brioche french toast with blueberry sauce and maple syrup

I’ve made it a mission, each week, to make myself a “nice breakfast.” You know, anything that doesn’t involve pushing a slice of bread into the toaster or grabbing a sad granola bar, ha. I think millennials call it romanticizing your life or something. For me, it’s just doing a little bit more and making a meal with special touches. And since breakfast is the area that I do that the least in, that’s why I chose it. This french toast recipe is deeelish and oh so very “nice.”

⇢ These ricotta pancakes, my strawberry biscuits, and most definitely these southern biscuits and sausage gravy are some of my favorites, too.

french toast with blueberry sauce and creme fraiche on plate

Brioche French Toast with Blueberry Compote & Crème Fraîche 🫐 ☁️

We’ve got buttery, pastry-like brioche bread that soaks in a flavorful custard and is pan-fried until golden brown. What makes this french toast recipe extra special is the homemade blueberry compote (blueberry sauce) + the fresh creamy topping aka crème fraîche. The contrast in flavors are what makes this recipe sing: rich french toast, tart and sweet blueberry sauce, and a tang of creaminess. It’s decadent, bright on the palate, and so easy to bring together!

ingredients for brioche french toast in bowls

Ingredient Spotlight: Brioche!

Listen, brioche is high-key one of my top choices when it comes to bread. I love everything about it, especially when it comes to using it for french toast. Brioche is a classic French bread that is enriched with a high egg and butter content- hence its rich golden color. It has a buttery-soft texture that’s reminiscent of a pastry and it’s got a lightly sweet taste to it. When I tell you brioche french toast is where it’s at, yes indeed 👌🏾.

⇢ Don’t miss my brioche stuffed doughnuts if you’re a brioche fanatic!

brioche french toast in skillet

Let’s Talk About That Blueberry Compote

Blueberry compote is a really fancy term that translates to cooked blueberry sauce. It’s wildly simple to bring together in a saucepan, breaking the bluebs down just until tender and saucy. The all-natural, vivid color dang near sends me whenever I make a batch (💜!)….it’s equally as delicious as it looks, friends.

& Crème Fraîche: What’s That?

Great question! So, crème fraîche (pronounced: krem fresh) is a French-style cultured cream that is most similar to sour cream in America. It’s a thick cream with a tangy and velvet-like texture. It complements the brioche french toast and blueberry compote by providing a contrast in taste. The lightly sweetened crème fraîche cuts through the richness with a bit of creamy, tanginess.

This entire situation is such a delightful treat to indulge in if you’re in the mood for something extra delicious for breakfast/brunch! I’d say it’s perfect for weekends-in, holiday mornings, and everything in between ☺️.

brioche french toast with blueberry sauce and cream

Tips + Tricks, FAQs & More

  • Can I make the toppings in advance?: Absolutely! You can prep both toppings 2-3 days in advance. After prepping, just make sure to keep them stored inside of an airtight container in the fridge. I like to set the crème fraîche out on the counter to serve at room temperature. The blueberry compote can be heated on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. And psst, leftover blueb compote is so good as a syrup-y addition to an iced matcha latte…with it, it kinda tastes like a fruity pebbles drink!
  • Can I use other bread?: Sure thing, brioche is the best, but you can definitely substitute with sliced challah, too!
  • Cooking at the right temp: Cook french toast over medium to medium-low, you want to prevent the french toast from cooking too fast and burning.
  • How to keep french toast warm? If you’re not serving them right away, place the brioche french toast onto a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack (for air flow/circulation) and keep warm in the oven at 200°F until ready to serve.