Mediocre toast is annoying. For the most part, you can’t blame the toaster, because it’s usually about the bread. Most commercial loaves just don’t have what it takes. In search of crispy edges, you probably toast it until it’s almost incinerated, and you still get “meh” in the middle. If you put a poached egg on that stuff, it slumps like a soggy tea bag in search of a therapist. Not acceptable. Not for my breakfast.

My Toasting Bread, however, has what it takes. It’s the one I used for my Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast. It’s perfect for a poached egg. With some French butter and honey it’s nirvana. It is neither lavishly artisanal, nor self-consciously healthy multi-grained… But, when you want to start your day – or your year – with nice golden toast, this is the loaf you should make.

~ David

29 Comments

  1. Mad Dog

    December 31, 2022 at 6:45 am

    Excellent! Happy New Year David!

    Reply
  2. Jeff the Chef

    December 31, 2022 at 7:35 am

    I happen love love toast, David. I could eat it all day long. I’ve been known to eat it all day long. And I couldn’t agree with you more: most supermarket-shelf loaves make disappointing toast. (The way you described it as a tea bag and a therapist is brilliant!) You toast looks incredible. I can practically taste the crunch just from looking at the photos. I’ve never made a bread that uses both yeast and baking soda. Interesting. Happy New Year, by the way!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      December 31, 2022 at 8:46 am

      Thanks, Jeff — the baking soda helps make the breads filled with holes for all your butter. 🙂 Glad you are a toast fan! And Happy New Year — wishing you both much happiness and good health in ‘23!

      Reply
  3. Chef Mimi

    December 31, 2022 at 8:22 am

    You should live in the UK! I couldn’t get over how much toast they threw at you in the morning! In every country!!! But it’s not good toast. This looks fabulous! Happiest of New Years to you! (I spelled it right this time.)

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      December 31, 2022 at 8:43 am

      Yes, my experience with toast in the UK was very disappointing, considering how persnickety they are about it. My version is definitely an improvement! Happy New Year to you, as well, and I loved your alternative spelling!

      Reply
  4. Barb

    December 31, 2022 at 9:34 am

    Yum! I’m dreaming of Croque Monsieur made with this bread! Thank you for a year of great recipes and the stunning travelogues you have shared. You are an incredibly talented guy! Happy New Year to you and Mark!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      January 1, 2023 at 7:00 am

      I will definitely need to try this as a Croque Madame (love my eggs!). Thanks for the idea! And Happy New Year to you, as well!

      Reply
  5. Jill Jill

    December 31, 2022 at 9:42 am

    Toast is my favorite…Can’t wait to try. Yummy

    Reply
  6. Peg Peterson

    December 31, 2022 at 2:46 pm

    My kind of toast!! Thanks, David!

    Reply
  7. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com

    December 31, 2022 at 3:47 pm

    David, I usually make two loaves at a time of toasting bread, we love it so much. Eating really good toast is one of life’s sweet moments. Your lovely photos have me wanting to go into the kitchen and make some toast.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      January 1, 2023 at 6:59 am

      And that is exactly why we make one loaf at a time! If we had two, we’d eat both before they had even cooled down!

      Reply
  8. Melissa

    December 31, 2022 at 5:22 pm

    This looks great, and dead easy. I’ll be making a loaf as soon as the New Year’s excess is over.
    I totally agree about the toast in the UK–and the racks they use guarantee that it’s cold by the time it gets to the table.

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      January 1, 2023 at 6:58 am

      Dead easy, for sure! And Mark said almost the exact same thing — exact wording — about UK toast! Happy (excessive) New Year to you and Scott!

      Reply
  9. sherry

    December 31, 2022 at 9:13 pm

    how lovely to bake your own! I don’t make bread often but i like to do the no-knead overnight in the fridge version. Still tastes great. What is chipped beef btw? Happy happy new year!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      January 1, 2023 at 6:56 am

      This is a type of no-knead bread, Sherry. Just not the overnight variety! Chipped beef is really thinly slice — closer to shredded, thus the “chips” of beef. The beef has been cured/preserved so it’s more like a bresaola.

      Reply
  10. Ron

    January 1, 2023 at 12:42 am

    Happy New Year David!
    Outstanding share and I couldn’t agree with you more regarding lousy toast. I’ve never thought of myself as a baker, but I bake bread every Friday. So, my toaster rarely sees commercial bread except a slice or two of panettone during the holiday season. Your recipe is very close to mine except I use less yeast and unfeed sourdough starter. Also, I’ve not tried the baking soda addition, but will. Now, it’s time for my poached eggs and toast…

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      January 1, 2023 at 6:54 am

      Happy New Year, Ron and Eva! Glad you liked the post — will be curious to see how/if the baking soda changes your texture! Enjoy those poached eggs!

      Reply
  11. Ronit

    January 1, 2023 at 11:05 am

    No hangover with this kind of toast!
    The bread looks so good. I love no-knead recipes, so will give it a try soon.
    Happy New Year! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Christina Conte

    January 2, 2023 at 5:34 pm

    That’s a crazy-easy recipe and looks like a phenomenal toasting loaf, David! I will have to give it a try! Happy new year and looking forward to another delicious year!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      January 4, 2023 at 8:27 am

      It is easy, isn’t it? And, as I said — nothing fancy or artisanal. I hope you enjoy it! Happy New Year!

      Reply
  13. Raymund

    January 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm

    Nice one David!
    Happy New Year 🥂🍾🎉

    Reply
  14. 2pots2cook

    January 4, 2023 at 2:15 am

    We’re always in for a tasty loaf of bread; this one, I must do!

    Reply
    • Cocoa & Lavender

      January 4, 2023 at 8:13 am

      And the nice thing about this one, Davorka, is that it’s quite simple!

      Reply
  15. teresa

    March 16, 2023 at 7:15 pm

    Ok, David – I’m trusting you here…. gonna make the bread and PRAY that it turns out right. impressions to follow…

    Reply

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