This is a sponsored post in collaboration with the California Strawberry Commission.
If you love strawberries, French toast and want to celebrate the moms in your life all in one tasty bite, then def hit print on this Strawberry Custard French Toast.
This is the recipe that’s going to elevate your French toast game. Sure this might be a departure from the classic with add-ins, like pastry cream, strawberry coulis, fresh sliced strawberries and a sprinkling of granola, but I’ve been known to have a heavy hand. This is no exception. Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits and in season now, so naturally I’m making it the star of my Mother’s Day Brunch.
For good reason to, one serving of eight strawberries has more vitamin C than an orange. And since strawberries are low in sugar and with just 50 calories per one cup serving, I knew I could pile them on in this French toast recipe.
The benefits are of course naturally tasty, but it also comes with beneficial antioxidants, so I’m doubling down on the strawberries and paring this main dish with Matt’s Layered Strawberry Smoothie Parfait (click here for the recipe).
I cannot wait for my tasty Mother’s Day brunch, especially since Matt and the boys will be turning this out while I sit in the sun and sip on Strawberry Mimosas.
For more Mother’s Day inspiration, head over to the California Strawberry Commission for more recipe ideas.
Strawberry Shortcake French Toast
Ingredients
- Filling
- 2 cup of whole milk
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup plus 2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3 large egg yolks
- Pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- French toast
- 8 crusty bread
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Toppings
- Strawberry coulis, warmed
- Whipped cream
- Granola
- Sliced strawberries
Instructions
To make the filing: Combine cornstarch and ½ cup milk and stir to dissolve. Beat whole eggs and yolks into cornstarch mixture; set aside. Prepare an ice bath; set aside.
Combine remaining milk with sugar and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove sauce pan from heat and transfer mixture to a new pan to reduce any residual heat. Set aside and cool milk mixture for 5 minutes.
Slowly add egg mixture into hot milk stirring constantly so the eggs do not curdle. Return mixture to stovetop and stir vigorously until mixture comes to a boil. Continue to stir until the whisk leaves a trail in the pastry cream, about 5-7 minutes. Once pastry cream reaches this stage, remove sauce pan from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract. Transfer the saucepan to the ice bath. Stir occasionally until pastry cream is cool about 30 minutes.
To make the French toast: In shallow bowl like a pie pan, whisk together the eggs, half and half and vanilla bean paste.
Heat a nonstick pan or a griddle. Add butter and let melt. Dip each slice of bread in the egg mixture, making sure that each side is soaked. Let any excess drip back into the bowl. Place the dipped slice onto the griddle. Repeat with remaining sandwiches. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until a golden crust forms.
To serve, place one piece of French toast down on a plate and layer with pastry cream, fresh sliced strawberries and strawberry coulis. Repeat once more and top with a third piece of french toast, whipped cream, granola and additional sliced strawberries.
To make strawberry coulis: In a large sauce pan, add 1 pound of strawberry, 1/4 cup sugar, zest of lemon and bring to boil. Lower heat and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on medium. Transfer mixture to a blender and process until smooth. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To make whipped cream: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Beat until soft peaks forms.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
I absolutely need my family to make me this for Mother’s Day! LOVE!
Asha Shivakumar says
That looks simply amazing!! How fun it would be to see this on Mother’s Day table!! Yum yumW
Lauren Grier says
Hooray for strawberry season!! Definitely trying this ASAP!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
You deserve it Naomi! What a GORGEOUS Mother’s Day brunch you’re going to have! Both the parfaits and the french toast look amazing! Hey, how bout you and Matt run your own photography workshop?! I’ll definitely sign up!! I’m totally drooling over both your photos and Matt’s today!!
Natasha says
This is just so pretty and looks absolutely delicious!!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
HOLY this French toast is GORG. My Mom is in a different country, so I guess I have to make it for myself 😉
Jennifer Farley says
This is so delightful! I can’t wait to try!
Leigh Ann says
I mean I would love this for Mother’s Day, but if I made this for my hubby for Father’s Day…that would be his ultimate breakfast!
Julia says
Strawberries make everything better and I get it takes this french toast to a totally different level. Love this for Mother’s Day!
Asha Shivakumar says
We absolutely love french toast and this is seriously a fancy one. Hope you had a great mother’s day lovely.
xo