This stunning espresso chocolate French toast is a mocha-lover’s dream! Serve slices hot off the griddle with fresh strawberry sauce and plenty of chocolate syrup.
Boring French toast is a big no-no in our house and we may have overcorrected that philosophy today…
I’m only kidding, of course since that’s not possible! If anything we’re just upping the ante today by throwing chocolate, espresso, and strawberries into the mix.
With, of course, my beloved brioche bread serving as a base and soaking up all that chocolate + espresso goodness like a total champ. Breakfast just can’t get any better than this.
This French Toast Features…
- Buttery brioche bread slices
- Rich chocolate and brewed espresso
- A sweet fresh strawberry sauce
Making the French Toast
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Strawberries
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Eggs
- Espresso
- Cocoa powder
- Honey
- 2% or skim milk
- Vanilla extract
- Brioche bread
Choosing Your Bread
I recommend going with a loaf of brioche or another sweet enriched bread for this recipe. It’s sturdy, yet light and buttery and goes very well with the chocolate and espresso.
If you don’t have brioche on hand, this recipe will also work great with sliced challah, sourdough, or French bread.
Tips for Perfect French Toast
- Whisk eggs in custard well – you don’t want any egg chunks in the custard that coats the French toast. Whisk the eggs until smooth before adding the milk.
- Brew espresso fresh – if you don’t have an espresso machine you can also use instant espresso powder.
- Cook French toast on griddle or stovetop – if you have a flat-top griddle, this works great. Otherwise a big skillet on the stove will also work perfectly fine.
- Serve French toast immediately – French toast is one of those things you definitely want to enjoy straight off the griddle for best results.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this French toast.
- Use another fruit – try raspberries or blackberries in place of the strawberries.
- Try another topping – try topping French toast with caramel sauce, maple syrup, or hot fudge sauce.
This really is the epitome of a weekend breakfast! The fresh strawberry sauce stands so well against the rich chocolate and espresso flavor and every bite just melts in your mouth.
No one will ever be disappointed with this on your brunch menu, I can promise you that.
Save this recipe using the ‘save to recipe box’ button below. If you make it, please let us know! Leave a comment + star rating below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram with #wholeandheavenlyoven.
More French toast you’ve gotta try next!
Espresso Chocolate French Toast with Strawberry Sauce
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Ingredients
Strawberry Sauce
- 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Espresso Chocolate French Toast
- 3 large eggs
- 1 shot espresso (about 2 oz)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- 2/3 cup 2% or skim milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Melted unsalted butter for cooking
- 12 slices brioche bread
- Chocolate syrup and powdered sugar for serving
Instructions
Strawberry Sauce
- In a medium bowl, combine all sauce ingredients. Allow to stand for 10 minutes until berries are juicy.
Espresso Chocolate French Toast
- In a large shallow bowl, whisk eggs until smooth. Add espresso, cocoa, honey, milk, and vanilla and whisk well until smooth.
- Brush melted butter on a griddle or large skillet. Working in batches as necessary, begin dipping bread slices into egg mixture and place on griddle or skillet. Cook 2-4 minutes on first side, flip, and continue cooking French toast until golden brown. Repeat cooking with remaining bread, adding more butter to pan as needed.
- Serve French toast warm with strawberry sauce, chocolate syrup, and powdered sugar on top. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 4/1/26.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This french toast looks perfect, Sarah! I absolutely love the mocha flavor in here, so creative! And those strawberries look amazing! Wish I had this for breakfast right now!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Gayle!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
What a beautiful stack of French toast! Love that strawberry topping!
Sarah says
Aww thank you Kelly!
Mandie | Mandie's Kitchen says
Mocha French Toast just sounds superb! Who could resist coffee + chocolate? Not me! Pinned!
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning Mandie!!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
Mocha flavored french toast?! Count me in!This is so creative and delicious sounding. Love the strawberry sauce!
Sarah says
Thank you so much Jen!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Wow! What a fantastic combination! I can never get enough coffee. 🙂
Sarah says
Me neither! 😉 Thanks Christin.
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I just love french toast. So smart adding coffee to the batter! Will really give me an extra pep in my step in the morning : )
Manali @ CookWithManali says
The french toast looks wonderful Sarah especially with that strawberry sauce! I will wake up everyday at 6 in the morning if I get to eat this for breakfast! 😀
Sarah says
Haha! I’m right there with ‘ya, Manali! 😉 Thanks girl!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
These are gorgeous photos Sarah! Looks amazing!
Sarah says
Thanks for the photo compliments, Amber!!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Sarah, I am totally digging this French Toast! Not only do I love French Toast for Breakfast, but I adore the coffee angle. I’m a fan of Kraft McCafe too – so girl, I totally approve – and I am so pinning! xoxo
Sarah says
Thanks for the sweet words and for pinning, Kristi!!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
This french toast looks so beautiful! Love the strawberry sauce on top!
Sarah says
Thank you Kelley!!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Mocha french toast is absolutely brilliant! Love that idea. I am definitely making this sometime soon!
Sarah says
Let me know if you make this, Stacey!
Gayle Hoefker says
For the best coffee, may I recommend the AeroPress. It serves up extremely great espresso coffee with very low acid. I can brew a cup of coffee in the time it takes me to grind fresh beans. You get a much richer, fresher,less acidic cup of coffee, and it is far less expensive than any K-cups coffee.
Sarah says
Thanks for the awesome recommendation, Mrs. Hoefker!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This french toast is gorgeous, Sarah! Love the mocha in here and that strawberry sauce looks absolutely heavenly!!!
Sarah says
Thank you Kelly!
Mary Frances says
Chocolate always ends up on my counter too. Crazy how that happens. I love the mocha twist on French toast! How did I not know coffee flavored French toast is a thing?? Thanks for keeping me up to date Sarah! Not sure if I can thank you for the mega cravings I’ve got now. I think I have brinner in my future … 🙂
Sarah says
Oh, gosh. Coffee french toast is the BEST and it’s something you definitely need in your life, girl!
Stephanie says
What a wonderful way wake up – McCafé as your coffee and in your french toast!?! YUM! #client
Sarah says
Thanks Stephanie!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Ohhhh my, this looks beyond amazing, Sarah! I am definitely a choco-coffee-strawberry aholic…looks like the most perfect way to get my butt out of bed in the morning!
Sarah says
“Choco-coffee-strawberry-holic.” Um. LOVE it! That’s exactly what I am too! LOL. Thanks Denise!