Torrijas (Spanish French Toast)

Step 1

Instructions In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, egg yolks, ⅓ cup sugar, vanilla bean seeds, and lemon zest. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 and up to 24 hours. Use a serrated knife to cut the bread into 8 approximately 4-by-2-by-1½-inch rectangles, then arrange in a single layer in a medium baking dish. Using a fine-mesh strainer, pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread. (Discard any solids that remain in the strainer). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 24 hours more. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Place a large wire rack over a few layers of paper towels, then, using a spatula, transfer the bread slices to the rack and set aside at room temperature to dry slightly, about 30 minutes. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then place the wire rack of bread slices atop the baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake until the slices are dry at the edges but still pale, 8–12 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Preheat the broiler. Sprinkle the remaining sugar generously over the tops of the toasted bread. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook just until the sugar is amber-colored, 3–5 minutes, rotating tray halfway through. (Keep a close eye on the toasts as they broil and check every minute or so to prevent burning.) Remove the baking sheet from the oven. While the toasts are still hot, use an offset spatula to transfer to a serving platter. Dust with cinnamon-sugar if desired. Serve warm, cold, or at room temperature.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, egg yolks, ⅓ cup sugar, vanilla bean seeds, and lemon zest. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 and up to 24 hours. Use a serrated knife to cut the bread into 8 approximately 4-by-2-by-1½-inch rectangles, then arrange in a single layer in a medium baking dish. Using a fine-mesh strainer, pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread. (Discard any solids that remain in the strainer). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 24 hours more. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Place a large wire rack over a few layers of paper towels, then, using a spatula, transfer the bread slices to the rack and set aside at room temperature to dry slightly, about 30 minutes. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then place the wire rack of bread slices atop the baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake until the slices are dry at the edges but still pale, 8–12 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Preheat the broiler. Sprinkle the remaining sugar generously over the tops of the toasted bread. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook just until the sugar is amber-colored, 3–5 minutes, rotating tray halfway through. (Keep a close eye on the toasts as they broil and check every minute or so to prevent burning.) Remove the baking sheet from the oven. While the toasts are still hot, use an offset spatula to transfer to a serving platter. Dust with cinnamon-sugar if desired. Serve warm, cold, or at room temperature.