French Toast with Strawberry-Balsamic Compote

Who doesn’t love a good plate of French toast? It’s a classic breakfast favorite that’s sweet, comforting, and easy to make. But if you’re looking to elevate your holiday mornings, this French Toast with Strawberry-Balsamic Compote is just what you need! 🍓✨

The real magic is in the compote—a sweet and tangy blend of fresh strawberries and rich balsamic vinegar that takes this dish to a whole new level. It’s the perfect way to add a little sophistication and flavor to your breakfast table. Whether you’re hosting a cozy holiday brunch or simply want to treat your family to something special, this recipe has “breakfast favorite” written all over it.

Ready to make your mornings more delicious? Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients (French Toast):

(This recipe makes 4 servings)

1. Eight, 1/2-in thick slices of bread (white or brioche tend to be best)

2. 6 Large, Organic Eggs

3. 1/4 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

4. 2 Cups of Whole Milk

5. 4 Tbs of Sugar

6. Powdered Sugar for Garnish (Optional)

7. Kosher Salt (Pinch)

8. Grated Nutmeg (Freshly grated, if possible)

9. 4 Tbs of Unsalted Butter (For cooking in the pan + serving as desired)

Ingredients (Strawberry-Balsamic Compote):

1. 4 Cups of Strawberries (Organic, preferably. Chopped)

2. 2 Tsp of Balsamic Vinegar (Any of these will do nicely!)

3. 1/4 Cup of White Sugar

4. 1/8 Tsp of Salt

Instructions:

Act 1: Create Strawberry-Balsamic Compote Goodness
Start by grabbing a saucepan and tossing in your chopped strawberries, sugar, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Give everything a good stir so the berries are nicely coated.

Now, let the magic happen—set the mixture aside for about 10 minutes. This gives the strawberries time to release their sweet, juicy goodness. 🍓✨

Next, place the saucepan on the stove and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once it’s bubbling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let it simmer. Stir it every now and then while it cooks—after about 20 minutes, the strawberries will be soft, and the compote will be beautifully thick and rich.

Take it off the heat and let it cool down just a bit. You can serve it warm for a cozy touch or let it cool completely for a thicker, jam-like consistency. Either way, this Strawberry-Balsamic Compote is ready to shine!

Act 2: That Bread Isn't Going to French Toast Itself!
Start by preheating your oven to 200°F and setting up a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. This will help keep everything neat and easy to handle.

If your bread is super fresh and a little too moist, don’t worry—there’s an easy fix! Lay the slices out in a single layer on the rack and pop them in the oven. Let them toast gently, flipping once, until they’re just slightly crispy, about 10 minutes. This step gives your bread the perfect texture to soak up all the tasty flavors in your recipe.

Act 3: French Toast Batter that's Better
Grab a large mixing bowl, and whisk together eggs, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Pour in the milk and whisk vigorously to blend.

If you have one available (and you won't wake up too many people doing so), feel free to whizz the above mixture in a blender for a quick-n-easy combining!