Transport your taste buds to a galaxy far, far away with this Starry Night French Toast. Richly spiced and drenched in a dreamy, vanilla-infused custard, these slices of toast are artfully finished with a dazzling swirl of blueberry and vanilla sauce to create a starry night effect. Perfect for special mornings or brunch gatherings, this dish will elevate your breakfast experience into a work of art.
Key Information:
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Number of servings: 4
- Serving size: 2 slices per person
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 20g
Ingredients:
For the French Toast:
- 4 large eggs
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) whole milk
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 8 slices of thick brioche or challah bread
- 30 g (2 tbsp) butter for frying
For the Starry Night Swirl:
- 150 g (1 cup) fresh or frozen blueberries
- 50 g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) water
- 60 g (1/4 cup) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Garnishes:
- Fresh blueberries
- Edible glitter or silver sugar stars (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves for decoration
Method of Preparation:
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes, until the blueberries burst and the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of milk to achieve a swirlable consistency.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt 1 tbsp of butter. Dip each slice of bread into the egg mixture, coating both sides. Fry the soaked bread slices in the butter for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crisp. Work in batches, adding more butter as needed.
- Place the French toast slices on a serving plate. Drizzle the blueberry sauce in sweeping arcs across the toast to mimic a swirling night sky. Add small dots and swirls of the cream cheese mixture to represent stars. Use a toothpick to lightly swirl the sauces together, creating a stunning galaxy-like effect.
- Sprinkle with fresh blueberries and, for extra cosmic magic, add a dash of edible glitter or silver star sprinkles. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve warm.
Culinary Tips for Success:
- Use stale bread: Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard mixture better, resulting in a creamy yet firm texture.
- Don’t rush the frying: Fry the toast over medium heat to get an evenly browned, crispy exterior without burning the butter.
- Swirl with precision: Use a toothpick to swirl the sauces delicately to create a more defined starry night pattern.
- Customize the flavor: For extra richness, substitute half the milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a nutty twist.
- Keep it warm: If making in batches, keep cooked French toast warm in a 90°C (200°F) oven until ready to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can I use other types of bread? Yes, brioche and challah are recommended for their rich, fluffy texture, but you can also use French baguette slices or sourdough for a different flavor.
- How can I make this recipe dairy-free? You can substitute the milk and cream with coconut or almond milk, and use a dairy-free cream cheese for the vanilla swirl.
- Can I prepare the sauces in advance? Absolutely! You can make both the blueberry sauce and vanilla swirl up to two days in advance. Just store them in the refrigerator and warm slightly before serving.
- Can I freeze leftover French toast? Yes, you can freeze cooked French toast slices in an airtight container for up to two months. Reheat in a toaster or oven for best results.
- What can I use if I don’t have edible glitter? You can skip the glitter and still achieve a beautiful effect by dusting the toast with powdered sugar or using silver star sprinkles.