Kid-friendly Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks + Boujee Berry Syrup + Brunchy Bunch Fancy Fizz Recipe - Sticky Fingers Cooking
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Family Meal Plan: Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks + Boujee Berry Syrup + Brunchy Bunch Fancy Fizz

Family Meal Plan: Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks + Boujee Berry Syrup + Brunchy Bunch Fancy Fizz

Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks + Boujee Berry Syrup + Brunchy Bunch Fancy Fizz

by Dylan Sabuco
Photo by Dylan Sabuco
prep time
20 minutes
cook time
20 minutes
makes
4-6 servings

Fun Food Story

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Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks

What do you get when you combine the charm of classic crème brûlée with the kid-friendly appeal of French toast sticks? Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks, of course! These golden, crispy sticks burst with rich vanilla custard flavor and a fun, crunchy caramelized top. It's like dessert for breakfast! 

For the ultimate breakfast experience, I recommend serving them with our beautiful Boujee Berry Syrup and a tall glass of Brunchy Bunch Fancy Fizz. Oooh-la-la!

Happy & Healthy Cooking,

Chef Erin, Food-Geek-in-Chief
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Shopping List

  • FRESH
  • 3 C berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or any other berry of your choice)
  • EGGS
  • 3 eggs **(see allergy subs below)**
  • BREAD
  • 6 slices of bread, your choice **(see allergy subs below)**
  • PANTRY
  • 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk **(see allergy subs below)**
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract **(see allergy subs below)**
  • 3 C sparkling water
  • 1 1/2 C granulated sugar
  • 1/4 C vegetable oil **
  • HAVE ON HAND
  • 1 3/4 C water

Fun-Da-Mentals Kitchen Skills

  • fry :

    to fry in a pan in a small amount of fat.

  • measure :

    to calculate the specific amount of an ingredient required using a measuring tool (like measuring cups or spoons).

  • pour :

    to cause liquid, granules, or powder to stream from one container into another.

  • simmer :

    to cook a food gently, usually in a liquid, until softened.

  • slice :

    to cut into thin pieces using a sawing motion with your knife.

  • strain :

    to separate liquids from solid foods or remove bigger food particles from smaller particles using a perforated or porous device like a strainer, sieve, colander, or cheesecloth.

  • whisk :

    to beat or stir ingredients vigorously with a fork or whisk to mix, blend, or incorporate air.

Equipment Checklist

  • Large frying pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Can opener
  • Measuring spoons
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Kid-safe knife
  • Tongs or spatula
  • Medium saucepan
  • Dry measuring cups
  • Wooden spoon
  • Spoon, for serving
  • Pitcher
  • Fine mesh sieve or strainer
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Ingredients

Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks

  • 6 slices of bread, your choice **(for GLUTEN ALLERGY sub gluten-free/nut-free bread slices)**
  • 1 14-oz can of sweetened condensed milk **(for DAIRY ALLERGY sub 1 C coconut cream + 1/4 C granulated sugar)**
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract **(for GLUTEN ALLERGY use certified gluten-free pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla flavor—check label)**
  • 3 eggs **(for EGG ALLERGY sub 2 T flaxseeds + 1/4 C warm water—more info below)**
  • 1/4 C water
  • 1/4 C vegetable oil **

Boujee Berry Syrup

  • 2 C berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or any other berry of your choice)
  • 1 C granulated sugar
  • 1 C water

Brunchy Bunch Fancy Fizz

  • 1 C berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or any other berry of your choice)
  • 3 C sparkling water
  • 1/2 C granulated sugar
  • 1/2 C water

Food Allergen Substitutions

Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks

  • Gluten/Wheat: Substitute gluten-free/nut-free bread slices. Use certified gluten-free pure vanilla extract, not imitation vanilla flavor. 
  • Dairy: For 1 14-oz can of sweetened condensed milk, substitute 1 C coconut cream + 1/4 C granulated sugar.
  • Egg: For 3 eggs, substitute 2 T flaxseeds + 1/4 C warm water. Stir and soak flaxseeds in warm water for 5 minutes or until fully absorbed and thickened.
  • Soy: Substitute canola oil or other nut-free high-smoking point oil for vegetable oil.

Instructions

Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks

1.
intro

Today, we will combine two amazing, sweet treats: French toast and crème brûlée. Both recipes originate from France and start as a custard. Custard is quite amazing. This creamy, eggy, and sweet mixture can be turned into pudding, pastry cream, ice cream, French toast, and crème brûlée. Let’s dive into this tasty, custardy creation.

2.
measure + mix

In a large mixing bowl, measure 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 eggs, and 1/4 cup water. Whisk to combine. The bread will soak in this custard before being fried.

3.
scrumptious science

What is a custard? Custard is a creamy combination of milk or cream, sugar, and eggs. Custard is used to make tons of sweet treats like ice cream, crème brûlée, or pastry cream. The main thing to focus on when making a traditional custard is to control the heat. If you let the custard get too hot, the eggs will become lumpy instead of smooth.

4.
slice + soak

Cut 6 slices of bread into long, thick strips. Remember you want the shape to be big enough to hold in your hand without it falling apart. Then, soak the slices of bread in the custard. Be sure that each piece of bread is fully soaked in custard.

5.
fry + dunk

Add 1/4 cup of vegetable oil to a large frying pan over medium-high heat. After heating the oil for about 1 minute, add the French toast sticks in an even single layer. Cook on each side for 4 minutes or until golden brown. Serve straight out of the pan. Be sure to dunk the Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks in or drizzle with syrup, like our Boujee Berry Syrup before digging in. Bon appétit!

Boujee Berry Syrup

1.
mix + simmer

In a medium saucepan, measure and mix 2 cups berries, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water over medium-high heat. Simmer for 10 minutes. Cool for about 5 minutes before drizzling over pancakes or French toast, like our Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks. Enjoy!

Brunchy Bunch Fancy Fizz

1.
smash + strain

In a large pitcher, measure 1 cup berries and 1/2 cup sugar. Smash the berries with a wooden spoon into the sugar until both are fully combined. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or strainer. Let’s count in French while we smash: 1 un (uhn), 2 deux (deuh), 3 trois (twah), 4 quatre (KAH-truh), 5 cinq (sank), 6 six (sees), 7 sept (set), 8 huit (wheet), 9 neuf (neuhf), 10 dix (dees).

2.
combine + pour

Combine the berry syrup with 3 cups sparkling water and 1/2 cup water. Stir to fully combine all the ingredients. Pour over ice and enjoy! "A votre santé" or "Cheers" (literally "To your health") in French!

Surprise Ingredient: Sweetened Condensed Milk!

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Photo by ninikas/Shutterstock.com

Hi! I'm Sweetened Condensed Milk!

"As you can tell from my name: I'm milk; I'm sweet; and I'm condensed! Condensed means that the milk has had around 60 percent of its water removed, so it becomes dense and thick. Then, sugar is added to make it sweet. I come in a can and am able to sit unopened on your pantry shelf for one to two years so you can add me to your dessert recipes whenever you need me!"

  • In his travel books from the late 1200s, the explorer and merchant Marco Polo wrote about the Tatars, or Turkic ethnic groups across Eastern Europe and Asia, who condensed milk into a paste, which would be carried around in 10-pound bags. This was probably a fermented, yogurt-like milk curd, "katyk," to which they would add water to make a drink called "ayran." 
  • Nicolas Appert, a French confectioner and inventor, successfully condensed milk in 1820. In the United States, Gail Borden Jr invented a process in 1853, before refrigeration, to make sweetened condensed milk, allowing milk to be stored for much longer than a few hours.
  • Evaporated milk is a similar shelf-stable canned milk product, except it does not contain sugar and must be homogenized and sterilized by heat. In some countries, they call evaporated milk unsweetened condensed milk. 
  • "Sweetened condensed milk" is often shortened to "condensed milk." It has many uses. Add it to hot coffee and tea instead of milk, or make Thai iced tea or Vietnamese iced coffee with it. You can make fudge and dulce de leche with condensed milk. You will also find it in caramel candy and key lime pie, and it is a main ingredient in a Brazilian confection called "brigadeiro."
  • You might even try adding sweetened condensed milk to the egg mixture for French toast, like our Crème Brûlée Fancy French Toast Sticks!

History of Custard!

Photo by CGissemann/Shutterstock.com
  • Custards baked in pastry were popular during the Middle Ages. The word "custard" comes from the late Middle English "custarde and "crustarde," indicating a pie with a sauce made from eggs and milk, from the Old French "cruste" (crust).
  • Today, custard is a dessert, not necessarily with a crust, or it may be a sweet sauce. Custard is made with eggs, milk, and sugar, with varying consistencies. 
  • When custard is a thin pouring sauce, it is called "crème anglaise." It is a base for or is poured over cake, fruit, or meringue (floating island). 
  • Eggnog is a type of custard you can drink. It is served primarily during the Christmas season.
  • It can also be a thick mixture called "crème pâtissière" or "pastry cream." It is often used in pastries made with "pâte à choux," a dough that puffs when baked and creates a hollow area in the center that can be filled with pastry cream. These include cream puffs and éclairs. Pastry cream is also used in cakes (Boston cream pie), doughnuts, fruit tarts, and a French puff pastry dessert called "mille-feuille." 
  • Sweet custard can also become several similar desserts, including crème brûlée, crème caramel, and flan. Custard is also added to a particularly British dessert, the "trifle."
  • Frozen custard is similar to ice cream except for one additional ingredient. Ice cream is generally made with milk, cream, and a sweetener, usually sugar. Frozen custard consists of those same ingredients and egg yolks, making it richer and thicker than ice cream.

Let's Learn About France!

Photo by Alliance Images/Shutterstock.com
  • Bonjour (hello)! Bienvenue en (welcome to) France and the spectacular Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, and ancient Roman ruins in the Provence region.
  • France is a European country, and its official name is the French Republic. The capital city is Paris, which also has the most people. 
  • France's land area is 248,573 square miles. That is almost the size of the US state of Texas! The number of people in France is 67,874,000, about 43 percent more than in Texas.
  • The official and national language is French, which is also the official language in 12 other countries, and a co-official language in 16 countries, including Canada. 
  • France's government consists of a president, a prime minister, and a parliament and is divided into regions and departments rather than states and counties.
  • The French have a well-known motto, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity."
  • In addition to the Eiffel Tower, France is known for the Louvre, the most visited art museum worldwide (the Mona Lisa resides there), the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur) in southeastern France on the Mediterranean coast.
  • France is famous for the "beaux-arts" (fine arts). Paris is still home to many artists and great painters, artisans, and sculptors. Great literature came from French authors, such as Victor Hugo's novels Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
  • Paris has two popular nicknames. The most common is "The City of Light" (La Ville Lumière), which came about because Paris was the first European city to implement street lighting in 1860, lighting up the city with 56,000 gas street lamps. The second is "The City of Love," (La Ville de L'amour). This name is probably due to Paris being considered one of the most romantic cities in the world and the high number of marriage proposals at the Eiffel Tower!
  • French cuisine is known for its freshness and high quality. Many of the world's greatest pastries originated in France, such as the croissant, eclair, and macaron!
  • Other French foods are escargot (snails!), baguette (bread), ratatouille (roasted tomato, zucchini, and eggplant—remember the movie?!), and crepes (very thin pancakes).

What's It Like to Be a Kid in France?

  • Most kids start school (preschool) at around age three. Depending on the area and the school, students go to school 4 to 5 days a week. They often get a 1½-hour lunch break, and some kids go home for lunch. 
  • Dinner is served at 7:30 pm or later, so afternoon snacks are essential. "Le goûter" (goo-tay), or afternoon tea, often includes a "tartine," a slice of bread topped with something sweet or savory (like cheese, butter and jam, or Nutella). Other popular snacks are yogurt, fromage blanc (white cheese), and fruit. 
  • Popular sports for kids are soccer, bicycling, and tennis.
  • There are several parks in France, in and around Paris. Napoleon III even designed one of them, the Bois de Boulogne, where you can find beautiful gardens, lakes, a zoo, an amusement park, and two horse racing tracks. In addition, kids can go on pony rides, play mini-golf, and race remote control boats at many public parks.  
  • Of course, kids can also go to the most popular theme park in Europe, Disneyland Paris, which opened in 1992. While there, kids can go on a ride unique to Disneyland Paris: Ratatouille: The Adventure!

That's Berry Funny

Tongue twister:

Say it 3 times fast . . . "Bake big batches of brown blueberry bread."

THYME for a Laugh

What’s a ghost’s favorite fruit? 

Boo-berries!

That's Berry Funny

I decided to make a custard last night, and it was awesome!

I love it when a flan comes together.

That's Berry Funny

What is a scarecrow’s favorite fruit? 

Straw-berries!

THYME for a Laugh

What do you call a sad raspberry? 

A blueberry.

The Yolk's On You

What do you call strawberries playing the guitar? 

A jam session!

THYME for a Laugh

Where does bad dessert go?

Into custard-y!

That's Berry Funny

Why was the French toast so good at baseball? 

It had a good batter!

THYME for a Laugh

When toasting, I raise my glass and say, "Here's to bread, flour, egg, sugar and vanilla!"

People ask what that was all about.

I say it was a French toast!

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