Puffed Up and Proud French Toast

This treat holds its own on any buffet you set out. While you can serve these with maple syrup, they really don’t need it.

1 pound bread loaf, sliced

2 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

½ cup sugar

⅛ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1½ cups milk

1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for frying

Powdered sugar for dusting

Maple syrup

Fresh berries, optional

The day before making, remove the crust from the sliced bread and cut diagonally into 4 pieces per slice. Leave bread on the countertop overnight to dry.

To make French toast, place the flour in a medium bowl and stir in the baking powder, sugar, salt, cinnamon, egg, vanilla extract, milk, and 1 tablespoon oil. Whisk to make a thick batter.

Pour ½ inch of oil into a large skillet or Dutch oven and heat to 350 degrees. Dip the bread in the batter and carefully place in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel and sprinkle with the powdered sugar. Serve with syrup and fruit if desired.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.