eggs
4 tbsp sugar ((add as much as you like, you can use brown sugar if you like too!))
¼ tsp salt
1½ tsp vanilla extract
4 tbsp or 56 gms unsalted butter (*please do not use salted butter)

Instructions

MAKE THE EGG & MILK MIXTURETake a shallow dish. I usually use a shallow dish and skillet that can fit about two slices of bread, it makes things easier! But you can always use a large bowl too if you like.Now to the shallow dish or large mixing bowl, add 4 tbsp sugar, ¼ tsp salt, ½ cup or 120 ml whole milk, ½ cup or 120 ml heavy cream, 1½ tsp vanilla extract and 3 large eggs.Whisk the egg mixture really well.
SOAK YOUR SLICES OF BREADKeep 8 slices of sourdough bread ready (cut into ½ inch thickness).Add as many slices of bread as can fit into your shallow dish or large bowl with the egg mixture. Add them in a single layer and not one on top of the other. My shallow dish can usually fit two slices of bread.Let those slices of stale bread soak for about a minute and a half in the milk mixture. If you have fresh softer bread it may soak up quickly while really crusty sourdough bread may take 2-3 minutes to soak up.After a minute and a half, turn each slice of bread and let them soak for another minute and a half. Press them in to soak them well. Once again, how long your bread takes to soak depends on how fresh your bread is, the type of bread you’re using and how thick your slices are. We don’t want our bread to become so soggy it’ll start to break apart. We want it to absorb all that egg mixture but still hold its own. A great way to know is that your bread should become spongy but still have structure to it.
TIME TO COOK OUR FRENCH TOASTKeep 4 tbsp or 56 gms unsalted butter ready.While your bread slices are soaking on the second side, heat a large skillet or cast iron skillet over medium heat to medium low heat.I prefer something between medium heat to medium low heat because if the heat is too high, your French toast will burn and if it’s too low, it won’t form that crispy crust and may turn out soggy!Add in one tablespoon of butter and let it melt.Once your bread is done soaking on both sides and the butter has melted in the hot skillet, gently add each slice of bread to the large skillet in a single layer. I usually cook two slices at once. Add only as many slices as can fit in the pan.Let the soaked bread cook on one side for about 3 and a half minutes. Please don’t touch it. This is how long it takes my bread to turn a golden brown on one side but your cooking times may vary. Just gently lift a slice of bread to see if it’s golden brown after the 3 minute mark.Then flip the slices of bread and cook on the other side for another 3 and a half minutes. Again, the cooking time may vary here so check on your bread after the 3 minute mark and cook until it’s golden brown.I also usually start soaking the next two slices of bread at this point. Make sure to once again turn them after the minute and a half mark.Once 3 and a half minutes or so are up and your bread turns a gorgeous golden brown on the other side too, remove it.And cook your next batch of bread. Add another tablespoon of butter to the pan if there’s not much left and cook the same way. If you feel the heat is too high at any point, reduce it until the pan cools down a little.Optional: You can keep your cooked French toast slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then pop the baking sheet into a preheated oven (about 200 ℉) to stay warm while you cook the rest of the slices!And now take a bite of that French toast. Isn’t it absolutely delicious? You can serve it however you like, with some fresh berries or fresh fruit or with a drizzle of maple syrup… (psst, my favorite way is just having it on its own ❤. Yum!).Now that you’ve reached the end of the instructions and have probably tried this dish, can you please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it? I take EVERY comment seriously and it’ll make my entire day!