Citrus-Infused French Toast with Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

Classic French toast elevated with fresh orange zest and a homemade vanilla bean maple syrup, perfect for a leisurely brunch. This French-inspired brunch recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, combines brioche bread slices, large eggs, whole milk into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 3, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 6 slices, about 1-inch thick brioche bread slices
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1, split and scraped vanilla bean
• for dusting powdered sugar
• 1 cup, for serving fresh berries

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large shallow dish, whisk together 4 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp fresh orange zest until smooth and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt 1 tbsp unsalted butter until foaming. Dip each slice of 6 brioche bread into the egg mixture, soaking both sides for about 15 seconds, then place in the skillet.
3. Step 3: Cook bread slices for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and slightly crisp on the edges. Add more butter, 1 tbsp at a time, as needed for subsequent batches.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup maple syrup and the scraped seeds of 1 split vanilla bean in a small saucepan over low heat. Warm gently for 3-4 minutes until infused, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: Serve the French toast stacked, dusted lightly with powdered sugar, drizzled generously with the vanilla bean maple syrup, and topped with 1 cup fresh mixed berries.