Vanilla Honey Butter Toast Recipe
Introduction
Vanilla Honey Butter Toast is a delightful twist on classic toast, combining the rich flavors of vanilla, honey, and butter with creamy ricotta and cream cheese. This indulgent treat offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory, ideal for breakfast or a special snack.
Ingredients
- 4 thick slices of brioche (about 2½ inches thick)
- 7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 3½ tbsp honey, plus more for topping
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Pinch of salt
- 5 oz ricotta cheese
- 3 oz cream cheese
- Fleur de sel or flaky salt, to taste
- Fresh rosemary, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 380°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Cut off the edges of the brioche slices and cut each slice into two rectangles. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 3: Bake the bread pieces at 380°F for 2 minutes. Flip them over and bake for another 2 minutes to slightly dry them out for better texture.
- Step 4: In a bowl, combine softened butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to create the honey butter.
- Step 5: Spread a thin layer of the honey butter on every side of each brioche piece, including the edges.
- Step 6: Bake the coated brioche for 8 to 11 minutes on the first side, checking at 8 minutes. Flip and bake for another 6 to 7 minutes until deeply golden. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and let the toasts cool on a rack for 20 minutes.
- Step 8: In a food processor, whip together ricotta and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Step 9: Pipe or spread the whipped cheese onto the cooled toasts. Drizzle with extra honey, sprinkle fleur de sel, and garnish with fresh rosemary.
Tips & Variations
- For an extra touch of warmth, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the honey butter mixture.
- Use different fresh herbs like thyme or basil instead of rosemary for a unique flavor.
- Try substituting the brioche with challah or thick-cut white bread for a similar texture.
Storage
Store leftover vanilla honey butter toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The toasts are best eaten fresh but can be gently reheated in a low oven to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving as it may soften the texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the honey butter mixture ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the honey butter up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. Bring it to room temperature before spreading on the bread for easier application.
What can I use if I don’t have ricotta?
Fresh cottage cheese blended until smooth or mascarpone can be used as a substitute to achieve a similar creamy texture.
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Vanilla Honey Butter Toast Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 rectangles (from 4 brioche slices) 1x
Description
This Vanilla Honey Butter Toast recipe transforms thick brioche slices into a golden, crispy, and subtly sweet breakfast or snack treat. The toast is coated with a luscious blend of butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and a hint of black pepper, then baked to a perfect crisp. Topped with a creamy ricotta and cream cheese mixture, drizzled with honey, fleur de sel, and fresh rosemary, it creates a delightful combination of textures and flavors that elevate simple toast into a gourmet experience.
Ingredients
Bread
- 4 thick slices of brioche (2½ inches thick, edges trimmed and each slice cut into 2 rectangles)
Vanilla Honey Butter
- 7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ tbsp honey (+ more for topping)
- 4 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Cheese Topping
- 5 oz ricotta cheese
- 3 oz cream cheese
Garnish
- Fleur de sel (or flaky salt, to taste)
- Fresh rosemary (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 380°F (193°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Brioche: Trim off the edges of the brioche slices, then cut each slice into two rectangles. Arrange these on the lined baking sheet and bake for 2 minutes. Flip the pieces over and bake for another 2 minutes to slightly dry them out, which helps in achieving a crispier toast later.
- Make the Vanilla Honey Butter: In a bowl, thoroughly mix together softened butter, honey, brown sugar, pure vanilla extract, black pepper, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well combined.
- Apply Butter Mixture: Spread a thin layer of the prepared vanilla honey butter on every side of each brioche piece, including the end caps, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor and caramelization.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the buttered brioche pieces back on the baking sheet and bake for 8 to 11 minutes on the first side, checking at 8 minutes to avoid burning. Flip each piece and bake for an additional 6 to 7 minutes or until the toast is deeply golden and crisp.
- Cool the Toast: Remove the toasts from the oven and let them rest on a cooling rack for 20 minutes. This resting time helps the toast to set and crisp up perfectly.
- Prepare the Cheese Topping: Using a food processor, whip together the ricotta and cream cheese until smooth and creamy, perfect for piping.
- Assemble and Garnish: Pipe the whipped cheese mixture generously onto the cooled toasts. Drizzle with additional honey, sprinkle with fleur de sel to enhance flavor, and garnish with fresh rosemary to add a fragrant herbal note.
Notes
- Using thick brioche slices helps the toast hold up to the butter and cheese without becoming soggy.
- The initial 2-minute bake on each side dries the bread slightly, ensuring crispiness after applying the butter.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper based on your taste preference for a subtle warmth.
- If you don’t have a food processor, you can whisk the ricotta and cream cheese vigorously by hand until smooth.
- Fleur de sel enhances the sweetness beautifully; if unavailable, use flaky sea salt as a substitute.
- The rosemary garnish is optional but adds a lovely aromatic touch that complements the sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast/Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: vanilla honey butter toast, brioche toast, ricotta cream cheese topping, sweet toast recipe, breakfast toast, honey butter toast, baked toast with cheese
