Crunchy Coconut French Toast by Bob and Melinda Blanchard

Crunchy Coconut French Toast
by Bob and Melinda Blanchard
from Cook What You Love
(Clarkson Potter, 2005)
Serves 4

French toast is one of our favorite breakfast dishes, so we've experimented with many variations of the classic recipe. We served brunch for a brief time at our restaurant, and this was one of the most popular dishes on the menu. The sweet coconut gives it a Caribbean flavor, while the maple syrup conjures up thoughts of our home in Vermont.


convert		Ingredients
1 1/4 cups		shredded unsweetened coconut (see Note)
3 cups		cornflakes, slightly crushed
4 large		eggs
1/4 cup		milk
1 teaspoon		pure vanilla extract
Four 1-inch-thick		slices challah or 4 croissants, sliced lengthwise
1 tablespoon		unsalted butter
		Real Vermont maple syrup, for serving

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Method

1. Place the coconut and cornflakes in a shallow bowl and mix well.

2. In another shallow bowl, lightly whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Dip the bread slices into the egg mixture and soak for about a minute on each side. They should be well coated but not soggy.

3. Press each slice into the coconut mixture on both sides, patting firmly and turning them over several times to coat thoroughly.

4. Heat the butter on a griddle or in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Serve with warm maple syrup.

Note: It's important to use unsweetened coconut in this recipe. The sweetened variety is too moist and makes the bread soggy.

Reviews

[Susan Bingaman] Keeping the cornflakes and coconut on the slices of challah proved to be the hardest part of this dish. So easy and so good!

[Matilda Luk] The coconut French toast was a huge hit with both the adults and children (ages 7 and 3) of my weekend brunch. The toast came out somewhat unevenly browned, but the taste and texture of the French toast had no equal. The coconut was a great touch, giving the toast a sweetness (but not too sweet), richness, and fragrance that only coconut can give. Crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, this recipe for French toast will be my new standard.

[Courtney Nunes] This French toast received rave reviews from the entire table! A very nice twist on classic French toast.

On 5.10.06 Marissa wrote:
I absolutely loved it! I didn't have unsweetened coconut, but to my surprise, the toast wasn't soggy with the sweetened kind. Mmm... I'm inviting my family over for breakfast tomorrow.