Matcha Milk Bread French Toast with Black Sesame Cream Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To achieve the most dramatic visual presentation, use a star-shaped piping tip for the black sesame chantilly. Pipe the cream in a tight, swirling motion starting from the center of the toast and moving outwards, ensuring the cream covers most of the surface. This not only looks professional but also allows for a bit of cream in every single bite of the pillowy toast.

For those who prefer a slightly more complex flavor profile, consider adding a tiny pinch of sea salt to the custard mixture. This small addition helps to amplify the natural nuttiness of the black sesame and the earthy notes of the matcha.

Always ensure the skillet is properly cleaned between batches if you are cooking for more than two people to prevent any burnt butter particles from clinging to the next set of toasts.

Variations

• Hojicha French Toast: Replace the ceremonial matcha with high-quality hojicha powder for a toasted, smoky, and caramel-like flavor profile that pairs beautifully with the black sesame cream.
• Fruit-Topped Toast: Add fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries on top of the black sesame cream to provide a bright, acidic contrast to the rich and earthy elements of the dish.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, although the texture will soften significantly.

Reheat

Reheat in a toaster oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, though the original texture will not be fully restored.

Store any leftover black sesame chantilly in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The French toast itself is best enjoyed immediately after cooking, as the texture changes significantly once it cools down.

If you must store leftovers, keep them in a sealed container, but note that the bread will lose its crisp, caramelized exterior and soft, soufflé-like interior quality.

You can prepare the matcha custard up to 24 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated in a sealed jar. Similarly, the black sesame chantilly can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. However, do not soak the bread until you are ready to cook, as the milk bread will become too soft and lose its structural integrity if left in the custard for longer than the recommended time.

Serving ideas

Serve the toast immediately while it is still hot and the black sesame cream is cold. The contrast in temperatures between the warm, soft bread and the cool, rich cream is a defining characteristic of this dish.

Place the toast on a warm ceramic plate to help maintain its temperature for as long as possible during the meal, and consider serving with a side of fresh, tart berries to provide a bright contrast to the earthy matcha and nutty sesame flavors.

Because the toast is quite rich and indulgent, it pairs exceptionally well with a simple, unsweetened tea, such as a light sencha or a simple white tea, which cleanses the palate between bites.

Avoid pairing it with overly sweet beverages, as the honey in the custard and the chantilly cream provide enough sweetness. The goal is to highlight the delicate balance of the matcha and sesame profiles, so keep accompanying sides simple and fresh.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Matcha Milk Bread French Toast with Black Sesame Cream

Prep 5 minCook 6 minTotal 11 minServes 2

Ingredients

• 8 grams ceremonial matcha
• 30 milliliters warm milk
• 2 eggs
• 70 milliliters heavy cream
• 15 grams honey
• 2 slabs (4-centimeter thick) Hokkaido milk bread
• 20 grams clarified butter
• 1/2 cup black sesame chantilly cream, prepared

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the ceremonial matcha and warm milk until the powder is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Add the eggs, heavy cream, and honey, continuing to whisk until the custard base is uniform and well-combined.
2. Place the thick slices of Hokkaido milk bread into a wide, shallow dish. Pour the matcha custard over the bread and allow it to soak for exactly 3 minutes, flipping the bread halfway through to ensure even absorption throughout the pillowy interior.
3. Heat the clarified butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, targeting a surface temperature of 170 degrees Celsius (338 degrees Fahrenheit). Place the soaked bread into the skillet and sear for 3 minutes per side until a golden crust forms and the interior reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) to ensure the eggs are fully cooked. Remove from heat, pipe the black sesame chantilly cream on top, and serve immediately.

Contains: gluten, eggs, milk, sesame

Food safety: This recipe includes lightly cooked eggs. For vulnerable groups like pregnant women, children, and those with weakened immune systems, use pasteurized eggs.

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

480

Protein

12.5 g

Carbohydrates

45 g

Fat

28 g

Fiber

2.5 g

Sugar

18 g

Sodium

350 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.