Torrijas: Irresistible Spanish French Toast with Anise Syrup Recipe
Torrijas is a traditional Spanish twist on French toast, featuring thick slices of stale baguette soaked in a rich egg and milk batter, fried to golden perfection, and drenched in a fragrant anise-infused syrup. This delightful dessert offers a perfect balance of sweet, citrus, and warm spice flavors, ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 loaf thick stale French or Italian-style baguette
Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon anise extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
Batter
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
For Frying & Finishing
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Slice the Bread: Slice the thick stale baguette diagonally into 1-inch thick slices to ensure optimal soaking and frying texture.
- Prepare the Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine water, granulated sugar, honey, orange zest, kosher salt, and cinnamon sticks. Bring the mixture to a boil for 1 minute, then reduce heat and simmer for 7-10 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in anise and almond extracts. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Mix the Batter: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and whole milk until fully combined, creating a smooth batter for soaking the bread.
- Soak the Bread: Dip each slice of bread into the egg and milk mixture, allowing it to soak for 30 seconds to 1 minute to absorb the batter thoroughly without becoming too soggy.
- Fry the Torrijas: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the soaked bread slices for about 3 minutes per side, or until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through.
- Soak in Syrup: Arrange the fried torrijas on a serving platter and pour the warm anise syrup generously over them. Allow the torrijas to sit for at least 20 minutes to absorb the syrup before serving.
Notes
- Using stale bread is crucial to prevent the slices from falling apart when soaked.
- The syrup can be prepared in advance and gently reheated before use.
- Adjust soaking time depending on the bread’s dryness; too long may cause sogginess.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk.
- This dish is best served warm or at room temperature to enjoy the full flavor.
Keywords: Torrijas, Spanish French Toast, Anise Syrup, Breakfast, Dessert, Cinnamon, Orange Zest, Honey Syrup, Fried Bread
