Brown Butter Apple French Toast

Serves 4

Brown Butter Apples

4 Tbsp unsalted butter
3 medium apples, peeled, cored and sliced
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Continue cooking the butter, stirring frequently, until it begins to foam and the milk solids turn golden brown and smell nutty. Add the sliced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt.

Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender but still hold their shape.

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Keep warm while preparing the French toast.

French Toast Custard

4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
2 Tbsp heavy cream
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Pinch of kosher salt

Add the eggs to a shallow bowl and whisk until combined.

Add the milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

Whisk until smooth and well combined.

French Toast

8 thick slices brioche or challah bread
Prepared French toast custard
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more as needed

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Melt the butter in the skillet.

Dip each slice of bread into the custard, allowing it to soak for several seconds on each side. Allow excess custard to drip off before transferring the bread to the skillet.

Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Add additional butter to the skillet as needed while cooking the remaining slices.

Assemble the French Toast

Prepared French toast
Prepared brown butter apples
1/3 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped
Pure maple syrup
Pecans to top, optional

Place two slices of French toast on each plate. Spoon the warm brown butter apples generously over the top. Sprinkle with toasted pecans. Drizzle with warm maple syrup. Finish with pecans, if desired.

Serve immediately.