Cardamom French Toast

This easy gluten free Cardamom French Toast recipe is great for breakfast! It's spiced with cinnamon and made in a cast iron skillet.

French toast is a dish that most of us likely have been enjoying throughout our lives. It's devoured by both kids and adults alike. This Cardamom French Toast puts a bit of a twist on the lifelong classic!

I'm a total sucker for a breakfast that includes a cup of coffee served alongside any form of semi-sweet bready items like pancakes, waffles, and French toast.

French toast is great because it's easy to pull together and doesn't require mixing a batter like pancakes or any special kitchen gadgets like a waffle maker. All you need to make it is a loaf of bread, eggs, milk, and a couple of spices.

Cinnamon is the quintessential spice used when making French toast and this recipe is no exception. The distinction between most French toast recipes and this one is the addition of cardamom.

The cardamom adds a slight aromatic flavor that complements the cinnamon nicely. It's a warming spice with mild notes of pine and citrus. It adds just a little something to your regular French toast recipe.

Jump to:

• What Is Cardamom?
• Ingredients For Cardamom French Toast
• Where Can I Find Cardamom?
• What Kind Of Bread Is Best For French Toast?
• How To Make Cardamom French Toast
• What Type Of Milk Is Best For French Toast?
• What Is The Best Type Of Pan?
• How To Tell When French Toast Is Done
• What To Top French Toast With?
• How To Reheat French Toast
• How Long Does It Last In The Fridge?
• Can It Be Frozen?
• Cardamom French Toast

What Is Cardamom?

What is cardamom, anyway, and why add it to French toast?

Cardamom is a spice that's related to ginger and turmeric and is native to Southern India. It's made from the seed pods of the cardamom plant and can be purchased ground or in pods.

The interesting thing about cardamom is that it can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It's found in soups, curries, and rice, in addition to sweet recipes like cookies and drinks like chai.

Cardamom is prevalent in Indian cooking and many Scandinavian desserts. I first fell in love with this delicious spice while enjoying an Iced Cardamom Cookie in college while working at a coffee shop.

Ingredients For Cardamom French Toast

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 1 loaf Gluten Free Bread (or any bread if not gluten free)
• 5 Eggs
• ½ cup Evaporated Milk (or milk of choice)
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 3 tsp. Ground Cardamom
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• 2-3 Tbsp. Butter (split)
• Lemon Zest (optional)
• Maple Syrup or any sweet syrup (optional)

Where Can I Find Cardamom?

You can find ground cardamom in the spice section of your local grocery store, the bulk spice section of a local food coop, or online.

What Kind Of Bread Is Best For French Toast?

The ideal bread to use when making French toast is thick, sturdy, and can hold up to being dipped into the egg and milk mixture without falling apart.

Examples of the ideal bread for French toast include brioche, challah, and Texas Toast. This recipe is gluten free and many of us who are gluten free know that sometimes you have to work with whatever bread is available at the store.

If you can find a loaf of gluten free brioche or challah, I highly recommend using one of those. I'm happy to settle for any loaf of sturdy white bread that I can get my hands on.

Schar makes a nice basic white bread and Canyon Bakehouse is also a great option for store-bought gluten free bread. I would veer away from seedy multigrain bread for better taste and texture.

Feel free to use any variety of bread you like if gluten is not an issue for you.

No matter which bread you choose, it's preferable that the bread is slightly stale or a bit dry when making French toast.

Feel free to use cardamom bread if you really want to bump up the cardamom flavor in this recipe.

How To Make Cardamom French Toast

This Cardamom French Toast is super easy and is made just as you would any French toast recipe.

1. Start by cracking 5 eggs into a mixing bowl. Stir the eggs until completely whisked together.
2. Add ½ cup of evaporated milk (or milk of choice) to the eggs and stir until incorporated.
3. Add 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 3 tsp. ground cardamom, and 1 tsp. cinnamon, to the bowl. Stir until completely combined.
4. Place half of a loaf of bread into a cake pan. Pour half of the egg mixture over the bread, flipping to make sure the bread is evenly coated in the mixture.
5. Allow the bread to soak for a few minutes.

What Type Of Milk Is Best For French Toast?

Many French toast recipes call for whole milk or even heavy whipping cream. This provides a creamy texture and decadent flavor to the dish.

I used evaporated milk because I do not often have milk in my fridge, but always have a can or two of it in my pantry.

If you prefer a creamier texture and richer flavor, feel free to use whole milk or heavy whipping cream.

Conversely, if you do not want to use dairy milk, nondairy options such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk are great choices.

What Is The Best Type Of Pan?

This recipe is made in a skillet on the stove top. I used a cast iron skillet, simply because that is the type of skillet I have on hand. Feel free to use a nonstick skillet or stainless steel skillet if you prefer.

The key to prevent French toast to sticking to the skillet is to use a good amount of butter, ghee, or a combination of oil and butter.

1. Place a skillet of your choice on the stove top and bring to medium heat.
2. Add 1 Tbsp. butter to the skillet and allow it to melt completely (you can also use ghee or a combo of butter and a neutral oil such as grapeseed or canola oil).
3. Place as many of the pieces of bread in the skillet as will fit, without overcrowding the pan.
4. Cook the French toast for a few minutes, peeking underneath to see if it needs to be flipped or rotated (if cooking unevenly, rotate it so that each side gets evenly browned before flipping).
5. After one side is golden brown, flip it over and repeat with the other side, rotating if necessary to ensure even cooking.
6. Remove the French toast and set aside.

How To Tell When French Toast Is Done

Cooking times may vary, depending on the thickness of your bread, the heat of your stove top, and the type of skillet used.

Generally, it takes a few minutes per side to cook French toast. If the center is wet and soggy, keep it on the heat until cooked through.

The edges should be browned and a bit caramelized and the center a golden brown. It's important the that center is fully cooked, as it contains raw eggs, but not overcooked or it may dry out.

1. Once the first batch of bread is toasted, place the second half in the cake pan and pour the rest of the egg mixture over the top. Flip, and allow it to soak for a few minutes before frying.
2. Place another Tbsp. of butter in the skillet and allow it to melt.
3. Place the second batch of soaked bread in the skillet and repeat the process.
4. Be sure to add more butter with each batch of bread added to the skillet.

What To Top French Toast With?

The great thing about French toast is that you can top it with just about anything.

I love this Cardamom version topped with lemon zest and some maple syrup, but these toppings are totally optional. It's important to remember that much of the sweetness comes from the topping, as this French toast recipe is not overly sweet.

Here are some great topping ideas:

• Honey
• Whipped Cream
• Fresh Fruit
• Caramelized Bananas
• Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, or any nut butter
• Jam
• Toasted Walnuts, Almonds, Hazelnuts, or nuts of choice
• Yogurt
• A combination of any of these ingredients

How To Reheat French Toast

If you've got leftovers, you might want to reheat them.

To Reheat In The Stove

1. Simply spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place the cooked French toast on it.
2. Place the baking sheet in an oven heated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for a few minutes on the first side.
3. Flip, and cook for a few additional minutes on the second side.

To Reheat In The Microwave

1. Place the cooked French toast on a plate and heat for 30 seconds or so in the microwave.
2. Be careful not to overheat the French toast, or it may become rubbery.

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How Long Does It Last In The Fridge?

Leftover French toast should last 2-3 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Be sure to allow it to cool completely before transferring to the fridge for storage.

Can It Be Frozen?

Yes! French toast makes a great freezer breakfast and can be eaten individually without thawing first.

How To Freeze

1. Place the cooked and cool French toast on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours.
2. Place the frozen French toast in a heavy-duty freezer bag, label with the date, and store in the freezer up to three months.

How To Reheat

1. Place the frozen French toast in the refrigerator for a few hours to thaw (optional).
2. Place the frozen French toast in the microwave for 30 seconds or so OR place on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and bake for 5-6 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or until heated through.

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