Apple French Toast
Apple French toast makes a sweet autumn breakfast for those special holiday mornings.
Crisp and fluffy French toast is only made better with the addition of sweet, caramelized apple. It makes the perfect autumn breakfast on any day, but I like to reserve this for special occasions like Christmas morning, Thanksgiving breakfast, or Easter brunch.
This version of French toast is dairy-free, and suitable for ovo-lacto vegetarians, so almost everyone can enjoy it. However, for those with restricted diets, the brioche you use will need to be dairy-free as well, so check those labels. Same for those following a gluten-free diet, you will need to select the lightest and airiest gluten-free brioche you can find. While checking those labels, also try to find the brioche with the lowest calorie count per slice.
Ingredients
(Makes 2 servings)
apple topping:
1 large Honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored, and sliced
2 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener (or granulated sugar)
1 tablespoon plant-based butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon salt
French toast:
1/2 cup full fat coconut milk (or heavy cream)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon monk fruit sweetener (or granulated sugar)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
2 slices brioche, day old, cut thick
2 tablespoons plant-based butter
Directions
In a sauté pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the apples, cinnamon, sweetener, lemon zest, and salt, then mix to combine. Cook, stirring regularly, until the apples begin to soften and turn golden brown. Turn heat to low to keep warm but monitor carefully and stir as needed. If the apples begin to get too dark, remove from heat.
Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl begin making the custard for the French toast by combining the coconut milk, egg, vanilla, sweetener, and spices. Whisk well to break up the egg and dissolve the sweetener.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
Add the bread slices to the custard and allow to soak. Flip the bread over to ensure both sides are coated. Do not leave in the bowl for too long, as the bread should not become so saturated that it falls apart. Transfer the bread to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the bread turns golden brown.
Remove both French toast and apples from the heat and assemble. On each plate add one slice of French toast. Cut toast in half. Add apple to one half of the toast, top with the other half of toast, then add more apple to the top. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
total calories = 286 | total fat = 14.02g | saturated fat = 6.43g | cholesterol = 117.5mg | sodium = 409mg | net carbohydrates = 42.77g | dietary fibre = 3.89g | sugars = 16.13g | protein = 5.48g
