Why You’ll Love this Heart-Shaped French Toast
Honestly, what’s not to love about French toast that’s shaped like a heart? This delightful breakfast treat combines the comforting flavors of traditional French toast with a romantic twist that’ll make any morning feel special. The raspberry jam adds a perfect tartness that balances beautifully with the creamy, rich cream cheese filling. And those mini chocolate chips? They melt just enough to create little pockets of chocolatey goodness in each bite.
I’m particularly fond of how the almond and vanilla extracts elevate the flavor profile beyond ordinary French toast. The presentation alone makes it worth the effort – dusted with powdered sugar, these adorable heart-shaped creations will impress anyone lucky enough to find them on their breakfast plate. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or just because you deserve something extraordinary on a Tuesday morning.
What Ingredients are in Heart-Shaped French Toast?
Making heart-shaped French toast is actually simpler than you might think, and it’s such a charming breakfast option for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or just when you want to add a bit of whimsy to your morning. This recipe combines the classic custardy French toast we all love with delightful fillings of raspberry, chocolate, and cream cheese for a truly special breakfast treat.
- 6 slices of bread
- 3 teaspoons raspberry jam
- 3 tablespoons softened cream cheese
- 1-2 teaspoons mini chocolate chips
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 tablespoon oil
- Confectioners’ sugar (for garnish)
- Syrup (for serving)
The quality of your ingredients can make a difference in this recipe. For the bread, choose something sturdy enough to hold up to the egg mixture without falling apart—brioche or challah would be wonderful options, though regular sandwich bread works fine too. The cream cheese should be softened to room temperature for easy spreading, and using good quality raspberry jam will give you the best flavor. Don’t forget you’ll also need a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create those adorable shapes that make this recipe so special.
How to Make this Heart-Shaped French Toast
To make this adorable Heart-Shaped French Toast, you’ll start by using a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out 6 slices of bread. This simple step transforms an ordinary breakfast into something special—perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or just because you want to add a little love to your morning.
Now for the delicious fillings. Spread 1 tablespoon of softened cream cheese on 3 of your heart-shaped bread slices. Sprinkle about 1/3 of your mini chocolate chips (1-2 teaspoons total) onto each cream cheese-covered slice, pressing them in gently. For the other 3 heart slices, spread each with 1 teaspoon of raspberry jam. Sandwich these pieces together—jam side meeting cream cheese side—and press lightly to help them adhere.
While you’re assembling, whisk together 2 eggs, 1/3 cup milk, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a shallow dish. Dip your heart sandwiches into this mixture, flipping until the bread has absorbed the eggy goodness.
Heat 1/2 tablespoon each of butter and oil in a pan until hot. Place your soaked heart sandwiches in the pan and fry until golden brown, then flip to brown the other side. For a creative twist, you could use a Belgian waffle maker to create gorgeous grid patterns on your French toast. The outside should be crispy while the inside stays creamy and warm, with melty chocolate chips and sweet raspberry jam creating the most heavenly combination. You can finish cooking them on the stovetop or pop them into a 350-degree oven to guarantee they’re heated through. Before serving, dust with a little confectioners’ sugar for that picture-perfect finish, and don’t forget the syrup on the side. Who knew showing someone you care could be this delicious?
Heart-Shaped French Toast Substitutions and Variations
While the heart-shaped design makes this French toast special, you don’t need to stick rigidly to the original recipe. I’m all about flexibility in the kitchen, and this delightful breakfast treat can be customized in so many ways.
Don’t have raspberry jam? Strawberry, blackberry, or apricot preserves work beautifully. The cream cheese can be swapped for mascarpone or ricotta for a different texture. Can’t find mini chocolate chips? Just chop up your favorite chocolate bar instead.
For dietary needs, gluten-free bread works perfectly, and plant-based cream cheese with oat milk makes a lovely dairy-free version. Want to skip the cookie cutter? Simply make these as regular sandwiches—they’ll taste just as heavenly, heart-shaped or not.
What to Serve with Heart-Shaped French Toast
Now that you’ve got your beautiful heart-shaped French toast prepared, let’s talk about what to serve alongside it. This sweet treat pairs wonderfully with fresh berries—think raspberries to echo the jam inside, or a medley of strawberries and blueberries for a colorful plate.
A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can take this from breakfast to dessert in seconds. Can you imagine that melting goodness against the warm chocolate chips?
For a more substantial breakfast, crispy bacon or breakfast sausage provides that perfect sweet-savory balance. The saltiness cuts through the richness of the cream cheese and chocolate.
And don’t forget beverages! A frothy cappuccino, fresh orange juice, or even a mimosa for special occasions completes the spread.
Final Thoughts
When you bite into these heart-shaped French toast treats, you’ll understand why they’ve become my favorite special-occasion breakfast. The combination of tart raspberry jam, creamy cheese, and those tiny bursts of chocolate creates pure magic on your taste buds.
The best part? They look fancy but don’t require professional baking skills. Trust me, if you can use a cookie cutter and flip French toast, you can make these. And the smiles they’ll bring to your breakfast table? Absolutely priceless.
I love how versatile this recipe is, too. Need to impress someone on Valentine’s Day? Looking for a Mother’s Day surprise? Or maybe just a random Tuesday when you want to show someone you care? These little heart-shaped delights fit the bill.
