French Toast with Berry Butters

Name: French Toast with Berry Butters
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H10M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup blackberries; 1/2 cup raspberries; 1 loaf crusty bread, such as baguette, French loaf, etc.; 4 whole egg yolks; 2 cups half-and-half; 1 tablespoon sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; Zest of 1 lemon; Butter, for frying; Sifted powdered sugar, for serving, optional; Maple syrup, warm, for serving

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Level: Easy
Total: 25 min

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 10 min

Yield: 8 servings

Level: Easy
Total: 25 min

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 10 min

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Berry Butters:

1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup blackberries

1/2 cup raspberries

French Toast:

1 loaf crusty bread, such as baguette, French loaf, etc.

4 whole egg yolks

2 cups half-and-half

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Zest of 1 lemon

Butter, for frying

Sifted powdered sugar, for serving, optional

Maple syrup, warm, for serving

Directions

For the berry butters: In separate batches, whip 2 sticks butter on high in the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment. Switch to the paddle attachment. Add the blackberries. Turn the mixer to low for only about 5 seconds, just long enough for the berries to begin to mix in and break up, but not so long that it turns into a mess. Clean the mixer bowl and attachments and repeat with the remaining 2 sticks butter and the raspberries.
With each batch, turn the berry butter out onto a long sheet of plastic wrap set over a long sheet of foil. First seal the plastic wrap around the cylinder, and then secure the foil around it. Twist the ends, gradually applying more pressure as you twist in order to make the cylinder taut. Once it's a nice, neat cylinder of foil, place into the freezer for 30 minutes in order to quickly solidify it. Then transfer to the fridge until you're ready to use. The butter should be very firm.
For the French toast: Cut the bread into slices 1/2-inch thick. In a dish, whisk the egg yolks with the half-and-half, sugar, vanilla and lemon zest. Dip the bread slices in the egg mixture, coating both sides. Then remove from the dish and set aside. Repeat until all the bread is coated.
Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Sizzle some butter in the skillet when hot. Cook the French toast on both sides until golden brown, being careful not to burn. Remove the berry butters from the fridge. Unwrap one end and cut some slices. Lay one slice onto each serving of French toast. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired, and then drizzle with maple syrup.