Toast
This recipe for perfectly toasted Toast is the best thing since, well, sliced bread.
Butter optional, but highly recommended.
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Today’s post wouldn’t be possible without the caveman. You see, our ancestors in the Stone Age (literally the Stone Age) discovered that bread and water mixed together could be baked on hot rocks to create flatbread. That was awesome, and I imagine many delicious dinosaur tacos were had by all.
But then one especially smart caveman left his or her ‘dough’ out too long and discovered that it expanded. Say what!? Yup, that dough attracted wild yeast from the air which in turn leavened (or ‘proofed’) the dough. Hello, bread. The world hasn’t been the same since. Indeed, bread was used as a form of currency in ancient Egypt and Rome. Heck, I might work for bread now…but only if it’s a really good loaf!
The next great step forward for mankind occurred when the Romans realized they could make old slices of bread edible again by toasting them near an open fire. Indeed, toast comes from the Latin word ‘torreo, torrere, torrui, tostum’ meaning ‘to scorch.’ And, once again, the history of food changed forever.
In 1893, an electric toaster oven was invented by a Scotsman named Alan MacMasters, but it wasn’t terribly popular. The concept was good but the execution was poor. The iron wiring in MacMasters’ toaster oven often melted and set flame to the bread…and everything else nearby. However, about 20 years later, (my metallurgist wife loves this part of the story) several metallurgists in Chicago created a fire-resistant alloy. And with that, I bring you the greatest thing since sliced bread: Toast.
The Perfect Slice of Toast
If you happened to be paying attention to Twitter back around Christmas 2017, then you might have noticed a major Twitter debate over this photo below.
How do you slice your toast? This photo gave 3 options, and it led to an incredible virtual argument in the Twittersphere. Most folks generally accepted option #1, with #2 and #3 causing a great deal of angst. As one person put it, “Finding out that there are people who cut their toast on the slice of bread’s horizon is making me really nervous. These people have been walking the earth amongst us and I’ve never known.” To which another nugget of Twitter wisdom arose: “People who slice their toast like number 3 will murder you in your sleep.”
I personally say if you’re serving said toast to a 3-year old (or making grilled cheese sandwiches), then slice it in triangles. Otherwise, leave it whole or slice it in half like #2.
How to Cook Toast in the Oven
No toaster oven? No problem! You can absolutely toast bread in the oven – and it’s a great way to make a whole bunch of toast at once. To make toast in an oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place bread in a single layer in oven – either on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping the bread over halfway through. For lighter color, remove it sooner. For darker color, leave it in the oven a bit longer.
Another way to cook toast in the oven is by using the broiler. This method works – but it requires you to pay very close attention. The broiler can take toast from perfect golden brown to burnt in a matter of seconds. If you do want to use the broiler, place the bread on a sheet pan. Put the sheet pan on a rack closest to the broiler and turn broiler on. Broil for 2-3 minutes; flip halfway through. As noted, keep a close eye on the bread if using the broiler! No one likes totally black toast – well, at least not me. Cheers!
On a side note, we’ve been using this toaster oven for almost 10 years now – it’s a workhorse of a kitchen appliance! Everything from toast to roasted broccoli to chicken nuggets have gone through that thing!
Toast Toppings
Once you’ve achieved that perfect slice of toast, then you have another decision to make. What do you put on top? For me, cinnamon toast or butter with a bit of blackberry jam will always be my go-to’s. However, I’ll go savory flavor with a scrambled egg and a bit of shredded cheese, too. Peanut butter, honey or Nutella are also excellent options for toast. And we can’t leave out the classic garlic bread!
Did you make this Toast at home? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog).
Looking for more recipes using bread? Check out these favorites:
Grilled Jerk Chicken Sandwich
Southern Meatloaf Sandwiches
Sous Vide Steak Sandwiches
Thai Peanut Hummus Toast
Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
Oh, and Happy April Fool’s Day, my friends!
Toast
Ingredients
- 2 slices of bread
Instructions
- Place both slices of bread into oven, toaster oven or skillet.
- Cook until toast reaches desired degree of doneness.
- If feeling really adventurous, add a bit of butter to toast while it’s still hot.
- {optional} Slice toast before serving.
Notes
Oh my goodness! I never knew one needed a recipe for making toast! However, when I was in 7th grade we did learn to make cinnamon toast in the oven. I remember thinking – oh dear, we are making toast! 🙂 I think you need a 4th option for cutting – leaving it whole! That’s how I like to eat my toast.
Ah, you make an excellent point about whole toast, Kathy. That’s actually how I eat mine, too! A piece of buttered toast is simple, but delicious…no matter whether it’s April Fools Day or not! 🙂
THIS IS THE BEST HAHA!!!
🙂 Thanks, Alexandra!!
What a fun toast, no I mean post. When I saw the name “Toast” come up in my email I immediately thought of the Mark Kurlansky book, Salt: A World History. Maybe you should write a book called TOAST: The Rest Is History. Me, I like to mix it up and cut my toast a bit different every time or sometimes not at all.
Hahaha. I actually know that book you refer to here, Ron. It’s on my Amazon wishlist. (We won’t talk about how long it’s been sitting out there, though. I love to read, but my reading time has been reduced quite a bit lately.) Toast: The Rest is History sounds like a fun book to write. I shall start right now. 🙂
I. Have. No. Words. A recipe for toast? April Fool!
Haha! Thanks, Terri! 🙂 Hope you had a very happy April Fool’s Day, my friend. And thanks for your continued support of my site. It means a lot to me!!
I’m DYING! It took me a second to realize what day it is and in that second I was like “David lost his mind” :). Could we make this a series please? Maybe next April Fools’ we could learn about boiling water? And I’m firmly in the cut my bread diagonally camp. It tastes better that way, whether you’re 3 or somewhere north of that!
To be fair, April Fool’s Day and “David lost his mind” are totally independent events. Some days I do think I’ve lost my mind. I mean I was just stomping through the house roaring like a dinosaur…at 6:45am. (Little Ethel ran the other way when she saw me coming!)
Ooo…boiling water. I’m stealing that idea for next year! Also, I understand your logic about diagonal bread. It’s like cutting veggies on the bias. It just makes it look fancier! 🙂 Thanks, Kelsie!
I second Kelsie! I was like ‘toast???’ Huh? I mean, ok. LOL. Good one for April Fool’s! My nan always tries to get everyone every year, but we’re onto her now. Hilarious! Oh, and definitely need some butter…and maybe some Cheez Whiz…can’t quit that stuff 😉 Happy Monday David and thanks for the laugh!
That’s the problem with April Fool’s Day. It’s fun to prank folks, but you gotta be careful. If you prank people every year, then they learn to expect it! So butter and Cheez Whiz, eh? Is that an April Fool’s Day joke of your own? Haha! I think I need to see a recipe for that, Dawn. I’m having a hard time picturing it. 🙂
David, you cannot believe how relevant this post is! I’ve been looking for this recipe for years. It’s embarrassing to admit a perfect toast is something I need to master yet, and I believe that with your guidelines I will handle it. Of course this recipe is a little complicated for my level, so I might need to ask you a couple of additional questions, if you don’t mind. Also, please do share the recipe for a hard-boiled egg and a perfect peanut butter toast, too. P.S. Happy April Fool’s day! 🙂
HELP! Your recipe isn’t working! I put bread into my toaster for 15 minutes, and it turned into a piece of coal. What am I doing wrong? Is it the problem with my toaster? Also, before making the second batch, I buttered the bread before placing to the toaster (To save time), and you know what? The kitchen was full of smoke before the desired doneness. Also, your recipe doesn’t say what kind of butter should I use, salted or unsalted? Please respond ASAP because I’m starving and running out of the bread!
Ah! You have totally identified sources of ambiguity in the recipe, Ben. For that, I apologize. I feel terrible about the coal bread, but on a side note…now you can use that to light a fire outside. 🙂
Ah! I am glad I came through at exactly the right time here, Ben! I hope these instructions are easy enough to follow. Toast is a tricky one, but I have full faith that you can get there with determination and a few loaves of bread. 🙂
Love this! Going to have to try this TOAST for once. I’ve heard of it. But never made it. Hmmm.
It’s a unique recipe for sure, Laura. And it’s one that not everyone will love. The flavors can be kinda odd until you train your tastebuds a bit. I have full faith that you will enjoy this toast, though. Just make sure to take 2 bites. It’s not fair to judge it after just 1 bite! 🙂
Hi David! I haven’t had a lot to smile about lately, but this post made me laugh until my belly hurt!! Thank you my friend. Every morning when I make Gary breakfast I will be smiling!
Awww, thanks, Dorothy! 🙂 That comment made me smile right back, and for that this entire post was worth it’s weight in gold. (Well, technically, the post doesn’t weigh anything…but you get my point!) Hang in there, my friend! I think about you and Gary quite often.
Hilarious, David! LOVE it! 😀
Haha! Thanks, Valentina! 🙂
Duuude – when this popped up in my inbox, I was reminded of that post on boiling water that Mike (The Iron You) shared many moons ago – then I thought this was an April Fools Day prank… but then I got to thinking – bread, something I take for granted has such a rich and interesting history that you have documented so well!
Haha! You make a good point, Shashi. This was indeed an April Fool’s Day joke, but bread really does have a long and interesting history. I personally find it fascinating! I also really love toast. 🙂
You got me on this one, David! I figured out it was an April Fool’s joke when I saw it on Instagram. Then I came over here and saw there was an actual post. I thought…uh oh, maybe I was wrong. You got me twice! But leave it up to you, my friend, to tell a good story about toast! 🙂
Hah! I go all in on my pranks, Kelly. 🙂 I mean the Instagram was just the teaser to the actual post. Haha. I actually had a lot of fun writing this post…even if it was just about toast!
omg, David. You totally got me on this one, lol! But that toast does look perfectly toasted!!
Haha! I’ve had this idea up my sleeve for a couple of years, but I finally decided to do it this year! 🙂
Just catching up David (as usual!). I actually thought this was a serious recipe! Ha ha ha. Happy belated April Fools Day. Nice one! 😉
Haha! I love a good April Fool’s Day joke. Thanks, Neil! 🙂
A real classic, I remember how I wanted to run to the kitchen early in the morning to taste those perfect crispy square slices 😮 though I prefer to use a regular toaster, but I liked your recipe a lot too, thank you very much:)
Haha – thanks, Cindy! You can’t ever go wrong with toast…well, unless you burn it. 🙂