When there is leftover challah bread and you’re looking for an easy-to-make breakfast, a simple french toast is only minutes away. Our favorite recipe starts with using a great challah. You can certainly make your own or get it from your favorite bakery. Charlie’s Best Bread here in San Diego has always been a favorite of ours for its soft texture and delicious taste. The only other ingredients you need are a few eggs, some milk, butter, sugar and cinamon. For a little something extra, we’ve added a few drops of Grand-Marnier (orange-flavored liqueur).

In a flat-bottomed baking dish, like this 8″ Square Baking Pan, crack 3 eggs and add a half cup of milk. Whisk the eggs and milk together until the eggs are completely mixed into the milk, and then add a half teaspoon of cinamon and a tablespoon of sugar. Here’s where you can add the Grand-Marnier, or even just a little orange juice. About a tablespoon is all it takes to get that little extra orange flavor. Now that the mixture is ready, slice the bread into 1 inch slices. The thick slice allows the bread to absorb more of the mixture and still hold up.

One by one, let the bread slices sit in the egg mixture for 30 seconds on each side. Then let the soaked slices sit on a plate while you finish the rest. When all the slices are finished soaking in the egg mixture, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and put a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of butter to the hot pan and swirl it to coat the entire bottom of the pan. Then, add the slices to the pan one at a time. Be careful not to crowd the slices in your pan.

After 1-2 minutes, flip the slices and continue to cook them for another 1-2 minutes more. Be careful to check that they don’t get too dark, we’re just looking for a nice golden-brown color. Once the second side is cooked, put the slices on a baking sheet in the preheated oven for another 4 minutes. This will make sure the inside of our french-toast is fully cooked, without making the outside too dark.

When the french-toast is done, all that’s left is plating. We love to top ours with some fresh berries. You can also add syrup, your favorite jam, or even just a light dusting of powdered sugar and a touch of cinamon.

Makes 2 servings of 2 slices each
Ingredients:

• 4 slices of challah bread 1 inch thick
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of Cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of Grand-Marnier or orange liqueur
• Mixed berries for topping