French Toast with Ice Cream
Repurpose melted ice cream into the most decadent, perfectly golden brown Brioche French Toast. Only 4 ingredients + 20 minutes!
Melted ice cream seems like it should be one of life’s great heartbreaks.
Maybe you had a birthday party and left it out a few minutes too long. Maybe your husband accidentally put the ice cream away in the FRIDGE and not the freezer (ask me how I know).
No judgement here. However you got here, we’re going to repurpose that melted ice cream into something magnificent!
This Brioche French Toast recipe uses melted ice cream in place of the dairy and vanilla extract found in traditional French toast recipes.
The subtle sweetness of the ice cream, along with the perfectly crisp golden brown crust on the French toast may have you melting ice cream on purpose for brunch!
Allow me to introduce you to this ice cream French toast recipe that is made with melted ice cream. It’s a kitchen “hack” that has probably already made the rounds on Tik Tok, but I’ve been making since long before that.
Why you’ll love this French Toast with Brioche Bread
- If you’ve ever left a carton of ice cream out too long and it’s melted too much, this is a back-pocket recipe. Re-freezing ice cream is never a great idea, but this recipe is!
- With the melted ice cream taking the place of both the milk and the vanilla, this recipe comes together with just 4 ingredients!
- The decadent combination of rich brioche bread and melted ice cream creates a breakfast that feels like dessert. It’s perfect for a special occasion brunch!
What is French Toast with Ice Cream?
In this recipe, French Toast with Ice Cream means French toast that is made by using melted ice cream as the dairy component of the custard.
The luscious creaminess and subtle sweetness that ice creams introduces elevates this beloved dish to a whole new level.
Ingredients for French Toast with Ice Cream
- brioche bread – the star ingredient, known for its rich, tender crumb.
- eggs – these will act as the binding agent for the French toast.
- melted ice cream – takes the place of both the dairy (milk or cream) and vanilla extract for this recipe.
- butter – for griddling the French toast to a perfect golden brown.
Brioche Bread French Toast variations
The classic move here is to you vanilla ice cream for ice cream French toast. Classic vanilla, French vanilla, or even vanilla bean all work great here.
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But you can also use flavored ice cream like strawberry or chocolate for ice cream French toast!
The only caveat here is that you don’t want an ice cream with too many chunks in it. Save the pint studded with huge chunks of cookie dough to just eat on its own, OK?
How to make Ice Cream French Toast with Brioche Bread
Dip each piece of bread into the custard for 15 seconds per side, and then griddle the bread in melted butter until it’s golden brown and delicious looking.
Brioche French Toast Recipe Home Chef Tips
- I highly suggest having a bowl of ice cream on Saturday night, and then putting 1 cup of ice cream in a separate bowl and leaving it in the fridge overnight. By the time your eyes open on Sunday morning, the ice cream will be melted and you’re basically halfway to ice cream French toast.
- Choose a high-quality brioche bread for best results. Stop by a local bakery, perhaps! The better the bread, the more indulgent your French toast will be.
- Avoid crowding the griddle or skillet. Cooking the French toast in batches allows each slice to cook evenly and achieve that perfect crispiness you want.
What is the trick to not soggy French Toast
Achieving the right balance between crisp exterior and soft interior is the key to avoid soggy French toast. To do this, be sure to dip each slice of brioche into the melted ice cream mixture and soak just 15 seconds per side.
This allows it to coat the bread without oversaturating it, and ensures a delightful texture when cooked.
What to serve with French Toast Brioche
- TOPPINGS – Maple syrup, whipped cream, powdered sugar, (frozen!) ice cream and fresh berries all make delicious topping options for brioche French toast.
- SIDES – bacon in the oven, turkey bacon, sausage links in the oven and breakfast egg muffins all pair very well with French toast. For more ideas, see our brunch menu post!
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Ice Cream French Toast with Brioche Bread
Ingredients
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup ice cream melted (see Home Chef Tip below)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 8 slices brioche bread
- Fresh berries, ice cream, whipped cream, powdered sugar and/or maple syrup, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- In shallow bowl or pie plate, whisk eggs until smooth. Add melted ice cream and whisk until well combined.
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter on griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Working in two batches, dip each slice of bread into ice cream mixture and allow to soak for 15 seconds per side. Transfer soaked bread to griddle and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Repeat process with remaining bread slices, ice cream mixture and butter.
- Serve French toast with berries, ice cream, whipped cream, powdered sugar and/or maple syrup.
Notes
- Home Chef Tip: You can use any flavor of ice cream for this recipe, but try to avoid ones with lots of chunks in them, and be aware that whatever flavor you use will definitely be tasted in the final product! Vanilla is classic, but chocolate and strawberry work well too.
