Most of my fellow Americans are probably thinking to themselves, “What is Boxing Day?” Prior to meeting, dating, and marrying a Canadian, I had no idea Boxing Day was a thing. Big in Canada and in Europe, Boxing Day is the day after Christmas Day where a bunch of post-Christmas sales take place as well as the chucking of many, many gift boxes into the garbage. Since I normally celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, technically Christmas Day is my Boxing Day. Nevertheless, the day after Christmas calls for a very tasty breakfast, which is why I love making my banana bread French toast.
I first heard of banana bread French toast while on my very first trip to Whistler in February 2011. I was skimming through menus of local restaurants in the village when I came across one restaurant that boasted about its banana bread French toast. My eyes (and tastebuds) immediately perked up at the thought of that, and I knew I had to try to make some for myself. Since most of you know how much I love a good, thick, brioche French toast, I already knew this banana bread French toast would be a hit with me. I made my first batch for my family one year for New Year’s, and they loved it so much that now it’s become a staple to have on Boxing Day.
BANANA BREAD FRENCH TOAST
INGREDIENTS FOR BANANA BREAD
– 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 eggs
– 3 ripened bananas, peeled
– 1 tablespoon milk
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
– 1 teaspoon nutmeg
– 2 cups flour
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
INGREDIENTS FOR FRENCH TOAST
– 2 eggs
– 1 cup of milk
– 2 tablespoons butter
To make my banana bread, I follow Food’s Network’s recipe, however I like to add 1 teaspoon of nutmeg along with the cinnamon. It’s best to bake the banana bread one or two days ahead of time before you plan on making French toast with it to give the top of the loaf a chance to soften and moisten.
When it’s time to make the French toast, cut 1-inch slices from the loaf of banana bread. In a separate bowl (the wider the better), crack open the two eggs and pour in the cup of milk. Whisk until combined well. Take a frying pan (non-stick is best) and melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in it on medium heat. Take a slice of banana bread and place it in the egg mixture in the bowl, thoroughly coating the slice on both sides. Then place it in the frying pan and let cook about 3 minutes on the first side and 1 minute on the other side. Stack the finished French toast on a serving plate or in a pancake warmer (hey it keeps waffles and French toast warm, too!).
Once all the slices are done, it’s time to eat! Melt some butter on your banana bread French toast and pour a little bit of maple syrup on top for the ultimate breakfast treat! You can also dust some powdered sugar on top for a “snow effect”. This breakfast goes really well with fresh mugs of hot cocoa too, just sayin’!
Looks yummy😍. Gonna try this😀
Yay! I hope you like it!
Hey, I’ll try this recipe but do you know here in France sometimes (when I was little) we make « du pain perdu » it means, stale bread from three or four days, you cut it into slices and then you put it into your mixture of egg and milk and then into a pan!! You can put some sugar in a plate and then add your bread when it’s done. You should try it,
Your hot cocoa recipe is fantastic by the way!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to both of you (and the cats). May you have all you wish for. x
Chloé
Hi Chloé! That sounds like a delicious breakfast tradition! And I am glad you like the hot cocoa recipe!
Merry (belated) Christmas!
Hej kære Alyssa
Jeg er meget spændt på opskriften, går igang med det samme 😉
Thanks for your very exiting posts, it inspires me a lot.
Love from Nahomi (Denmark)