Kitchen Recipe Collection
Italian Pandoro French Toast
A decadent holiday breakfast utilizing leftover Pandoro (Veronese sweet bread), soaked in an egg custard and pan-fried until golden.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- italian
Ingredients
Scaled for 4 servings
- thick slices of leftover Pandoro (or Panettone)
- eggs
- milk
- heavy cream
- vanilla extract
- orange zest
- butter
- maple syrup or honey
- fresh berries
Equipment
- Wide shallow bowl
- Large skillet
Instructions
- 1
Slice the Pandoro
Cut thick, 1.5-inch slices of slightly stale Pandoro. A star-shaped horizontal slice looks beautiful.
- 2
Make the Custard
In a wide, shallow bowl, vigorously whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and fresh orange zest.
- 3
No Sugar Needed
Do not add sugar to the custard; Pandoro is already heavily sweetened.
- 4
Heat the Skillet
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt a generous pat of butter until foaming.
- 5
Soak the Bread
Dip a slice of Pandoro into the egg custard. Let it soak for just 5-10 seconds per side. (Pandoro is very soft and will fall apart if over-soaked).
- 6
Fry
Carefully lift the soaked slice and place it gently into the hot butter in the skillet.
- 7
Cook First Side
Cook for about 3 minutes until the bottom is a deep, caramelized golden brown.
- 8
Flip
Carefully flip the slice with a wide spatula. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- 9
Keep Warm
Remove the cooked French toast to a warm plate and repeat with the remaining slices, adding more butter as needed.
- 10
Garnish
Top with fresh raspberries or strawberries to cut the richness.
- 11
Drizzle
Drizzle lightly with warm maple syrup or honey.
- 12
Serve
Serve immediately while warm and crispy on the outside.
Cooking Tips
- Slightly stale bread is crucial. Fresh Pandoro will disintegrate in the egg wash.
- Keep the heat at medium. The high sugar content in the bread will burn quickly if the pan is too hot.
Variations
- Panettone French Toast: Use Panettone instead, which adds the flavor of candied fruits and raisins.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- The perfect way to use up leftover holiday sweet breads in the days following Christmas.
Nutrition Estimate
420 calories · 8g protein · 45g carbs · 22g fat · 2g fiber per serving
