Quick + Easy Chocolate Banana French Toast – Inspired by the Gilmore Girls

Two years ago, Darren gave me Eat Like a Gilmore: The Unofficial Cookbook for Fans of Gilmore Girls for Christmas. Ever since, I’ve been whipping up orders from Luke’s Diner, cranking out delectable dishes from Sookie’s kitchen, enjoying meals from Emily’s house, and serving town favorites. As an avid breakfast lover, one of my top picks from the cookbook is the French Toast attributed to Luke’s Diner. It’s a foolproof recipe for delicious French Toast in no time at all. I add my own spin on it with chocolate chips and banana, too. I’ve included everything you need to know to enjoy this breakfast classic below!

A few additional notes before we get started… One of the most important elements for the perfect French Toast is the bread. I use Pepperidge Farms Farmhouse Hearty White Bread, a thicker variety than your average white bread – great for absorbing the egg mixture.

I’m also a fan of adding a dash of cinnamon to the recipe. The cookbook advises using white, egg, or cinnamon bread. As a compromise, I use white bread and add a pinch of cinnamon directly to the egg mixture. King Arthur Flour Vietnamese Cinnamon provides an incredible, bold flavor!

Lastly, when adding chocolate to the recipe, I tend to go with semi-sweet morsels. The taste just feels slightly more unique than milk or dark, but you can feel free to use your favorite!

Ingredients (Makes 2 Servings):

• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup of milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
• A dash of cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 4 bread slices
• 4 tablespoons of semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 2 ripe bananas
• Maple syrup for serving

Directions:

• Crack eggs into a shallow bowl and whisk vigorously until yolks and whites are completely combined. Add milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, and continue mixing until combined.
• In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
• One at a time, dip 2 pieces of bread into egg batter, turning once, so each side is fully coated. Hold the battered piece over the bowl for a few seconds, so excess batter can drip off.
• Place the pieces in the frying pan and cook for 2 minutes. Use a spatula to flip both pieces and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes, until bread is golden brown and not mushy.
• Remove from pan and place on a plate. Sprinkle one heaping tablespoon of chocolate morsels on each piece of bread while hot so they begin to melt. Cut up one banana and distribute pieces evenly between both slices.
• Repeat the process with the remaining 2 pieces of bread.
• Serve with maple syrup and enjoy!

Be sure to let me know if you end up giving this recipe a try! Leave a comment below or tag me in a photo on your Instagram Story (@lifestyledbysammy). Wishing you a yummy breakfast!