Hawaiian French Toast, a perfectly simple breakfast or brunch idea for the family, was a hit in the bright morning light of New Year’s Day. We had already devoured our traditional Healthy New Year’s Black-Eyed Peas after the champagne toast at midnight a few hours ago. We could have more of them for brunch, but I think the kids would be disappointed. So, a bright, flavorful idea from an IHOP visit with my grandson about a month ago was the inspiration. They had started to serve French toast using the King’s Hawaiian brand rolls and I thought I would eventually try these! The day finally came. I had a package leftover from our Christmas party that needed to be used. Along with strawberry syrup made with some strawberries picked last May and froze, this would surely become a favorite!
The spices and orange zest were combined before adding to the egg/milk mixture. I read somewhere that if you mix the spices with the sugar before blending it in, the spices will be dispersed better throughout the mix. It worked! There were no large clumps of cinnamon floating that needed to be broken up. What a great idea!
The cooled butter is mixed with a slightly warmed egg mixture so the butter won’t solidify. I warm the egg mixture for about 20-25 seconds in the microwve. That’s long enough without cooking the eggs and the butter blends evenly throughout when whisked in. The rolls were cut intact, horizontally. Three intact “halves” were broken off at a time and were dipped, not soaked, in the French toast mixture and placed on the griddle. Use two hands to hold the strip of rolls together so they don’t break apart. If you look closely, you can see the orange zest.
Using a wide spatula placed underneath the strip of rolls once golden on the bottom, with your second hand on top, flip over gently to cook the other side.
Now, maybe a sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar on the top with a small scoop of softened butter will be all you need. But…..
How about topping it with some homemade strawberry syrup! I still had some frozen strawberries I picked late last May. This was much better than regular syrup! Entering the New Year should be bright and colorful, right?
Add a mimosa on the side of this Hawaiian French Toast and you have the perfect New Year’s Day breakfast!
Hawaiian French Toast
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 c milk or half and half
- 2 T orange juice
- 1 t vanilla
- 1 T sugar
- 1/2 t cinnamon
- 1/4 t nutmeg
- 1/16 t cloves
- 1 t orange zest
- 2 T butter, melted and cooled
Instructions
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, orange juice and vanilla.
- Combine the sugar with the spices and orange zest in a small bowl. Whisk it into the egg mixture. Place it in a dish wide enough for dipping in a strip of 3 rolls; a pie plate should work well.
- Melt the butter and allow it to cool.
- Warm the egg/sugar/spice mix for about 20-25 seconds in the microwave. This is just to avoid the cooled butter from solidifying once combined into a cool mixture.
- Take the 12 rolls out of the package in one piece. Do not separate! Slice horizontally halfway through the rolls.
- Whisk in butter mixture until well combined.
- Break off 3 rolls, intact, and dip both sides into mixture. Do not soak them!
- Place them on a pre-heated griddle (325 degrees F) prepped with a thin coating of coconut oil. I use a folded paper towel to wipe the griddle. If you prefer, you could use more butter, but this works well.
- Flip the 3 intact rolls once bottoms are golden and cook the other side.
- Serve with a sprinkle of confectioner's sugar, a small scoop of butter or syrup of your choice.
