Torrijas, a delicious Spanish dessert, is often described as the Spanish version of French toast.
This delightful treat features thick slices of bread soaked in warm milk, or wine, dipped in beaten egg, and then fried to golden perfection. Typically prepared during the Easter season, torrijas have become a popular dessert all year round, particularly in Spain and Latin America.
We couldn’t help but add this incredible torrijas recipe to our traditional Spanish semana santa recipes. Trust us; your taste buds will thank us later!
What is Torrijas?
The rich history of torrijas dates back to the Middle Ages, with various regional variations throughout Spain. The primary ingredients remain constant across most torrijas recipes – bread, milk or wine, eggs, and sweeteners like sugar, honey, or a cinnamon stick.
However, creative variations of different torrijas recipes include unique twists, such as the addition of orange zest, vanilla, or even sherry.
Whipping up a torrijas recipe is simple and requires mostly pantry staples. This delectable dish is perfect for special occasions, family gatherings, or simply as a way to repurpose stale bread. For an authentic taste, dip the bread side of Spanish cuisine, follow a traditional torrijas recipe, and indulge in this mouthwatering dessert.
What’s the Difference between French Toast and Torrijas?
The main difference between French toast and torrijas is the cooking method and the type of fat used. French toast is typically fried in butter, while torrijas are fried in olive oil.
Additionally, torrijas are soaked in flavored milk or sweet wine before being dipped in beaten eggs and fried, while French bread or toast is usually dipped in a mixture of eggs and milk or cream.
Finally, torrijas are often flavored with cinnamon and drizzled with honey or syrup, while French toast is often served with powdered sugar, syrup, or fruit.
Ingredients
1 lt. milk
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
2 cinnamon sticks
½ lemon peel
4 eggs, beaten
1 baguette (1-2 days) day old bread)
2 cups vegetable oil
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon
How to make Torrijas
1. Place the milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks, and lemon peel in a pot and bring to a boil. Once it breaks a boil, remove it from the heat. Let it get cold, and remove the cinnamon sticks and lemon peel.
2. Beat the eggs in a bowl.
3. Cut the baguette into thick slices and soak them wet in the milk for a couple of minutes per side or just until they absorb all the liquid.
4. Heat the vegetable oil to 180º in a skillet.
5. Transfer each soaked slice to the egg and cover on both sides.
6. Fry each torrija until golden brown on both sides and transfer to kitchen towels to remove excess grease.
7. Combine the sugar and cinnamon and cover each torrija in the sugar mixture. Serve.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Depending on how hard your bread is, you can let it soak for more or less time, it should be soft, but you should also be able to pick each torrija up and then soak it in the egg, so don’t overdo it.
- Transfer the torrijas to the sugar and cinnamon mixture while they are still warm; that way, you can ensure it sticks to them.
- When making torrijas, it’s important to use old bread that has become hard and a bit stale. This helps the bread to absorb the flavors of the milk mixture without falling apart during the frying process.
- Some recipes call for deep-frying the torrijas, while others suggest shallow frying. Deep-frying will give you a crispier outer layer, but shallow frying can be a healthier option without sacrificing too much flavor or texture.
- Shallow-frying torrijas: Use just enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan and carefully turn the bread to ensure even cooking.
- Deep-frying torrijas: Fill a deep pan with enough oil so that the bread pieces will be submerged when added. This method may require a bit more oil, but it delivers a great texture and crust.
- For a different take on the classic torrijas recipe, you could try baking them instead of frying them. This will reduce the overall fat content and might be a suitable alternative for those with dietary restrictions. Simply place the soaked bread on a lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven until golden and crispy.
- Finally, when it comes to toppings, feel free to get creative. Drizzle your torrijas with honey, dust them with powdered sugar, or serve them alongside fresh fruit, ice cream, or whipped cream for an indulgent treat.
Serving Suggestions
Torrijas, a delicious Spanish French Toast, can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some serving suggestions to enhance your Torrijas experience:
Classic
Sprinkle some ground cinnamon and drizzle honey or simple cinnamon sugar and sweet syrup over the Torrijas. This classic combination is both traditional and loved by many. You can find a recipe with this traditional topping at Spanish Sabores.
With Sherry
Elevate your Torrijas by topping them with sherry. This unique twist adds a rich and complex flavor.
Fruit Toppings
Add freshness and zest to your Torrijas by topping them with seasonal fruits like berries or slices of banana, peach, or apple.
Variety of Spices
Experiment with spices to add a twist to your Torrijas’ taste. Cardamom, nutmeg, or even a touch of ginger would provide a unique and exciting flavor profile.
Nutty Toppings
Sprinkle crushed nuts flavored honey, such as almonds or walnuts, over your Torrijas for added texture and flavor.
Feel free to combine different toppings and be creative with your presentation. Torrijas can be served as a dessert, breakfast, or a sweet treat for any time of the day.
And if you have a sweet tooth, you’ve got to try these Traditional Spanish Dessert Recipes! And don’t miss out on our all-time fave torrijas recipe – it’s seriously delish.
In conclusion, Torrijas are a delicious treat, a traditional Spanish dessert that is easy to make and absolutely delicious. With this recipe, you can enjoy this sweet and indulgent treat in the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just as a weekend treat, the delicious Torrijas recipe will surely be a hit with anyone who tries them. So, go ahead and give this recipe a try!
Torrijas Recipe
Equipment
- Pots
- Kitchen towels
- Spoons and knives
Ingredients
- 1 l milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 lemon peel
- 4 eggs
- 1 baguette (1-2 days old)
- 2 cups vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Nutrition
Notes
- Depending on how hard your bread is, you can let it soak for more or less time, it should be soft, but you should also be able to pick each torrija up and then soak it in the egg, so don’t overdo it.
- Transfer the torrijas to the sugar and cinnamon mixture while they are still warm; that way, you can ensure it sticks to them.
- When making torrijas, it’s important to use old bread that has become hard and a bit stale. This helps the bread to absorb the flavors of the milk mixture without falling apart during the frying process.
- Some recipes call for deep-frying the torrijas, while others suggest shallow frying. Deep-frying will give you a crispier outer layer, but shallow frying can be a healthier option without sacrificing too much flavor or texture.
- Shallow-frying torrijas: Use just enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan and carefully turn the bread to ensure even cooking.
- Deep-frying torrijas: Fill a deep pan with enough oil so that the bread pieces will be submerged when added. This method may require a bit more oil, but it delivers a great texture and crust.
- For a different take on the classic torrijas recipe, you could try baking them instead of frying them. This will reduce the overall fat content and might be a suitable alternative for those with dietary restrictions. Simply place the soaked bread on a lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven until golden and crispy.
- Finally, when it comes to toppings, feel free to get creative. Drizzle your torrijas with honey, dust them with powdered sugar, or serve them alongside fresh fruit, ice cream, or whipped cream for an indulgent treat.
Instructions
- Place the milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks, and lemon peel in a pot and bring to a boil. Once it breaks a boil, remove it from the heat. Let it get cold, and remove the cinnamon sticks and lemon peel.
- Beat the eggs in a bowl.
- Cut the baguette into thick slices and soak them wet in the milk for a couple of minutes per side, or just until they absorb all the liquid.
- Heat the vegetable oil to 180º in a skillet.
- Transfer each soaked slice to the egg and cover on both sides.
- Fry each torrija until golden brown on both sides and transfer to kitchen towels to remove excess grease.
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon and cover each torrija in the sugar mixture. Serve.
