# What You Need:
→ French Toast
01 - 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, approximately 16 ounces, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 4 large eggs
03 - 1 cup eggnog
04 - 1/4 cup whole milk
05 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - Pinch of salt
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for frying
→ Decoration & Assembly
11 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
12 - Fresh rosemary sprigs, to resemble tree branches
13 - 1/2 cup fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, or cranberries)
14 - Maple syrup, for serving
15 - Star-shaped fruit or cookie, optional tree topper
16 - Toothpicks or small skewers
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, eggnog, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until smooth and evenly combined.
02 - Add the 1-inch bread cubes to the custard mixture, gently tossing to coat all sides. Allow to soak for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even absorption.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. In batches, add soaked bread cubes and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side. Add additional butter as needed between batches.
04 - Transfer the cooked French toast bites onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess butter.
05 - On a large serving platter, arrange the French toast bites in concentric circles, stacking them carefully to form a tree shape. Use toothpicks or small skewers to stabilize the structure if desired.
06 - Insert fresh rosemary sprigs between the bites to mimic tree branches. Adorn with fresh berries as ornaments. Optionally, place a star-shaped fruit or cookie on the top as a decorative tree topper.
07 - Dust the assembled tree lightly with powdered sugar to simulate snow and serve immediately alongside maple syrup.
