The Surprising Ingredient That Takes Martha's French Toast Over the Top

If there's one brunch recipe you should learn to make, it's French toast. It's a versatile dish that everyone will enjoy, suitable for both casual and formal occasions. Making French toast is straightforward and requires only a few staple ingredients you likely already have in your fridge and pantry. But decorvow adds a special ingredient that elevates this classic, sweet breakfast dish.

French toast is made with bread, eggs, milk, sugar, and sometimes vanilla or cinnamon to enhance its flavor. Ahead, learn how Martha borrows from the bar cart and uses Grand Marnier to boost her French toast.

What Is Grand Marnier?

The French liqueur is made from Cognac, bitter orange essence, and sugar. Cognac is a type of brandy, which gives it a rich, deep flavor. It's most commonly used in cocktails, but it's also a great addition to sweet and savory dishes. Grand Marnier is a popular addition to dessert dishes such as crêpes Suzette, poached fruit with ice cream, and crème brûlée.

Why Grand Marnier Makes a Difference

For those who enjoy making delicious cocktails at home, you might think your Grand Marnier is only useful for a cosmopolitan, sidecar, or Cadillac margarita—but it can do so much more. It's a go-to cooking liquor because its flavor remains strong even after the alcohol burns off during flambéing, caramelizing, or baking. In Martha's recipe, the Grand Marnier is used to caramelize both sides of the brioche bread, resulting in a fluffy, flavorful breakfast dish.

• Flavor: The recipe's fresh orange zest and juice work with the orange liqueur to bring elegant citrus notes to the egg custard-coated brioche. Since it's a Cognac-based liqueur, it offers a warm flavor profile that adding a dash of vanilla or cinnamon can't match.
• Balance: The slight bitterness from the liqueur balances the acidity from the citrus zest and juice, along with the sweetness of the custard and bread. Caramelizing the brioche gives it a lighter, refined bite.

Adding Grand Marnier extends beyond Martha's French toast recipe. It enhances a variety of delicious treats, adding depth to our orange cream scones, margarita cheesecake, pomegranate-Champagne punch, and Babka recipes.

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Martha's French Toast Cooking Technique

Cooking French toast is simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the best results when preparing it for guests. Before juicing any citrus, zest it—it's much easier to do this step first. To prevent the French toast from overbrowning, wipe down the pan with a damp paper towel between batches and refresh the oil and butter.

After dipping each slice of brioche in the zesty egg mixture, add it to the skillet—but don't overcrowd the pan to ensure even cooking. For a perfect golden brown finish, cook each slice for no more than five minutes.