French Toast Sticks: A Guide to Making and Enjoying!

Introduction

French toast sticks are a delightful treat, whether you find them in a fast food establishment or make them at home. These strips of bread, soaked in a mixture of eggs and milk, then fried to perfection, offer a unique twist on the traditional French toast experience. They are popular among families and children alike, with their extra crunchy edges and sweet maple syrup drizzled on top.

What Are French Toast Sticks?

French toast sticks are essentially thickly sliced and fried bread strips, often served with a sweet maple syrup. They are best enjoyed by those with a penchant for sickly sweet breakfast foods, as they can be quite indulgent. The name itself gives away the preparation method: the bread is sliced into sticks before being soaked in a mixture of eggs and milk before frying.

Ingredients and Preparation

To make French toast sticks at home, you will need a few simple ingredients and some patience. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Ingredients

8 slices thick-cut Texas toast 4 large eggs 1 cup heavy cream 2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 Tablespoon sugar 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract Unsalted butter for cooking Maple syrup for serving

Instructions

Cut each slice of Texas toast into four sticks. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla extract. Dip each piece of bread in the egg mixture, turning to coat it on all sides, making sure it is well-saturated with the custard mixture. Shake off any excess and place the coated bread on a large plate or baking dish. Repeat the dipping process with the remaining pieces of bread. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is melted, place several sticks in a single layer in the pan. Do not overcrowd the pan. Cook until the sticks are golden brown on one side, then flip and continue cooking until the edges are golden brown and slightly crisp. Serve the French toast sticks warm, drizzled with maple syrup.

Shopping for Breadsticks

When it comes to breadsticks, it is important to differentiate between them and baguettes. Baguettes, while often used in making breadsticks, are not the same. Baguettes are long, slender loaves of bread, while breadsticks can be either thick or thin, usually pre-cooked and designed to be broken into smaller pieces for serving. In France, breadsticks are known as gressins. Make sure to purchase the right type of bread for your French toast sticks to achieve the perfect texture and flavor.

Conclusion

Making French toast sticks at home is a fun and delicious activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family. With the right ingredients and preparation, you can enjoy these sweet and crunchy treats any time of the day. Remember, the key to perfect French toast sticks is the right balance of sweetness and crispiness. So, the next time you crave a sweet and indulgent breakfast, give French toast sticks a try!

Note: Baguettes are mentioned for comparison and do not replace the need to understand the distinction between breadsticks and baguettes.