This Caramel French Toast recipe will spoil you forever. It is stunning, simple to make and tastes as good as it looks. The combination of homemade caramel sauce loaded with crisp bacon and topped with pecans is memorable.
We love breakfast treats that are special-occasion worthy and easily feed a crowd like Cinnamon Rolls, bakery-style Almond Croissants and of course French Toast. Make this Caramel French Toast for your next brunch party and you will get recipe requests.
Ingredients
For the Bacon Caramel Pecan Topping1 cup pecans
3 oz bacon, (4 strips), chopped
5 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 Tbsp water
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
For French Toast
1 loaf Italian Bread , Cut 3/4 thick (or 9-10 slices Texas Toast)
1 cup whole milk
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 pinch of salt
1 Tbsp butter, or as needed to saute
Method
For Bacon Caramel Pecan Topping
* Toast pecans on a dry skillet over medium heat, tossing frequently until golden and fragrant. Remove from pan and set aside to cool.
* Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and add chopped bacon, sauteing and stirring ocassionally until browned. Use a slotted spoon to remove to plate.
* Melt 5 Tbsp butter into the bacon fat then add 1 cup brown sugar, 1 Tbsp water and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil then keep at a low boil 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
* Remove pan from heat and stir in 1/2 cup whipping cream and 1 tsp vanilla. Stir in chopped bacon, place back over heat and lightly boil another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool 10 minutes before serving.
For French Toast
* In a mixing bowl, whisk together wet ingredients until combined: 1 cup milk, 3 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla. While whisking, add dry ingredients: 1/4 cup flour, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
* Cut bread into 9 or 10 slices each 3/4 thick. Place a large skillet over medium heat with 1 Tbsp butter.
* Dip each piece of toast generously in the egg mixture, turning a couple of times to thoroughly coat. Add to the skillet in a single layer, cooking in batches about 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown on each side.* Repeat with remaining toasts, adding more butter as needed then transfer to a platter.
* To serve: Top French Toast with a heaping Tablespoon of the bacon caramel topping then sprinkle each with toasted pecans.