Rabanada (Brazilian-Style French Toast)

Name: Rabanada (Brazilian-Style French Toast)
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 medium sweet or sourdough baguette; 3 large eggs; 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk; 6 tablespoons whole milk; 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla bean:vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon Salt:fine salt; 1/2 cup Sugar:granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon and cassia:ground cinnamon; Vegetable oil, for frying

French Toast Christmas Brazilian Breakfast Brunch Make Ahead Holidays Fried Food Easy

Save (358)

Rate

4 to 6 servings Easy

Total: 1 hr, plus soaking time Active: 15 mins

12 Ratings

Ingredients (10)

1 medium sweet or sourdough baguette
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
6 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Vegetable oil, for frying

Try Amazon Fresh

Nutritional Information

Calories555
Fat31.63g
Saturated fat6.3g
Trans fat0.18g
Carbs59.83g
Fiber0.64g
Sugar57.65g
Protein10.5g
Cholesterol161.26mg
Sodium296.78mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (4 servings) Powered by

Get fresh food news delivered to your inbox

Rabanada usually makes an appearance on the Brazilian breakfast table around Christmastime, but it’s so delicious we whip it up all year long. Most recipes call for the bread to be soaked briefly, fried, and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Our version sits overnight before frying to allow the custard to really soak in. Then, like a churro, we completely cover it in a cinnamon-cocoa-sugar mixture. Team this with our Marinated Mango or Grapefruit Spike, and you’re set for Sunday brunch.

What to buy: Use unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe.

We prefer the custardy texture that results from using a narrow (about 2 inches wide) baguette rather than a thicker one; however any size baguette will work.

Game plan: Frying the bread for 8 to 10 minutes makes for a crispy outside and a custardy interior, but go ahead and adjust the cooking time to your French toast preferences.

This recipe was featured as part of our Father’s Day Breakfast menu.

by Aida Mollenkamp

Tips for Christmas

Tip

Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

1 of 3

Next: What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Tip

What Does the Name 'Christmas' Mean and What Is the Meaning of Christmas?

Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.

2 of 3

Next: How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Tip

How Can We Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.

3 of 3

Next: Why Do We Celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25?

Instructions

1Cut baguette on the bias into 1-inch-thick slices (you should have about 16 slices).
2Place eggs, condensed milk, whole milk, vanilla extract, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk until evenly combined. Pour mixture into a shallow dish that will snugly hold all of the bread (such as a glass baking dish or a large pie plate) and add baguette slices. Turn slices to coat well in the mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until egg mixture is almost completely absorbed, at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
3Place sugar, cocoa powder, and cinnamon in a small bowl and mix until evenly distributed; set aside.
4When the bread has finished soaking, fill a medium pot with oil to a depth of 2 inches. Heat over medium heat until the oil registers 330°F on a deep-fat thermometer. Place reserved cinnamon-cocoa mixture on a plate and set aside. Line another plate with paper towels and set aside.
5Remove bread slices from the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Place 4 to 6 pieces of bread in the hot oil (being sure not to overcrowd the pot). Fry until bread slices are dark golden brown on one side, about 4 to 5 minutes. (You’ll want the oil to maintain a temperature of 325°F while the bread is frying; adjust the heat as necessary to achieve this.) Flip and fry another 4 to 5 minutes. Remove to the paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
6While still hot, dredge French toast in the cinnamon-cocoa mixture and shake off any excess. Repeat the frying process with the remaining bread slices and serve.

Load Comments

Recommended from Chowhound

What's the Difference? Ale vs. Lager

(04:33)

Video from Food IQ

What's the difference between an ale and a lager? To find out, we visited Boomtown Brewery in Los Angeles, and met with Production Manager, Benjamin Turkel, to learn about the similarities and differences between the two beers. Benjamin took us through the different style points and production methods to learn ultimately what separates the two styles of brews.