Almond Crusted French Toast with Whipped Ricotta and Honey
Crispy on the outside and custardy on the inside, this Almond Crusted French Toast with Whipped Ricotta and Honey is begging to be your Christmas morning breakfast!
For a long time, French toast was at the bottom of my breakfast favorites list. It went waffles, eggs benedict, pancakes, sausage gravy and biscuits, omelets, then a few more eggy main dishes and then French toast.
I love the idea of French toast. It’s so simple really. A few slices of bread, a couple of eggs, and a glass of milk and you’ve got breakfast in a flash. But every time I made French toast, the reality did not live up to the expectation. I wanted golden brown, crispy edges with a sweet custardy center. Instead, I got soggy bread. Not my favorite.
Still, I never gave up on French toast. I knew one day I’d get that dream to be a reality, and friends? That day is today.
This Almond Crusted French Toast with Ricotta and Honey is everything I want breakfast to be.ย Coating the bread slices in almonds adds the exact amount of textural contrast I was after. The bread goes from griddle to oven to ensure it’s golden brown and crispy on the outside with zero trace of a soggy center. HURRAY!
But my perfect French toast doesn’t stop there.ย Instead of stuffing the French toast (which only worsens the soggy center issue), I dolloped each slice with a bit of honeyed whipped ricotta and cream cheese. This stuff is dreaaaamy. Studded with orange zest and swirled with cinnamon orange honey, it adds brightness and a touch of luxury to this breakfast treat.
Normally, you’d be reaching for the maple syrup right about now, but instead grab that honey bear and give it a squeeze. Honey is perfect for adding a touch of sweetness toย all your favorite breakfast treats, but is especially wonderful on this French toast. I whisked it up with a little orange juice and cinnamon then made sure each slice was thoroughly coated drenched in that liquid gold.
I don’t even need to tell you how lovely this would be for Christmas morning. You can make the ricotta, honey syrup, and egg custard the night before so all you have to do is grill up the bread in the morning.
Don’t forget to leave room for the honey on your holiday table this year. While it’s perfect for brunch favorites like this, it’s also right at home with your biscuits, sweet potatoes, and even beef.ย For more information about the benefits of honeyย as well as many more recipe ideas, be sure to followย the National Honey Board on honey.com,ย Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram andย YouTube.
Almond Crusted French Toast with Whipped Ricotta and Honey
Ingredients
- For the filling:
- 3/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- Zest of 1 orange
For the syrup:
- 3/4 cup honey
- Juice of 1/2 an orange
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
For the french toast:
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- Splash vanilla
- Pinch salt
- 8 thick slices challah or brioche bread
- 3 Tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the ricotta and cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the orange zest.
- In another small bowl, whisk the honey, orange, and cinnamon. Add three Tablespoons of that mixture to the ricotta and stir. Reserve the rest for the topping.
- In a shallow wide bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt. Spread the almonds out on a plate.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Melt half the butter in the skillet. Dip half the bread slices in the egg mixture, letting it soak in for about five seconds on each side. Place both sides of the bread in the almonds, pressing them into the side. Put the bread in the melted butter and grill until browned, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Put the finished bread on an ungreased baking sheet. Melt the rest of the butter in the skillet and repeat with remaining bread slices. Bake the grilled bread in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until cooked through.
- If desired, heat the honey mixture on the stove top or in the microwave. Serve the french toast slices with a dollop of ricotta and the honey.
This post was developed in partnership with the lovely people at The National Honey Board. As always, all opinions are my own.ย
I love french toast! I usually choose it before other breakfast carbs and next time I’m topping it with honey. Actually I’m just making this because it sounds so incredible!
I feel exactly the way you always have about French toast but this recipe makes me want to make French toast right this minute! Bravo.
The almonds make all the difference! Just say no to soggy french toast!
I LOVE honey on French toast or pancakes – it adds so much flavor. This recipe is amazing. I love everything about it!
YES! French toast is at the bottom of my breakfast list too, for exactly the reason you mentioned. It’s usually just all soggy, no texture whatsoever. And I’m BIG into texture with food. The almond crust is genius, and I’m willing to give French toast one last try with this recipe. I already know I’m going to love it!
I’m with you on French toast not being my favorite. I think this recipe will change my mind!
I hope so! It’s all about the crunch!
I double puffy heart this recipe. Those almonds. That ricotta. Everything!