Brioche French Toast Recipe

This brioche French toast recipe transforms thick-cut brioche, rich vanilla custard, jammy stewed plums, and fragrant rosewater whipped cream into a luxurious brunch dish with dessert-worthy flair. Featured on Bring on the Karbs! with Josh and Erica Karbelnik, this recipe combines golden pan-fried French toast, warm fruit, and soft cream for a bold, comforting plate that feels special but approachable.

Improvised in the joyful spirit of Bring on the Karbs!, this recipe celebrates buttery bread, silky custard, aromatic spice, and fruit-forward sweetness. The result is a rich, elegant French toast dish perfect for weekend brunch, special occasions, or an indulgent breakfast-for-dessert moment.

The Inspiration

French toast is one of the great comfort dishes because it turns simple ingredients—bread, eggs, dairy, sugar, and butter—into something warm, golden, and deeply satisfying. This brioche French toast recipe takes that classic idea and makes it more decadent by using thick-cut brioche and a custard made with egg yolks, 35% whipping cream, vanilla paste, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Instead of a lean egg-and-milk mixture, this custard is rich, creamy, and aromatic, creating a soft, almost pudding-like centre with a beautifully browned exterior.

This recipe fits perfectly into the carb-loving world of Bring on the Karbs! because the bread is the star. Josh and Erica Karbelnik’s improvisational cooking style encourages big flavours, playful combinations, and a willingness to turn familiar comfort food into something memorable. All recipes featured in this episode of Bring on the Karbs! were improvised by Josh and Erica Karbelnik, and this version is an approximation of what unfolded during the episode. Home cooks are encouraged to embrace the same spirit of experimentation and enjoy the process.

Ingredients

• 3 slices thick cut brioche
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 cups 35% whipping cream
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla paste
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Butter for frying

Stewed Plums

• 6 plums, pitted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cardamom pod

Rosewater Whipped Cream

• 1 cup 35% cream
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon rose water

Garnishes (optional)

• Fresh micro mint
• Watercress

Method

Make the French Toast

• Make your French toast custard mix by whisking cream, egg yolks, vanilla, sugar, and spices.
• Dip your bread into the custard mix and soak for about 1 minute.
• Place into a nonstick pan with some butter on medium low heat until the center is cooked and fluffy and the outside is brown, turning once.

Make the Stewed Plums

• Place plums in a pot with sugar and cook until jammy.

Make the Whipped Cream

• Whisk your whipping cream with sugar and rosewater until stiff peaks form.
• Serve French toast with plums and whipped cream.
• Garnish with fresh mint.

Serving Suggestions

This brioche French toast with stewed plums and rosewater whipped cream is ideal for weekend brunch, holiday mornings, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any occasion that calls for a sweet, memorable breakfast dish. Because the recipe is rich and custardy, it pairs beautifully with strong coffee, espresso, black tea, chai, or a lightly sparkling brunch cocktail.

If serving guests, place the French toast slices on a platter, spoon the plums over the centre, and offer the whipped cream on the side so everyone can add as much as they like. The fresh mint and watercress add a refined, colourful touch, making the dish feel bright, aromatic, and restaurant-inspired.

Final Thoughts

This brioche French toast recipe is a celebration of richness, comfort, and elegant flavour. It takes the familiar pleasure of French toast and elevates it with thick-cut brioche, a cream-and-egg-yolk custard, warm cinnamon, fragrant vanilla paste, jammy stewed plums, and floral rosewater whipped cream. The result is indulgent, balanced, and visually beautiful.

For anyone looking for a decadent French toast recipe, a brunch recipe with stewed plums, or a creative way to use brioche, this dish is a standout. It is golden, creamy, fruity, floral, and satisfying—the kind of recipe that turns a simple morning into something memorable.

Find more recipes from Bring on the Karbs! here!

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