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Ahavat Ava’s Sourdough Challah French Toast

From the kitchen

🍞Ahavat Ava’s Sourdough Challah French Toast

Prep 5 min◆ Cook 6–8 min per batch

Every Sunday, the leftover challah from Shabbat gets a second life. Golden on the outside. Soft and custardy on the inside. Finished with warm maple syrup and a little butter. It’s become one of our favorite little traditions—and honestly, I think French toast tastes even better when it’s made with yesterday’s challah. 🤍

Ingredients

  • 8–10 slices day-old sourdough challah
  • 2 eggs
  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1½ tsp Ceylon cinnamon
  • Pinch of Celtic sea salt
  • Butter, for the pan
  • Pure maple syrup, for serving

Instructions

  1. 1

    Slice the challah — Thick slices are the secret. About ¾–1 inch thick gives you the perfect soft center.

  2. 2

    Make the custard — In a shallow bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt until smooth.

  3. 3

    Soak the challah — Dip each slice into the custard for about 15–20 seconds per side. You want it soaked—but not falling apart.

  4. 4

    Cook low & slow — Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook each slice for 3–4 minutes per side, until deeply golden with lightly crisp edges and a soft, custardy middle.

  5. 5

    Serve immediately — Top with warm maple syrup, a little butter, fresh berries, powdered sugar if you’d like, and enjoy while it’s still warm.

Ava's Little Touches 🤍

  • ✦Day-old challah makes the best French toast. It soaks up all the custard without getting soggy.
  • ✦If you’re using my cinnamon sugar chocolate chip sourdough challah, you honestly don’t need anything fancy. The melted chocolate and cinnamon do all the work.
  • ✦Don’t rush the pan. Medium-low heat gives you that perfectly golden crust while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
  • ✦Sunday mornings in our house are for French toast. It’s my favorite way to honor leftover challah because you’re not allowed to throw it away, and somehow it tastes even better the next day.
  • ✦Made with love, always. 🤍🍞🍁

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