Rabanada (Brazilian French Toast)

Brazilian French Toast (rabanada) is a dessert or afternoon snack soaked in flavored milk, coated in beaten eggs, fried, and sprinkled with sugar-cinnamon.

Cuisine: Brazilian, Latin American, Vegetarian

Servings: 24 rabanadas

Prep Time  20 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Ingredients

• 24 slices stale French baguette (about 1½ baguette) , ¾-inch thick
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ to ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs , lightly beaten and homogeneous
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• Honey , maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

1. Line a large baking sheet with a double layer of paper towel. Set aside.
2. Divide bread slices between 2 large, shallow baking dishes, arranging them in one single layer each. In a jar or pitcher, mix well the milk, vanilla, and sugar. Pour milk mixture over the bread slices, distributing the liquid evenly over all the slices. Let bread slices soak for about 20 minutes, allowing it to soak up as much of the milk mixture as possible.
3. In a large heavy skillet, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high until oil is hot enough that it sizzles.
4. By hand, pick up each one of the milk-soaked bread slices (handling it gently) and dip it into the beaten eggs, coating both sides and allowing the excess to drip back into the egg bowl. Place the bread into the hot oil, and cook until well-browned on one side, about 1 to 1½ minute. Flip the bread and cook until both sides are golden brown. Carefully transfer rabanadas to the sheet lined with paper towels.
5. Repeat with remaining slices of bread, cooking several simultaneously if the skillet is large enough. NOTE: Cook in batches and do not overcrowd the pan! You may have to lower the heat a bit for the next batches or cook slices in less time since temperature will be higher.
6. In a medium bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon together. Dredge all sides of the bread slices into mixture. Any excess cooked eggs threads can be removed before dredging bread slices into the sugar cinnamon mixture.
7. Brazilian French toast can be served either warm or at room temperature, by itself or drizzled with honey or maple syrup. I garnished mine with berries. In Brazil, it is served as a Christmas dessert or an afternoon snack, but it can be enjoyed any time of the year!

 source:www.196flavors.com