This Easter I’m whipping up a batch of fluffy French Toast with Lemon Mascarpone cream for Easter brunch.  It’s the perfect recipe to sweeten up any occasion, especially brunch!

French toast is one of my favorite breakfast foods.  But, it’s also one of those recipes I rarely make at home.  That is until I figured out how to perfect the recipe to create this sweet and fluffy French Toast.  

Light and fluffy French toast topped with a creamy lemon mascarpone cream, powdered sugar and fresh fruit are what brunch dreams are made of.  This tasty dish makes me want to host a spring brunch every weekend!

What is Brunch?

The general consensus is that brunch happens between 11 am and 4 pm.  If you are eating before 11 am, it’s considered breakfast.  

I’m a big fan of brunch.  Maybe it’s because I’m not a morning person.  I love the idea of sleeping in and having a slower-paced start to the day.  Plus brunch is a great way to satisfy all of the sweet and savory cravings from your favorite breakfast and lunch foods.  Don’t forget the sweet sips, pair it with a refreshing Honey Ginger Lemonade Cocktail.

Brunch is often a long-standing tradition for springtime celebrations like Easter and Mother’s Day.  Whether you are using the meal as an excuse to catch up with your girlfriends or creating a new family tradition there are lots of ideas and recipes to help you make it extraordinary.

How to Make French Toast

If you have ever tried to make French toast at home you may have walked away with burnt toast and lots of frustration.  The key to making great French toast comes down to a few simple things, like using the right type of bread and using the right ratio of dairy.

What is the Best Bread for French Toast?

The key to making the fluffiest French toast is all in the bread.  The most popular types of bread used to make French toast are brioche and challah bread.

Brioche bread is a rich, golden-brown bread that has a hint of sweetness and a decadently buttery flavor.  You will want to slice the bread into thick 1-inch pieces perfect for soaking up the egg mixture.

How to Make Egg Mixture for French Toast

Getting the right ratio, typically a quarter cup of milk and one egg per two-slice serving is what will create the fluffiest French toast.  Adding too much dairy will keep the egg in the mixture from cooking, meaning wet, soggy bread.  You want the French toast to be dry on the surface with slightly crisp golden edges.

Most people just quickly dip the bread in the egg mixture.  However, to get perfectly fluffy French toast you need to let the bread soak in the mixture for at least 20 seconds on each side.  Take it a step further and let the bread soak in the rich custard flavor by placing the dipped slices in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.

Turn Up the Heat 

No one wants burnt-yet-soggy pieces of French toast.  Want to know the ultimate secret to the fluffiest, sweetest French toast?  Preheating the pan, using Ghee Clarified Butter, and cooking on medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes per side.

I use Truly Grass Fed Ghee Clarified Butter to fry my French toast to golden perfection.  Ghee Clarified Butter is ideal for cooking and baking due to its delicious taste, and for sautéing due to its high smoke point. Frying the French toast with the Ghee Clarified Butter helps give your French toast the golden brown outer crust while keeping it light and fluffy on the inside.

Have you ever used Ghee Clarified Butter? Give it a try, I promise this French toast is a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for any occasion!

French Toast with Lemon Mascarpone

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Light and fluffy French toast topped with a creamy lemon mascarpone cream cheese, powdered sugar and fresh fruit will sweeten up any day.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• French Toast
• 4 eggs
• 2 tablespoons sugar powdered
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons ghee butter or oil
• 12 slices thick brioche bread slices
• Lemon Mascarpone Cream Cheese
• 6 oz. mascarpone cheese
• 1/2 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• Powdered Sugar to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix together the mascarpone cheese, whipping cream, lemon zest and juice and powdered sugar to taste. I recommend adding a little at a time until it reaches the desired sweetness. Set aside.
2. Beat eggs with a mixer or whisk until they are light, frothy and evenly colored.
3. Next, add milk, sugar, and vanilla. Mix well and set aside.
4. In a shallow frying pan over medium-high heat, add 1/2 tsp ghee and melt completely.
5. Dip a slice of bread into mixture making sure both sides are evenly soaked. Soak each side for 20 seconds. Let the excess egg mixture drip off before frying.
6. Place the soaked bread into the frying pan and fry on both sides until they are browned and cooked through. 
7. Repeat the process and add ghee as needed.
8. Serve warm with powdered sugar, lemon mascarpone cheese and fresh fruit.

Other delicious brunch ideas include this easy Asparagus Tart with Honey Lemon Sauce, DIY Waffle Bar, and Lemon Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls.