Chocolate French Toast (Easy Brunch Recipe with Candied Bacon)

5 from 2 votes

Chocolate French Toast (Easy Brunch Recipe with Candied Bacon)

This chocolate French toast is rich, lightly sweet, and easy enough for any weekend breakfast or brunch. For the best flow, start the candied bacon first so it has time to crisp and cool while you prepare the French toast. Serve it all together with fresh fruit, syrup, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Prep Time25

Cook Time8

Total Time33

Course: Breakfast

Servings: slices

Calories: 196kcal

Author: Sally Humeniuk

Ingredients

For the Candied Bacon:

12 slices bacon
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp maple syrup

For the French toast

⅔ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder natural or Dutch processed
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp table salt
1 ¼ cup whole milk
4 large eggs
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 loaf challah bread or any loaf bread sliced into ¾-inch slices, about 8 slices
butter for frying

Topping options

Instructions

Candied Bacon:

Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
In a bowl, mix brown sugar, rice vinegar, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and black pepper.
½ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp maple syrup, freshly ground black pepper
Toss bacon in the mixture until coated.
12 slices bacon
Arrange bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake 18–22 minutes, until caramelized.
Let cool, then chop or crumble.

Chocolate French Toast-

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
⅔ cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ¼ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp table salt
Add milk, eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
1 ¼ cup whole milk, 4 large eggs, 1 Tbsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Pour mixture into a shallow dish or pan.
Dip bread slices into the mixture, turning to coat both sides. Let soak 5–10 minutes (longer for deeper chocolate flavor).
1 loaf challah bread or any loaf bread sliced into ¾-inch slices,
Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat and add butter.
butter for frying
Cook bread slices 3–4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.
Serve immediately with desired toppings.

Topping options:

Serve with the candied bacon and any French Toast toppings you like.
maple syrup, fresh strawberries, confectioners' sugar

Notes

Notes & Tips

Don’t over soak thinner bread—it can fall apart
Use medium heat so the chocolate batter doesn’t burn
Add butter between batches for best browning
For less sweetness, reduce or skip sugar in batter
Candied bacon can be made ahead and stored in the fridge

Nutrition