Véronique's French Toast

I'm always reluctant to order french toast at brunch because I've never found one that tastes quite as good as Veronique's French Toast! Véronique was my mom's good friend from France who taught her how to make french toast the french way years ago. Since then, it became a staple of Sundays mornings. The recipe never had formal measurements but I adapted it into one with measurements and instructions so you can recreate it! Bon Appétit.

Makes 6-7 French Toast slices.

Ingredients:

• White Sandwich bread (I like Farmhouse Hearty white)
• 6 eggs
• 4 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. powdered cinnamon
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups of milk
• Butter
• Maple Syrup
• Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries (garnish)
• powdered sugar (garnish) 

Instructions:

1. Start by cracking the eggs into a mixing bowl. Stir in the brown sugar, powdered cinnamon, vanilla extract and milk, and mix until thoroughly combined.
2. Pour about 2 cups of the mixture into a pie dish (or any shallow dish). Place 1 slice of sandwich bread directly into the liquid batter and using a fork, poke holes in each of the corners of the bread and areas closest to the crust. A few pokes in the middle of the sandwich slice is also good idea.
3. Next, pour 1/4 cup of batter over the slice of bread so that it is covered and submerged in the liquid. Leave it there to soak for up to 3 minutes or until a fork very easily penetrates the bread, especially in the four corners where you poked holes.
4. Using a wide spatula, lift the bread carefully out of the batter (should be heavy) and keep it lying flat. Slide or flip it onto a hot skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. 
5. Serve with fruit, powdered sugar and maple syrup.