This decadent chocolate French toast is a new spin on a classic breakfast favorite. Thick slices of brioche bread are stuffed with pieces of chocolate and mini marshmallows before being soaked in a rich, chocolatey egg custard. The tender, moist bread is fried in butter, giving it a toasted golden brown crust. The chocolate and marshmallows melt into a delectable swirl inside the bread, and topping the finished French toast with melted chocolate and whipped cream makes this breakfast truly divine– who doesn’t want chocolate for breakfast?
This hot chocolate French toast recipe is as easy to make as it is delicious to enjoy. It only needs a few simple ingredients, and the whole thing comes together super quickly. Using a non-stick pan makes for a really easy clean-up, too. This French toast with chocolate chips is deceptively elegant– a beautiful and unique dish that is easy to make and so yummy to eat with friends.
If you can’t get enough chocolate for breakfast, I have tons more recipes to satisfy your chocolate craving. Nutella French toast is rich, sweet, and perfect for special occasions. If you’re a pancake person, I’ve got you covered with these Nutella-stuffed mini pancakes. These chocolate-filled donuts are another perfect chocolate treat to enjoy at breakfast or brunch. Of course, you’ll want a drink with your brunch – this thick, incredible Italian hot chocolate is the ultimate treat to enjoy on a chilly morning.
Why You’ll Love Chocolate French Toast
- So easy: This recipe for cocoa French toast is so simple to put together with a really easy method and just a few ingredients.
- Rich and chocolatey: This French toast has chocolate stuffed inside of it, in the egg custard, and drizzled over the top of the final dish – there’s tons of great chocolate flavor and rich, indulgent custard.
- Perfect for brunch: Chocolate-stuffed French toast is a seriously amazing breakfast dish that is perfect for sharing at an elegant brunch.
Ingredients for Chocolate French Toast
- Egg bread (Challah or Brioche): Egg bread is rich and chewy, and is the perfect base to build this chocolatey French toast.
- Mini Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows melt inside the French toast giving it a sweet and sticky filling that perfectly compliments the melted chocolate.
- Milk or Dark Chocolate Squares: Choose your preference, whether you want a sweeter milk chocolate or a more intense dark chocolate flavor. You can also use chocolate chips.
- Hot Chocolate: Instead of the traditional milk, this French toast recipe uses hot chocolate to infuse even more chocolatey flavor into the bread. You can use a packet of hot chocolate mix, but it’s even better if you make your own following this recipe.
- Eggs: Eggs are essential to French toast and make the inside of the bread moist and custardy.
- Unsalted Butter: Used to fry the French toast to golden perfection.
- Whipped Cream: A velvety topping that balances the richness of the chocolate. You can use whipped cream from a can, or easily make your own.
- Grated Milk or Dark Chocolate: A sprinkling of grated chocolate adds a final touch of elegance to your creation.
Helpful Tools
How to Make Chocolate French Toast
Step 1: Make the custard.
Pour the hot chocolate and eggs into a shallow dish and whisk together to combine thoroughly.
Step 2: Stuff the bread.
Slice the egg bread into thick slices. Cut a slit into the side of each piece of bread to form a pocket. Fill the pockets with mini marshmallows and chocolate squares or chips. Make sure not to over-stuff the pockets and tear the bread.
Step 3: Soak the bread.
Place the bread into the dish and soak on each side for 5 minutes.
Step 4: Cook the French toast.
Melt some butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the French toast on each side until golden brown and crisp. The custard mixture is quite sugary, so make sure to check the toast often to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Once the toast is golden brown, turn off the heat, cover the pan with a lid, and allow the French toast to steam in the residual heat to ensure the chocolate and marshmallows melt.
Step 5: Top and serve the French toast.
To serve, top the toast with melted chocolate, whipped cream, and grated chocolate. Enjoy as is, or top with fresh berries and sliced bananas.
Substitutions for Chocolate French Toast
Egg bread: Challah or brioche is my first choice for this recipe, but you can use sourdough or plain white bread if you prefer.
Hot chocolate – If you don’t have a hot chocolate mix, you can use a mixture of chocolate syrup and milk instead.
Recipe Variations
- Add a sprinkle of crushed toasted nuts like almonds or hazelnuts to the filling for a delightful crunch.
- Top your French toast with a handful of fresh berries or a spoonful of raspberry jam for a fruity twist.
Tips for Making Perfect Chocolate French Toast
- Don’t overstuff the bread pockets with marshmallows and chocolate; you want them to melt and blend beautifully with each bite.
- When frying the French toast, keep an eye on the heat to avoid burning the sugar in the mixture. The residual heat from covering the pan will finish the cooking process, leaving your French toast perfectly cooked.
- For an even richer experience, serve the French toast with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, creating a divine medley of flavors.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve the French toast with fresh fruit or garnish it with some beautiful strawberry roses. It would be excellent as part of a brunch spread along with eggs, bacon or ham, and a perfect homemade latte.
Storage Directions
In the fridge – Store any leftover Chocolate French Toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
In the freezer – If you find yourself with extra servings, you can freeze them individually in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to one month. To save space, freeze the slices individually spread out on a rimmed baking sheet and transfer them to a bag or container once they are frozen solid.
How to reheat – To reheat, simply pop the French toast in the oven ay 350° until warmed through, and the chocolate is delightfully gooey again.
FAQ
Chocolate French toast makes for a delightful after-dinner treat. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for maximum decadent enjoyment.
Yes, just use any gluten-free bread of your choice. Keep in mind that gluten-free breads tend to be more crumbly and they might need to soak for longer or shorter than regular bread, so keep an eye on things while you soak the toast.
Absolutely! Get creative and experiment with your favorite fillings like peanut butter, Nutella, or even sliced fruits like strawberries or bananas. You could also put in sprinkles, M&Ms, or chopped candy bars like Snickers or Milky Way.
Other French Toast Recipes to Try
My favorite banana bread recipe turned into french toast, topped with caramelized bananas!
This french toast is rolled in cinnamon sugar before being topped with a mountain of fresh berries.
A savory take on french toast by stuffing it with ham and cheese!
For all you matcha lovers! This french toast is soaked in a matcha latte and topped with fresh cream and berries.
Chocolate French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf egg bread
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 6 milk or dark chocolate squares
- 1 cup hot chocolate
- 3 eggs
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Topping
- melted milk or dark chocolate
- freshly whipped cream
- milk or dark chocolate grated
Instructions
- Slice the egg bread into six 2-3 inch-thick slices, then slice off the crusts. Slice a slit into the side of each piece of bread, making pockets.
- Fill the pockets with a couple mini marshmallows, followed by one chocolate square, then followed by some more mini marshmallows, just to seal the chocolate inside the bread. Make sure to not over-stuff the pockets and tear the bread.
- Pour the hot chocolate and 3 eggs into a shallow dish and whisk together. Place the bread into the dish and soak on each side for 5 minutes.
- Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the bread on each side for about 3-4 minutes. The mixture is quite sugary, so make sure to check to see if the sugar is caramelizing too quickly or burning. Then turn off the heat, cover the pan with a lid, and allow the French toast to steam in the residual heat for 5 minutes.
- To serve, top with some melted chocolate, freshly whipped cream and grated chocolate and enjoy!