This strawberry French toast recipe turns soft sandwich bread into warm, sugar-coated rounds with a gooey strawberry jam center. Each sandwich is dipped briefly in egg and milk, pan-fried in butter until golden, then rolled in sugar while still warm.
It has the feel of a shortcut jam doughnut without yeast dough or deep frying. For an easy brunch spread, serve it with my French Omelette, Bread Omelette, High-Protein Greek Yogurt Bowl, or make these Strawberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies
What Is Jam Donut French Toast?
Jam donut French toast is made by sandwiching strawberry jam between pieces of soft bread, dipping them in an egg-and-milk mixture, then cooking them in butter until golden.
The hot rounds are coated in sugar immediately after cooking, giving them a sweet outer crust and warm jam-filled center.
It isn’t a traditional doughnut because there is no yeast dough and no deep frying. It’s a French toast shortcut with a jam-doughnut-style finish.
Table of contents
Ingredients
Let’s Make Strawberry Jam French Toast
- Use a large round cookie cutter or glass to cut six circles from the bread slices. Save the bread scraps for breadcrumbs, croutons, or another recipe. For a savory breakfast using simple bread and eggs, try this Bread Omelette Recipe with cheese, vegetables, and crisp golden toast.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of strawberry jam over three bread circles. Leave a small border around the edges so the jam does not leak while cooking.
- Place the remaining bread circles on top and press the edges together gently to make three jam-filled sandwiches.
- Whisk the egg and milk together in a shallow bowl. Place the superfine sugar on a separate plate.
- Dip one jam sandwich briefly into the egg mixture, coating both sides and the edges. Because sandwich bread is thin and filled with jam, dip it only long enough to coat it without letting it become too soft. See Food52’s French toast guide for more tips on getting the right soak.
- Melt the butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side, until deep golden brown and warmed through.
- Transfer the hot French toast straight onto the sugar plate. Coat both sides and the edges with sugar while it is still warm so the fine sugar sticks evenly to the buttery crust. For another warm sugar-coating method, see King Arthur Baking’s French toast sticks recipe.
- Serve warm with extra strawberry jam if desired. For a more filling weekend breakfast, pair it with this High-Protein Greek Yogurt Bowl topped with fresh fruit and granola.
How to Keep the Jam From Leaking
The biggest thing is not overfilling the bread.
Use the tested 1 tablespoon jam per sandwich and leave a clear border around the edge.
Press the second bread round gently over the first, then dip it briefly rather than soaking it.
Medium heat also matters. Very high heat can brown the outside before the center warms through, while longer cooking can encourage more jam to escape.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Adding too much jam: Stick with about 1 tablespoon per sandwich.
Spreading jam to the edge: Leave a border so the filling stays enclosed.
Using bread that is extremely soft: Slightly stale bread is easier to handle.
Soaking too long: A quick dip is enough.
Cooking over high heat: Medium heat gives the bread time to brown evenly.
Waiting before adding the sugar: Coat the toast while it’s still warm and buttery.
Pressing the sandwiches too aggressively: Gentle pressure is enough.
What to Serve With Jam Donut French Toast
These sweet French toast rounds work well with:
- Fresh strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Greek yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Omelette
- Coffee
- Iced coffee
- Cold milk
The savory breakfast sides help balance the sweet jam and sugar coating.
FAQs
Yes, but stale bread works better because it absorbs less egg mixture. Lightly toast fresh bread before using it.
The jam may be too close to the edge or the sandwich may be overfilled. Leave a small border around the bread before sealing it.
No. You can make square jam-filled French toast sandwiches instead.
Yes. Raspberry, blueberry, cherry, apricot, and mixed berry jam all work well.
You can assemble the jam sandwiches a few hours ahead and refrigerate them. Dip and cook them just before serving.
Yes, but wait until the French toast cools slightly before dusting. Powdered sugar can melt quickly on very hot French toast.
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Strawberry Jam Donut French Toast
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut six large circles from the bread using a round cookie cutter or a drinking glass.
- Spread 1 tablespoon strawberry jam over three bread circles, leaving a small border around the edge.
- Top with the remaining bread circles and press gently around the edges to seal.
- Whisk the egg and milk together in a shallow bowl. Add the sugar to a separate plate.
- Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Dip each jam sandwich briefly in the egg mixture, coating both sides and the edges.
- Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side until golden brown and hot through.
- Transfer directly to the sugar plate and coat both sides and edges while warm.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Use slightly stale bread for the best texture. If your bread is fresh, lightly toast it before cutting the circles.
- Do not spread jam all the way to the edges because it can leak into the pan.
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Let us know how it was!Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
