How to Make Lemon Sourdough French Toast with Summer Berries

The absolute best thing you can do with stale sourdough bread.

Golden, fluffy, and bursting with bright berry flavor—this Blueberry Lemon Sourdough French Toast with Strawberry Compote is the brunch dish you’ll wish you made sooner. It’s the perfect recipe for reviving slightly stale sourdough bread and turning it into something elegant, zesty, and downright dreamy.

When we first posted a photo of this Blueberry Lemon Sourdough French Toast on Instagram, we had no idea it would cause such a stir—but within hours, our inbox was full of messages asking for the recipe! Between the golden edges of the sourdough, the glossy strawberry compote, and that dreamy swirl of lemon whipped cream, it became one of our most-requested brunch posts ever. So naturally, we had to bring it to the blog and share all the delicious details!

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A Mindful (and Budget-Friendly) Brunch

Lately, we’ve been really intentional in the kitchen—finding ways to make recipes that feel comforting and a little special, but without being wasteful or overly expensive. With how things are going in the world right now, it just feels necessary to be more thoughtful with what we use and how we cook. This French toast is one of those little wins: it takes a few slices of sourdough that might otherwise go stale and turns them into something warm, bright, and totally brunch-worthy.

It feels decadent in all the right ways—like something you’d be proud to serve to guests or excited to share with your kids on a weekend morning—yet it’s made from simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. Recipes like this remind us that good food doesn’t have to be expensive to feel fancy or luxurious. A little creativity and a lot of heart go a long way.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just treating yourself on a slow weekend morning, this recipe has everything:

– A brilliant use for leftover sourdough
– Tangy lemon whipped cream that’s not too sweet
– A homemade strawberry compote that balances tart and jammy just right
– Blueberries that burst with every bite
– A cozy-meets-refreshing flavor that makes every bite feel like sunshine ☀️

Oh, and did we mention it’s simple enough for a weekday and beautiful enough for a holiday?

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Pin me for brunch inspo later!

📌 Blueberry Lemon Sourdough French Toast with Strawberry Compote
A zesty, berry-packed French toast that’s perfect for spring and summer mornings!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into each delicious layer of this breakfast masterpiece:

French Toast Ingredients:

• 4–6 slices stale sourdough bread, sliced about ¾-inch thick
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup milk (any kind works)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Pro Tip: Crack your eggs into a bowl, add the salt, and let them sit for a minute or two before whisking in your milk and vanilla. It’s a tiny trick that helps make the fluffiest French toast.

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Strawberry Compote Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled and halved
• 2–3 tbsp honey or maple syrup, to taste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp lemon zest (optional, but recommended!)

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Lemon Whipped Cream Ingredients:

• ¼ cup whipping cream
• A pinch (less than ⅛ tsp) cream of tartar
• ¼ tsp lemon zest
• A dash of vanilla extract (just enough to complement the lemon)

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Toppings:

• ½ cup fresh blueberries
• Powdered sugar, optional for dusting
• Extra lemon zest, if you’re feeling fancy 🍋

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Strawberry Compote

In a small saucepan, add the strawberries, honey or maple syrup, lemon juice, and zest.
Cook over medium heat for about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the berries are softened and syrupy. Remove from heat and set aside.

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2. Whip the Cream

In a cold mixing bowl, whip the cream and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
Gently fold in the lemon zest and just a dash of vanilla. Don’t overdo it—you want the lemon to shine!

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3. Prep the French Toast Batter

In a shallow dish, whisk the eggs with the pinch of salt and let sit for a minute.
Then add the milk and vanilla, whisking until smooth.

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4. Dip and Cook

Heat a buttered skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat.
Dip each slice of sourdough into the egg mixture, letting it soak for 10–15 seconds per side.
Place onto the hot pan and cook until golden brown on each side, about 2–3 minutes.

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5. Assemble Your Masterpiece

Place 1–2 slices of French toast on each plate.
Top with a generous spoonful of strawberry compote, a dollop of lemon whipped cream, and fresh blueberries.
Dust with powdered sugar and a sprinkle of lemon zest if desired.

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Serving Suggestions

This dish is delightful all on its own, but it pairs beautifully with:

• A lavender latte or honey-lemon tea
• A side of scrambled eggs or crispy hash browns
• A light green salad if you’re going for a brunch spread

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More Breakfast Recipes to Try

If you’re loving this French toast as much as we do, you might want to explore a few more breakfast favorites from the blog! Whether you’re craving something sweet, savory, or a little of both, here are some cozy options to round out your next brunch:

• The Secret to High Protein Avocado Toast – Creamy, satisfying, and surprisingly protein-packed, this avocado toast recipe is perfect if you’re after a more savory start to your morning.
• Fluffy Pancakes with Strawberry Compote – Just like our French toast, this one features a fruity compote and fluffy textures—ideal if you’re looking to keep the brunch vibes going strong.
• Easy Biscoff Pancakes – Sweet, spiced, and irresistibly soft, these pancakes are the ultimate cozy treat. Think warm weekend mornings with coffee and cinnamon sugar dreams.
• Goat Cheese Omelette – Light, creamy, and just the right touch of fancy. This one’s great when you want something a little more elegant (and still totally doable for a weekday breakfast).

No matter what you’re in the mood for, these recipes are simple, satisfying, and made to bring a little joy to your morning.

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FAQ

Can I use a different kind of bread?

Yes! Brioche, challah, or even French baguette will work, but the sourdough adds a lovely tang that complements the berries and lemon.

Can I make this ahead?

The compote and whipped cream can be made the night before—just rewarm the compote slightly before serving.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or skillet for best results.

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Final Forkful

This Blueberry Lemon Sourdough French Toast with Strawberry Compote might just be the brunch recipe you didn’t know you needed. It’s elegant without being fussy, sweet without being too sugary, and the perfect way to use up a loaf of sourdough that’s gone a little dry. Basically, it’s sunshine on a plate.

Let us know if you get a chance to try it out, and what you think. We are always looking for your feedback to be sure we are bringing you the recipes you want to try. Do you have an idea for a recipe but not too sure how to bring it to light? Shoot us a message, lets chat about it!

Much love,

Sidney & Thomas