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Crunch French Toast

Crunch French Toast

byJoanna Gaines
Total 2 hours and 10 minutes (includes cooling time)
Active 70 mins
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
Caramel Crunch
  • 4 cups corn flakes
  • 3/4 cups sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
French Toast
  • 8 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 12 slices brioche
  • Unsalted butter, for the griddle
  • Powdered sugar, for serving
  • Maple syrup, for serving
  • Sliced strawberries, optional
  • Whipped cream, optional
Directions
  1. To make the caramel crunch: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. Evenly spread the corn flakes on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Place in the oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until the edges have lightly browned. Take out of the oven and allow the corn flakes to cool while the caramel is being cooked.
  3. To make the caramel, place a heavy medium saucepan on the stove and add the sugar, cream of tartar, and water. Gently stir the sugar mixture until the sugar is wet. Turn the heat to medium high and slowly stir until the sugar dissolves using a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula. You're looking for the mixture to become an amber color.
  4. Immediately take the mixture off the heat and stir in the butter. Once the butter melts, slowly stir in the heavy cream and salt.
  5. Grease a sheet pan and set aside.
  6. Add the corn flakes to a large mixing bowl. Gently stir in the caramel sauce and cinnamon. Toss until the corn flakes are coated, then spread into a single layer on the greased sheet pan. Allow to cool for about an hour.
  7. Set a small amount (about 2 cups) of the caramel crunch to the side for garnish. Take the remaining mixture and seal it in a plastic bag, leaving a small gap for air so the bag doesn’t break. Crush the mixture in the bag until it’s at a consistency you prefer.
  8. Pour the crushed caramel crunch into a shallow medium bowl and set aside.
  9. To make the French toast: In another medium shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
  10. Dip each side of a slice of brioche into the egg mixture, allow any excess to drip off, then dip each side of that same slice into the crushed caramel crunch, making sure to fully coat each side. Set on a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 11 slices of brioche.
  11. Place a large cast-iron griddle over medium heat and melt about 1 tablespoon butter. Once the butter is melted, place 2 brioche slices on the griddle and allow each side to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Once cooked, place the French toast on a sheet pan with a cooling rack on top of it. This will keep the toast from getting soggy while you cook the rest of your slices. Repeat until all the brioche is cooked.
  12. Diagonally cut each slice of French toast to make 2 halves out of 1 slice of bread.
  13. Place 5 halves of French toast on a plate and sprinkle with the caramel crunch that was set aside and powdered sugar. Top with maple syrup, sliced strawberries (if using), and a dollop of whipped cream (if using). Serve immediately.