Portuguese Christmas French Toast with Egg Yolk Custard

Neuza Costa

16 December, 2025

French toast is a traditional Christmas dessert.
Topped with egg yolk custard, it becomes even more delicious.
If you like, you can add a splash of Port wine to the milk for extra flavour.

Ingredients

• 8 slices of day-old bread, about 1 cm (0.4 inches) thick
• 6 egg whites
• Warm milk, as needed
• 180 ml (¾ cup) water
• 250 g (8.8 oz) sugar
• 1 strip of lemon peel
• 6 egg yolks, beaten
• Ground cinnamon, to taste
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. 1
   Whip the egg whites until stiff and set them aside on a plate.

   Mark as done
2. 2
   Soak the bread slices in warm milk, just enough to soften them.
   Let the excess milk drain, then coat the slices with the egg whites.

   Mark as done
3. 3
   Fry them in hot oil on both sides until golden.
   Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels, then move them to a serving dish.

   Mark as done
4. 4
   For the egg yolk custard, place the water, sugar, and lemon peel in a small pot.
   Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes.

   Mark as done
5. 5
   Turn off the heat, remove the lemon peel, and let it cool slightly.
   Add the egg yolks to the syrup and mix very well.

   Mark as done
6. 6
   Return to low heat, stirring constantly until it just begins to boil.
   Turn off the heat immediately.

   Mark as done
7. 7
   Serve the French toast drizzled with the egg yolk custard and sprinkled with cinnamon.

   Mark as done

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