Description

Vanilla Honey Butter Toast is a decadent and flavorful treat featuring thick brioche slices coated in a rich, aromatic honey butter blend, baked to golden perfection. Topped with a creamy ricotta and cream cheese mixture, drizzled with honey, sprinkled with flaky salt, and garnished with fresh rosemary, this toast delivers a perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and herbaceous notes for an indulgent breakfast or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

4 thick slices of brioche (2½ inches thick, edges trimmed)

Vanilla Honey Butter

7 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
3 ½ tbsp honey, plus extra for topping
4 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp black pepper
Pinch of salt

Cheese Topping

5 oz ricotta cheese
3 oz cream cheese

Garnish

Fleur de sel or flaky salt, to taste
Fresh rosemary, to taste

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 380°F (193°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Trim and Prep Bread Slices: Cut off the edges of each brioche slice, then cut each slice into two rectangles. Place the bread pieces onto the prepared baking sheet.
Dry Out Brioche: Bake the brioche pieces at 380°F for 2 minutes, then flip them over and bake for another 2 minutes. This step dries out the bread slightly to ensure better texture after toasting.
Make Vanilla Honey Butter: In a bowl, combine softened butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla extract, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Apply Butter Mixture: Spread a thin, even layer of the honey butter on every side of the brioche rectangles, including the end caps, ensuring full coverage for maximum flavor.
Toast the Brioche: Bake the buttered brioche at 380°F for 8 to 11 minutes on the first side, checking at 8 minutes. Flip each piece over and bake for another 6 to 7 minutes until deeply golden. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Cool the Toast: Remove the toasted brioche from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes to set the butter and crisp the texture.
Prepare Cheese Topping: In a food processor, whip together the ricotta and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Assemble and Garnish: Pipe or spread the cheese mixture onto each toasted brioche piece. Drizzle with honey, sprinkle with fleur de sel or flaky salt, and garnish with fresh rosemary to taste.

Notes

Using thick brioche slices enhances the texture and richness of the toast.
Drying the brioche before adding butter helps the bread achieve a crisp exterior while remaining soft inside.
Adjust the amount of honey and butter mixture to your sweetness preference.
Fresh rosemary adds an aromatic herbal note, but you can omit it if desired.
Allowing the toast to cool on a rack prevents sogginess by letting air circulate.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: vanilla honey butter toast, brioche toast recipe, ricotta cream cheese toast, sweet breakfast toast, baked honey butter bread