Vegetarian Recipe: Cornflake-Crusted Brioche French Toast

Every week on the Good Food Blog we celebrate Meatless Monday by sharing a vegetarian recipe from our archives.

Saveur magazine’s editor-in-chief James Oseland celebrates delicious breakfast dishes from around the world. He first shared this recipe for Cornflake-Crusted Brioche French Toast on October 18, 2008.

Keep reading for the full recipe…

Cornflake-Crusted Brioche French Toast

The recipe for this crunchy french toast is based on the one used at the Lafayette restaurant in the Hay-Adams hotel in Washington, D.C.

Serves 4

• 1 loaf brioche bread (about 1 lb)

• 1/3 cup half and half

• 2 tsps sugar

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp fine salt

• 1/4 tsp orange zest

• 4 eggs, lightly beaten

• 2 cups cornflakes, coarsely crushed

• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter

• Confectioners’ sugar

• Maple syrup

1. Slice brioche loaf into eight 1-inch thick slices with a serrated knife. Using a 3″ round cookie cutter, cut each slice into a circle and set aside. (Reserve bread scraps for bread crumbs.)

2. In a shallow dish, whisk together half and half, sugar, cinnamon, salt, orange zest, and eggs. Put cornflakes into another shallow dish. Working with 1 circle of brioche at a time, dip in the egg mixture, allowing brioche to soak for 10 seconds on each side, then coat in the cornflakes. Transfer to a sheet tray lined with waxed paper.

3. Heat 3 tablespoons of the butter in a 10″ nonstick skillet over medium heat until just foaming. Transfer four slices of brioche to the pan and cook, turning once, until both sides are golden brown, about 4 minutes. Divide the French toast between two serving plates. Wipe out skillet, add remaining butter, and repeat process. Dust the French toast with confectioners’ sugar and drizzle with maple syrup. Serve with berries and sliced fruit, if you like.