Pan de Muerto French Toast
Pan de Muerto has a specific density and orange-blossom aroma that makes it better for the griddle than standard brioche. When you slice it thick and treat it like custard bread, the citrus notes deepen as the edges crisp.
Stale is mandatory
If the bread is fresh, leave it out uncovered for two hours or toast the slices briefly in a low oven; otherwise, it will turn into mush when dipped.
- cast iron skillet
- wide shallow bowl
- whisk
- tongs
What goes in.
- 1 wholepan de muerto, cut into 1-inch thick slices
- 3 largeeggs
- 1/2 cupwhole milk
- 1 tspvanilla extract
- 1/4 tspground cinnamon
- 2 tbspunsalted butter
The three-second rule
Dip each slice for exactly three seconds per side. If you soak it longer, the heavy crumb of the bread will lose its structure.
The method.
Prepare the custard
Whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon in a shallow bowl until the egg whites are fully incorporated and no streaks remain.
Dip
Briefly submerge a bread slice in the custard, flip, and move it immediately to a waiting plate. Repeat for all slices.
Sear
Melt butter in the skillet over medium-low heat. Once the foam subsides, place the slices in the pan. Don't crowd them.
Finish
Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. You are looking for a deep, dark amber color on the crust without burning the sugar on the bread's exterior.
Other turns to take.
Citrus Infused
Add a teaspoon of fresh orange zest to the egg mixture to amplify the bread's natural orange blossom flavor.
Spiced Cocoa
Whisk a teaspoon of cocoa powder into the custard for a darker, earthier profile.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Serve immediately while the sugar on the crust is still brittle.
Keep cooked slices on a wire rack inside a warm oven so they don't steam and soften while you finish the batch.
Avoid high heat; the sugar already present in the pan de muerto burns faster than the bread browns.
The ones that keep coming up.
Can I use pan de muerto with anise seeds?
Yes, the slight licorice note from anise pairs well with the creamy custard.
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