Marc Murphy’s French Toast

Step 1

Place the bread in a 2-quart baking dish. Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until combined. Add the cream, granulated sugar, brandy and salt and whisk to combine.

Step 2

Pour the custard over the bread slices and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Flip the bread over, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours.

Step 3

Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.

Step 4

Melt the butter in a large ovenproof saute pan over medium-high heat. Lightly sprinkle one side of each slice of the soaked bread with some flour and some granulated sugar. Place the soaked bread floured-side down in the pan and cook until caramelized, about 5 minutes. Flip the bread over, sprinkle the other side with flour and granulated sugar and transfer the pan to the oven.

Step 5

Bake until the toast is cooked through, caramelized on top and custardy in the middle, 18 to 24 minutes.

Step 6

Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar if using and serve immediately with maple syrup.