Tartine Baked French Toast

Elevate your breakfast experience with Tartine Baked French Toast, a sumptuous rendition of the classic morning indulgence. Envision thick slices of our artisanal bread transformed into a custardy delight with a crisp, caramelized top reminiscent of crème brûlée. This recipe strikes a harmonious balance between the essence of French toast and the comforting embrace of bread pudding. The bread soaks in the luscious custard base, absorbing its flavors, resulting in a divine breakfast treat that’s perfect for a leisurely morning. The rich flavors meld with every bite, inviting you to savor each forkful. Whether enjoyed with sautéed apples, pears, or in its autumnal glory with ripe persimmons, this baked French toast brings warmth, comfort, and a touch of elegance to your breakfast table.

INGREDIENTS:

• CUSTARD BASE
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
• 2 slices day-old Basic Country Bread, each about 1 1/2 inches thick
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

MAPLE-GLAZED BACON:

• 4 thick-cut strips bacon
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 very ripe Hachiya persimmon

PREPARATIONS:

1. In a bowl, stir together eggs, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, salt, and milk to create the custard base.
2. Place bread slices in the custard base, allowing them to soak for about 1 hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
4. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and melt butter to coat the bottom of the pan.
5. Lift each bread slice from the custard base and cook in the pan for approximately 3 minutes, occasionally pressing with a spatula to ensure even cooking.
6. Spoon or ladle additional custard base into the center of each bread slice.
7. If the liquid leaks from the bread onto the skillet, continue cooking for 1 minute while pressing the slices slightly to seal.
8. Carefully transfer the skillet with bread slices to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 12 to 20 minutes until the custard is cooked through and the slices appear inflated.
9. For the bacon, heat a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until edges are crispy (about 10 minutes).
10. Drain excess fat, add maple syrup to coat the bacon, and bake in the oven for about 5 minutes to glaze.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Custard Soaking: Allowing the bread slices to soak in the custard base for at least an hour ensures maximum flavor absorption.
• Sealing Bread: Pressing the slices while cooking seals the bottom and prepares the bread for further custard base absorption.

TIPS:

• Caramelized Crust: Achieve a delightful caramelized and crisp texture by cooking the French toast in a skillet and then baking it.

Tartine Baked French Toast is a breakfast masterpiece that captures the essence of indulgence and comfort. The melding of flavors, from the custardy interior to the caramelized, crisp top, offers a symphony of textures and tastes that awaken the senses with each delightful bite. This recipe pays homage to traditional French toast while adding its own artisanal touch, making it a perfect morning delight.

The custard-soaked bread slices, baked to perfection, are a testament to the power of patient preparation. As you enjoy this delightful dish, the rich flavors of the custard and the warmth of the bread weave together, enveloping you in a breakfast experience that’s both luxurious and inviting. Whether you choose to pair it with sautéed apples, pears, or the indulgent sweetness of ripe persimmons, Tartine Baked French Toast promises a memorable and comforting start to your day.

This recipe showcases the beauty of elevating breakfast to an art form. Its simplicity belies the depth of flavors and the comforting embrace it provides. As you relish each bite, you’re reminded that sometimes the most cherished moments come from the simplest pleasures. In Tartine Baked French Toast, breakfast becomes a celebration of warmth, flavor, and the joys of savoring life’s little luxuries.