✔ Updated · step photos, an alcohol-free version and the soggy-center fix
Baileys French toast is thick brioche soaked in an Irish cream custard and fried golden in butter, a cozy grown-up brunch for holiday mornings. It contains alcohol, so I've included an alcohol-free swap for the kids' plates.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Use bread that's a day or two old. Fresh bread soaks up the custard and goes soggy; slightly stale brioche drinks it in and still holds its shape.
Why You'll Love Baileys French Toast
- Creamy and rich, with a sweet Irish cream, vanilla and cinnamon custard.
- Crisp, golden edges, and a soft, custardy middle that's fully set.
- A holiday brunch treat, special enough for Christmas morning, easy enough for any weekend.
Alcohol-Free Version (for Kids and Non-Drinkers)
The recipe card version contains alcohol and is for adults of legal drinking age. For everyone else, swap the Baileys for 1/2 cup Irish cream-flavored coffee creamer. It gives the same sweet, vanilla-caramel flavor with no alcohol.
On holiday mornings I mix two bowls of custard and keep the kids' batch on its own side of the griddle, so nothing gets mixed up.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- The alcohol doesn't all cook off. A quick pan-fry leaves a good share of the alcohol in the toast. Serve it to adults of legal drinking age only, and see the alcohol-free version below for everyone else.
- Thick bread, quick dip. About 3/4 inch thick and 10 seconds per side is my sweet spot. Long soaks give you a soggy middle that never sets.
- Medium heat, not high. The sugar in Baileys browns fast. On high heat the outside burns before the eggs in the center cook through.
- Check the middle. Press the center of a slice: it should spring back, with no wet custard. If you have a thermometer, the center should read 160°F.
- Wipe the pan between batches. Browned bits of custard burn and stick to the next slices. A quick wipe with a paper towel and fresh butter fixes it.
Baileys French Toast
4
servings (2 slices each)10
minutes20
minutes430
kcal30
minutesBaileys French toast for grown-ups: thick slices of brioche or challah soaked in a custard of eggs, Baileys Irish Cream, milk, vanilla and cinnamon, then pan-fried in butter until golden and set in the middle. Contains alcohol. Serves 4.
Ingredients
4 large eggs
1/2 cup Baileys Irish Cream liqueur
1/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch fine salt
8 thick slices brioche or challah (about 3/4 inch), slightly stale
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, for the pan
to taste powdered sugar, berries and maple syrup, to serve
Directions
- Heat the oven to 200°F and set a wire rack on a baking sheet inside to keep the cooked slices warm.
- Whisk the eggs, Baileys, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a shallow dish until completely smooth, with no streaks of egg white.
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat until it foams.
- Dip 2 or 3 slices of bread in the custard for about 10 seconds per side, letting the excess drip off.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden and the center is set, with no wet custard when you press it. Move to the warm oven.
- Repeat with the remaining butter, bread and custard. Serve hot with a dusting of powdered sugar, berries and maple syrup.
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More French Toast and Baileys Treats
Want more brunch ideas? Here's my guide to the best bread for French toast, plus copycat Denny's French toast and French toast roll-ups. If you've got Baileys left over, make my Baileys hot chocolate or try one of these Baileys cocktails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Baileys French toast have alcohol in it?
Yes. Baileys Irish Cream is about 17% alcohol, and a few minutes of pan-frying doesn't cook it all off. Treat this as an adults-only brunch for people of legal drinking age, and make the alcohol-free version for kids, anyone pregnant or anyone not drinking.
How do I make it without alcohol?
Swap the Baileys for 1/2 cup Irish cream-flavored coffee creamer, or use 1/2 cup half-and-half plus 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cocoa powder and an extra 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Everything else stays the same.
What's the best bread for Baileys French toast?
Thick-sliced brioche or challah, a day or two old. Both are rich enough to match the creamy custard and sturdy enough to soak without falling apart. Thick Texas toast works too.
Can I make it ahead?
Cook the French toast, cool it on a rack and freeze in a single layer, then bag it for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a 375°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or in the toaster until hot and crisp.
What should I serve with it?
Fresh berries, maple syrup and a little whipped cream are my favorites. Crispy bacon or sausage balances the sweetness, and coffee (with an optional splash of Baileys for the grown-ups) finishes the brunch.
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