How to Turn French Toast into a Date Night-Worthy Dessert

The holidays are all about celebratory moments, so we paired up with Simply Organic to find recipes you'll want to share with friends (and make again and again).

During the holidays—when cookies are flying at you right and left and decorated tables are anchored with amazing bûches de noël—the humble French toast doesn’t particularly seem worthy of an occasion.

But when I'm settling in for a date night at home—a respite from the rush of holiday parties and days spent shopping—it's just the sort of wintertime comfort food I'm looking for—especially with a few tweaks.

With a little help from the food, a date night in doesn’t have to feel like a consolation prize to a date night out. In fact, in many ways staying in is preferred.

For one thing, you always have a table and it’s really all yours. Settle in if you’d like: You’re welcome to stay for hours. You won’t have to yell over the music in order to carry on a conversation; you won’t get distracted by the couple next to you who appear to be on their first date that's awkwardly not going so well; and where else can you find buttery croissants dipped in a spiced custard, pan-fried in a bit more butter, and topped with, yes, brown butter-maple syrup?

Now this is the sort of dessert that wildly declares, “It’s a date night!" and offers the comfort you're seeking during any much-needed reprieve from the passed hors d'oeuvres and mini sweets. It's breakfast meets bread pudding, with a sauce that's simple in method but not flavor.

And because it is date night, after all—a very special occasion—I think a scoop of ice cream slowly melting into the buttery crags would be welcomed.

Croissant French Toast with Brown Butter-Maple Syrup

View Recipe

Ingredients

For the brown-butter maple syrup:

3	tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4	cup (60 milliliters) maple syrup
1	pinch kosher salt

3	tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4	cup (60 milliliters) maple syrup

1	pinch kosher salt

For the French toast:

1/4	cup (60 milliliters) whole milk
1/4	cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
1	egg
1	teaspoon vanilla extract
1	vanilla bean, split and seeds removed (optional)
1	tablespoon dark brown sugar
1/4	teaspoon kosher salt
1/4	teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4	teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
2	tablespoons unsalted butter
2	croissants, split in half

1/4	cup (60 milliliters) whole milk
1/4	cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream
1	egg
1	teaspoon vanilla extract
1	vanilla bean, split and seeds removed (optional)
1	tablespoon dark brown sugar

1/4	teaspoon kosher salt
1/4	teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4	teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
2	tablespoons unsalted butter
2	croissants, split in half

The holidays are all about celebratory moments, so we paired up with Simply Organic to find recipes you'll want to share with friends (and make again and again). Find more seasonal inspiration for your table here.