Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread that is lightly battered and fried to make the best French Toast I’ve ever had. Perfect for Christmas! Or perfect for a Thursday afternoon all by yourself. We don’t judge round here.
I once waited 2 hours to eat this Cranberry Orange Walnut French Toast. No food seems worth it after 2 hours, but I swear, this meal was. There is this famous restaurant in San Francisco that supposedly has amazing food, but is notorious for the long lines. Eric and I had a weekend to ourselves last summer with no kids, so we decided to exercise our thumb-war skillz wait it out.
I don’t regret the wait at all, especially since a very talented street performer entertained our queue half the time. He was taking song requests (any song!) and had a deep, rich voice. The smoking trendy French kids in line behind us requested “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the guy said he didn’t do foreign songs. It took me a minute to realize he was totally serious. (And then I got to exchange knowing smiles with French People, which made me feel So Cool.)
The day I recreated this French Toast, I ran to the store in the morning to grab the fresh berries. I had looked over the ingredient list for my recipe and determined that that was all I needed. I didn’t check the fridge to see if there was milk because THERE’S ALWAYS MILK. I mean, I have kids, and chocolate chip cookie needs, come on. Later I went to make it and realized I didn’t have one speck of milk in the house. None. And the baby had just fallen asleep.
Fortunately my neighbor let me borrow some. “I know what it’s like when those kids don’t get their milk!” she said, hefting her own baby on her hip. I smiled and did NOT tell her that I would be making French Toast with that milk, alone in my house on a Thursday afternoon while my kids napped.
Vanilla is essential for delicious French Toast, so I used the Pure Vanilla Extract that Rodelle recently sent me. I’m a new brand ambassador for Rodelle, which means that YOU guys will get the chance to win free Rodelle product giveaways occasionally. Look forward to one in early December!
I’m pretty stoked to be partnering with Rodelle. I’m a strong believer in quality vanilla, and theirs is some of the best. ^^ Truman feels the same.
I think this French Toast would be perfect for Christmas morning. So bright and festive! The Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread is definitely stand alone; it’s got tons of flavor. But there just aren’t too many things that aren’t better fried and drizzled with real maple syrup. (Can I get an amen.)
Do you guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?
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Disclosure: Rodelle did not pay me to write this post, but I did receive free product from them. All opinions are my own! Duh.
Cranberry Orange Walnut French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread, click for recipe
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 cup milk
- dash salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons Rodelle Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 large eggs
- butter or shortening, for frying
- real maple syrup
- strawberries, raspberries, blueberries (for garnish)
- powdered sugar, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to the warm setting, about 170 degrees F. Place a baking sheet inside, with a cooling rack set on top. (You will use this to keep your toast warm.)
- Preheat a grill pan or large frying pan to medium heat (350 degrees F)
- Slice the loaf of bread into 1/4 or 1/2 inch slices.
- In a shallow dish (such as a pie plate) add the flour. Slowly pour in the milk while you whisk it together. Add the salt, cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, and eggs. (Beat the eggs in a separate bowl, if that's easier for you.) Beat together.
- Add a slice of bread to the batter, or as many as will fit on your plate at a time. Let it soak in for 20 seconds or so, then flip.
- Add a little butter or shortening to the pan and swirl to coat.
- When the butter is hot, add the soaked bread. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until browned on the bottom, then flip over. Cook for another 2-4 minutes or until golden. If you sliced your toast thick, you may need to fry the edges as well.
- Place the finished toast on the cooling rack in the warm oven until ready to serve.
- Serve with maple syrup, fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar!
Nutrition
Let the bread get good and soaked. Keep whisking it every now and then so you don’t miss all the cinnamon.
Flip the bread on it’s side if your slices are thick.
Here’s the Cranberry Orange Walnut Bread in all it’s glory:
French Toast for daaaaaays!
Savory Parmesan French Toast with Hollandaise Sauce:
Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole:
Liege Waffles with Pearl Sugar:
More French Toast from friends:
Chocolate Banana French Toast Sandwiches from Amy’s Healthy Baking
Homemade French Toast Sticks from Six Sister’s Stuff
Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole from Deliciously Yum
Who would have thought that a French toast can look so luscious and delicious. It totally looks like a dessert I would order in a restaurant or be happy to devour at home. Thank you for the idea!
I’m glad you like the looks of it Oana! Let me know if you try it out :)
French toast is always worth the wait. It looks like Truman is very excited about the extract. This recipe just stole my heart. It’s happening!
1. I’ll sing that foreign song for you next time I see you. I’ll probably make up half the words though
2. LOVE that drizzle maple syrup picture!
3. Amen!
This french toast is PICTURE PERFECT, Karen! I can’t believe I haven’t been to Mama’s before even though I grew up in SF. I’ll need to make a trek out there one day!
Thanks Lisa! I’ve heard that the only way to go is to arrive at least a half hour before they open in the morning. It’s a really fun place that has a great home-style feel, even though there are people everywhere.
God this french toast looks delicious. Definitely craving some to devour right now – love the combination of cranberry, orange and walnut especially!
Thanks Thalia! There is just something magical about cranberry orange I think :)
I’ve never heard of that restaurant! I’ll have to add that on my list of things to do in SF! But why wait in line when I can make it myself? :)
I know, it might be hard for me to ever justify the wait again…but honestly their whole menu is crazy delicious.
Using your cranberry orange walnut bread is a fabulous idea!!! I love french toast! and congrats on the a new brand ambassadorship for Rodelle!! I went to the page and you all look like models! :P great headshots of everyone!
Alice, I had NEVER thought to use quick bread for French toast before I ate this the first time. Mind blowing! Oh and thanks about Rodelle, yeah I’m pretty excited to model for them! I mean bake. :) :) :)
Karen, these look fabulous and are so mouthwatering! I have my favorite baking book opened last night to none other than cranberry orange pecan bread! I love your idea of turning it into French Toast! Delicious photography!!
These must be the most beautiful pics I’ve seen in a while… I mean, I can hardly take my eyes off ;). I am not even going to tell you what I love about this French toast creation – it might just set me over the edge. I am having some serious drool issues over here, ha. Also, thank you so much for sharing one of my faves. You rock, lady. Giving you a virtual high five ;)
Very festive! A couple of months ago we had a HUGE bottle of Vermont maple syrup that I am ashamed (actually, I’m not that ashamed ;) to say we finished too soon… :)
What a gorgeous french toast! I would be so over this on a random Thursday. Too much to share on a holiday :)
WHAT. It’s like FATE! I just made this bread two days ago and I have several slices left and I haven’t eaten breakfast yet and, fortunately for me, I have two whole gallons of milk, so this is HAPPENING! Also, Rodelle for the win. I am cray cray about that stuff. Ok, and Scharffenberger. You should totally be an ambassador for them too (saying the word ambassador makes me imagine them as tiny countries of vanilla and chocolate to which you travel in a navy blue pant suit, which is pretty magical).
Sarah that was hilarious! This stuff looks delicious :)
I love that you didn’t tell your neighbor about your milk needs :) you could have told me if I was your neighbor because I understand those needs! This looks delicious and like something I would crave any day of the week. I can’t believe I never made it to mamas while I was living in sf! Next time…
Wow – this is one gorgeous breakfast! Definitely no judgement for eating this on a Thursday. All in the name of recipe development….right?
It’s very safe to say that French Toast is one of my favorite dishes! This looks to die for!! Thanks for sharing this gorgeous recipe!