Chocolate French Toast Pain Perdu by Melissa D Arabian
Indulge in the decadent flavors of Melissa D’Arabian’s Chocolate French Toast Pain Perdu, a luxurious twist on the classic breakfast treat. Crafted with thick slices of day-old brioche or challah, this recipe elevates traditional French toast by infusing the custard mixture with rich cocoa powder and a hint of vanilla. Each slice is soaked to perfection, then pan-fried in butter until golden and slightly crisp, creating a pillow-soft interior with a lightly caramelized crust. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and optional fresh berries or maple syrup, this irresistible breakfast dish strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and indulgence. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s the ultimate centerpiece for a weekend brunch or a special morning treat. Keywords: chocolate French toast, pain perdu recipe, cocoa powder French toast, decadent breakfast ideas, Melissa D’Arabian recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 slices Day-old brioche or challah bread, thickly sliced
- 4 large Eggs
- 1.5 cups Milk
- 0.5 cups Heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons Cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar (for garnish)
- 1 cup Fresh berries (optional)
- 0.5 cup Maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder until well combined and smooth.
Pour the chocolate mixture into a shallow dish that can accommodate the bread slices in a single layer.
Dip each slice of brioche or challah into the chocolate mixture, ensuring both sides are evenly coated. Let the bread soak for about 20-30 seconds on each side to absorb the flavors.
Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter.
Working in batches, place the soaked bread slices into the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and slightly crisp. Add more butter to the skillet as needed for subsequent batches.
Transfer the cooked French toast to a serving platter and keep warm while cooking the remaining slices.
Dust the finished French toast with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh berries if desired. Serve with maple syrup on the side for added sweetness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
633 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.3 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.0 g | 80% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 275 mg | 92% | |
| Sodium | 380 mg | 17% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 74.3 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.0 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 43.0 g | ||
| Protein | 16.3 g | 33% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.3 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 210 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 3.7 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 456 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
