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Vegan French Toast with Vanilla Poached Pear

December 14, 2024Faraway Courtney

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Serves: 2

After spending a glorious month in Australia chasing some dreams (more on that later), I returned home with a few dishes from the land down under that I just couldn’t get out of my head. One of them? A decadent French toast topped with vanilla-poached pears, a dollop of whipped cream, and a sprinkle of maple-candied pecans.

I’ve always loved poached pears, but I had never thought of pairing them with crispy, savory French toast until now. This dish is so dreamy it wakes me up in the middle of the night. Slightly dramatic? Maybe. But if you know me, you know food has that effect on me sometimes.

Breaking Down the 4 Components

This recipe may look fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy to pull together. There are just four simple components:
1. Crispy, cinnamon-kissed French toast
2. Vanilla-poached pears
3. Creamy, lightly sweetened whipped cream
4. Crunchy maple-candied pecans

Each part can be made ahead of time, making this a perfect dish to wow at brunch—or simply to treat yourself. Let’s break it down!

What Pears Are Best for Poaching?

When poaching pears, it’s best to use varieties that hold their shape during cooking. My top choice is Bosc pears, thanks to their firm texture and natural sweetness. Bartlett pears can work as well, but they tend to soften more quickly, so keep an eye on them while cooking. The goal is a pear that’s tender enough to slice through easily but not so soft that it falls apart when fanned out over your French toast.

Escape to Brunch Bliss

Each bite of this French toast is a symphony of textures and flavors: the crispy toast, tender pears, creamy whipped topping, and crunchy candied pecans—all brought together by the warm spices in the poaching syrup.

So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, turn on your favorite playlist, and let Faraway Kitchen take you on a mini escape to a dreamy café somewhere far away. And if you happen to be dreaming about food in the middle of the night like me, I hope this recipe finds its way to your kitchen.

Happy cooking!

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Vegan French Toast with Vanilla Poached Pear

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 45 minutes
  • Total time: 1 hour
  • Serves: 2

Each bite of this French toast is a symphony of textures and flavors: the crispy toast, tender pears, creamy whipped topping, and crunchy candied pecans—all brought together by the warm spices in the poaching syrup.

Ingredients

Vegan French Toast

  • 4 slices sturdy bread, like sourdough or vegan brioche
  • 1/2 cup "Just Egg", or egg alternative
  • 2 tablespoons plant milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Vanilla-Poached Pears

  • 2 Bosc pears, firm, peeled
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 star anise pods
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Whipped Cream

  • 1 cup vegan heavy whipping cream, (Country Crock brand)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Maple-Candied Pecans

  • 1/2 cup pecans, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • salt, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Method

Poach the Pears

  • 1)

    In a medium pot, combine water, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon stick, star anise, and lemon juice.

  • 2)

    Add the peeled pears (likely they will no be submerged). Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Tip: Keep stem attached. This makes the pear more aesthetic for plating and also holds it together while slicing.  

  • 3)

    The pears are done when they’re fork-tender. Remove them from the liquid and let cool. Reserve the poaching syrup for drizzling later.

Make the Maple-Candied Pecans

  • 1)

    In a small pan, combine the crushed pecans, maple syrup, salt, and cinnamon.

  • 2)

    Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until the pecans are caramelized (about 8-10 minutes).

  • 3)

    Spread the pecans on parchment paper to cool and harden.

Prepare the Whipped Cream

  • 1)

    In a large bowl, whip the vegan heavy cream with electric mixer until stiff peaks form (about 2-3 minutes).

  • 2)

    Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar, whipping for an additional 30 seconds to combine.

  • 3)

    Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Make the French Toast

  • 1)

    In a shallow bowl, whisk together the Just Egg, oat milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

  • 2)

    Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and spray lightly with cooking spray.

  • 3)

    Dip each slice of bread in the mixture, ensuring all sides are coated, and cook in the pan until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes per side).

Assemble the Dish

  • 1)

    Place two slices of French toast on a plate.

  • 2)

    When the pears are cool to the touch, slice them thinly, leaving the stem attached to keep the slices together. Remove the bottom of the pear and cut out the core/seeds. Fan the pear over the French toast.

  • 3)

    Add a dollop of whipped cream, sprinkle with candied pecans, and drizzle with the reserved poaching syrup.

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