Custard French Toast Cheese (Printable)

Creamy custard-infused bread stuffed with melted cheese, cooked to golden perfection for a hearty brunch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Custard Mixture

01 - 3 large eggs
02 - ¾ cup whole milk
03 - ¼ cup heavy cream
04 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
05 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
06 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
07 - ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

→ Bread

08 - 8 slices brioche or challah bread, about ½ inch thick

→ Cheese Filling

09 - 8 slices Gruyère or sharp cheddar cheese, or a combination

→ For Cooking

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola

# How to Make It:

01 - In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard until smooth and combined.
02 - Lay 4 slices of bread on a flat surface, place 2 cheese slices on each, then cover with remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
03 - Warm a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon butter and ½ tablespoon oil, swirling to coat the pan evenly.
04 - Dip each sandwich into the custard mixture, coating both sides evenly without allowing the bread to soak through.
05 - Place custard-coated sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and cheese is melted; cook in batches adding more butter and oil as needed.
06 - Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board, allow to rest for 2 minutes, then slice and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The custard creates the most incredibly tender texture while still delivering that satisfying crunch
  • It hits every crave button at once sweet creamy salty and cheesy in perfect balance
  • Ready in thirty minutes but tastes like something from a fancy brunch spot
02 -
  • Over soaking turns these into mush so a quick dip on each side is perfect
  • Medium low heat is better than high heat to ensure the cheese melts before the bread burns
  • A press with your spatula helps the crust make even contact with the pan
03 -
  • Pat the cheese dry first if it seems especially wet to prevent soggy bread
  • Let the finished sandwiches rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels to stay crisp
  • A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning on top right after flipping adds amazing flavor
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