Chocolate-Orange French Toast
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Grater (for orange zest)
- 1 Non-stick skillet or griddle
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Plate for serving
Ingredients
For the French Toast:
- 8 slices of thick bread (preferably brioche or challah)
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp sugar (optional, adjust according to sweetness preference)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Zest of 1 orange
- 1 tbsp orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tbsp butter or oil (for cooking)
For the Chocolate Sauce:
- ½ cup dark chocolate, chopped
- ¼ cup heavy cream or coconut cream
- 1 tsp orange zest
For Garnishing:
- Powdered sugar
- Orange segments or slices
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
Prepare the Batter:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together milk, cornstarch, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice until well combined. The mixture should be smooth with no lumps.
Dip the Bread:
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil.
- Dip each bread slice into the prepared batter, ensuring both sides are evenly coated but not soaked through.
- Let the excess batter drip off before placing the bread on the skillet.
Cook the French Toast:
- Cook the bread slices on the skillet for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and slightly crispy. Adjust the heat as necessary to avoid burning.
- Once cooked, transfer the slices to a plate and cover them to keep warm while you cook the remaining slices.
Make the Chocolate Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream or coconut cream over low heat until it just begins to simmer.
- Remove from heat and add the chopped dark chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Stir in the orange zest for a zesty flavor boost.
Serve:
- Drizzle the warm chocolate sauce over the French toast slices.
- Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh orange segments and mint leaves.
Optional Resting Time:
- Allow the French toast to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use thick slices of bread like brioche or challah, which soak up the batter nicely.
- The chocolate sauce can be made ahead of time and gently reheated before serving.
- To make the dish vegan, substitute the milk and cream with plant-based alternatives like almond milk and coconut cream.