Ultimate Blackstone Amaretto French Toast Recipe: A Gourmet Texas Toast Delight for Breakfast & Brunch

Prepare to elevate your breakfast or brunch experience with this incredible Blackstone Amaretto French Toast. Featuring the rich, sweet, and nutty flavor of amaretto liqueur infused into thick slices of Texas toast, this recipe promises a truly indulgent start to your day. Whether you’re cooking on a versatile Blackstone griddle or a traditional stovetop, you’ll achieve perfectly fluffy, golden-brown French toast with crispy edges and a buttery finish. This easy-to-follow recipe is not just for special occasions; it’s a unique and delicious twist on a classic that you’ll want to make again and again. Plus, it’s perfect for making ahead and freezing, ensuring a gourmet breakfast is always within reach.

If you love cooking outdoors, don’t miss exploring all my Grill and Griddle recipes for more delicious ideas.

Why This Amaretto French Toast Recipe Is a Must-Try

There’s something inherently comforting about a classic French toast, but this Amaretto French Toast takes comfort food to an entirely new level of sophistication. Much like adding a splash of vanilla extract to my Cinnamon Applesauce Pancakes or any beloved French toast recipe for that “special touch,” incorporating amaretto transforms the flavor profile in an unforgettable way. The sweet almond notes from the amaretto don’t just complement the traditional custard base; they elevate it, infusing every bite of this Texas toast French toast with an aromatic depth that is truly out of this world. It’s a game-changer, making this particular French toast so exceptionally good that it will undoubtedly become a permanent fixture in your breakfast and brunch rotation. Trust us, once you taste the rich almond essence perfectly balanced with the custardy bread, you’ll understand why we can’t stop gushing about it!

What Exactly Is Amaretto? A Culinary Delight

Amaretto is a renowned Italian liqueur celebrated for its distinct sweet almond flavor. Its name, derived from the Italian word “amaro,” meaning “bitter,” alludes to the bitter almonds or apricot kernels traditionally used in its production, which give it its characteristic taste. While it’s widely enjoyed on its own over ice or as a key ingredient in classic cocktails like the Amaretto Sour (often mixed with whiskey and lemon), amaretto’s versatility extends far beyond the bar. It’s a fantastic addition to various culinary creations, imparting a warm, nutty sweetness to desserts, coffees, and, as you’ll discover, French toast. For example, I personally love experimenting with it in a twist on the White Russian, combining it with Kahlua and vodka in milk for a delightful beverage. Its ability to add a subtle yet profound almond essence makes it an invaluable ingredient for those looking to add a gourmet touch to their dishes.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Amaretto French Toast

Crafting exceptional Blackstone Amaretto French Toast begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture:

• Four Large Eggs: These are the foundation of our rich custard. Four eggs typically provide enough mixture to generously coat a good portion of a standard loaf of Texas toast, ensuring each slice is thoroughly saturated.
• Heavy Cream: While the recipe card specifies heavy cream for maximum richness and a velvety texture, you have flexibility. Regular cream, half-and-half, or even whole milk can be used as substitutes. Keep in mind that lighter options will result in a slightly less rich custard.
• Amaretto Liqueur: The star of the show! This Italian almond-flavored liqueur infuses our French toast with its signature sweet and nutty notes, elevating a simple breakfast into a gourmet experience.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Even with the prominent amaretto, a dash of pure vanilla extract provides a warm, underlying sweetness and rounds out the overall flavor profile beautifully.
• A Pinch of Kosher Salt: Don’t skip the salt! Although this is a sweet dish, a small amount of kosher salt is crucial. It acts as a flavor enhancer, cutting through the sweetness and bringing out the complex notes of the amaretto and vanilla.
• Thick-Cut Sliced “Texas Toast” Bread: The ideal choice for this recipe. Texas toast is known for its extra thick slices, which can absorb a generous amount of custard without becoming soggy or falling apart. This results in a wonderfully fluffy interior and a sturdy, satisfying bite. You can often find pre-sliced Texas toast at major grocery stores like Walmart, or ask your local bakery for thick-cut bread. Alternatives like brioche or challah bread also work well due to their rich texture and ability to soak up the custard.
• Unsalted Butter: Essential for cooking. Butter not only prevents sticking but also imparts a crucial nutty flavor and helps create those coveted crispy, golden-brown edges that define perfect French toast. Avoid cooking spray if possible, as it doesn’t offer the same flavor or browning capabilities.
• Sliced Almonds: An optional but highly recommended garnish. A sprinkling of toasted sliced almonds adds a delightful crunch and reinforces the almond theme, enhancing both texture and flavor.
• Powdered Sugar (Confectioner’s Sugar): Perfect for a final elegant dusting. Its fine texture dissolves slightly on the warm French toast, adding a delicate sweetness and a beautiful presentation.

Crafting Your Blackstone Amaretto French Toast: Griddle & Stovetop Instructions

Whether you’re harnessing the power of an outdoor Blackstone griddle or relying on a trusty stovetop skillet, the core steps for creating this delightful Amaretto French Toast remain consistent. The key is in the preparation and proper cooking technique to achieve that perfect golden-brown exterior and custardy interior.

Step-by-Step Preparation:

First, begin by preparing your rich custard mixture. In a shallow, wide bowl (wide enough to fully submerge a slice of your Texas toast), whisk together the four large eggs, heavy cream (or your chosen alternative), amaretto liqueur, pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt. Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth. This ensures even flavor distribution in every bite.

Griddle/Stovetop Setup:

Next, it’s time to heat your cooking surface. Place your griddle, whether it’s an outdoor Blackstone or a large nonstick skillet on your stovetop, over medium heat. The goal is to reach a temperature where a drop of water sizzles instantly upon contact but isn’t so hot that it burns the bread. This medium heat allows the French toast to cook through evenly and develop a beautiful golden crust without scorching. A common mistake is using heat that’s too high, which cooks the outside too quickly while leaving the inside raw.

The Dipping and Cooking Process:

Once your cooking surface is adequately heated, shmear a generous pat of unsalted butter across it. The butter is crucial for flavor and achieving that desirable crispy, golden-brown finish. Now, carefully dip a slice of your thick-cut Texas toast into the egg mixture. Here’s a critical tip: I highly recommend using your fingers to handle and fully coat the bread. When I attempted to use a fork, the heavy, wet bread tended to tear and fall apart due to its thickness and absorbed liquid. Using your fingers allows for more control, ensuring the bread is evenly coated without damage, and helps to gently drain off any excess mixture. Place the coated bread onto the hot griddle. Repeat this process for as many slices as your griddle’s size will comfortably allow, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the surface.

Achieving Perfection:

Cook the French toast for approximately 2-4 minutes per side, or until it reaches a beautiful toasty golden-brown color on the underside. Once the first side is perfectly browned, gently flip each piece to cook the other side. This typically takes another 2-4 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when both sides are golden and the center is cooked through and fluffy. Transfer the cooked French toast to a plate and repeat the buttering, dipping, and cooking process with the remaining bread and egg mixture, adding another pat of butter as needed for each batch. If serving a crowd, you can keep the cooked French toast warm in a preheated oven at a low temperature (around 200°F / 95°C) on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.

Serving Your Masterpiece:

Finally, serve your warm, delicious French toast with a generous dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkling of sliced almonds for added texture, and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Fresh berries, whipped cream, or a side of crispy bacon can further enhance this already exquisite dish.

Frequently Asked Questions About Amaretto French Toast

Tips for Achieving Perfect French Toast Every Time

• Choose the Right Bread: While Texas toast is ideal, any thick-cut, day-old bread like brioche, challah, or even a sturdy sourdough will absorb the custard better than fresh, thin bread.
• Don’t Over-Soak (But Soak Enough): For thick bread like Texas toast, a good 15-30 seconds per side is usually enough to soak up the custard without making it too soggy. Thin bread needs less time.
• Maintain Medium Heat: Patience is key. Cooking on medium heat ensures the French toast cooks through to the center without burning the exterior.
• Butter is Best: Always use real butter for cooking French toast. It provides unmatched flavor and helps create a beautiful, golden-brown crust.
• Don’t Crowd the Griddle: Give each slice enough space to cook evenly. Overcrowding lowers the griddle temperature and can lead to uneven cooking.
• Keep Warm: If cooking in batches, place finished French toast on a wire rack set over a baking sheet in a warm oven (around 200°F / 95°C) to keep it from getting cold and soggy.

The Advantage of Cooking on a Blackstone Griddle

Using a Blackstone griddle for your Amaretto French Toast offers several advantages that enhance the cooking experience and the final product:

• Even Heat Distribution: Blackstone griddles are known for their ability to maintain consistent heat across the entire cooking surface. This means every piece of French toast, regardless of its position, will cook evenly and achieve uniform browning.
• Large Cooking Surface: The expansive surface area of a Blackstone allows you to cook multiple slices of French toast simultaneously. This is particularly beneficial when feeding a hungry family or entertaining guests, as it drastically cuts down on cooking time and ensures everyone can eat together.
• Outdoor Experience: There’s a special joy in cooking outdoors. A Blackstone griddle provides a fantastic platform for al fresco breakfast or brunch, allowing you to enjoy fresh air while preparing a delicious meal.
• Easy Cleanup: The flat, seasoned surface of a Blackstone griddle makes for relatively easy cleanup. A quick scrape and wipe are often all that’s needed once you’re done cooking.