Description
Indulge in the rich, caramelized goodness of Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast! This make-ahead breakfast combines the creamy decadence of crème brûlée with the comforting texture of baked French toast. Soaked in a luscious custard overnight, the bread absorbs all the flavors, creating a soft, custard-like center with a crisp, caramelized sugar topping. Perfect for holidays, brunches, or any special morning treat!
Ingredients
Scale
For the French Toast:
- 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, sliced thick
- 6 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Caramelized Topping:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp corn syrup or honey
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for brûlée topping)
Optional Garnishes:
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- Whipped cream
- Maple syrup
Instructions
-
Prepare the Caramel Base:
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until smooth.
- Pour the caramel mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
-
Prepare the Custard:
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
-
Assemble the French Toast:
- Arrange the bread slices over the caramel layer in a single layer, slightly overlapping if needed.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, making sure all slices are coated.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours).
-
Bake the French Toast:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown and set.
-
Caramelize the Sugar Topping:
- Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over the baked toast.
- Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until golden and crispy. If you don’t have a torch, broil the dish in the oven for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
-
Serve & Enjoy:
- Let the French toast rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh berries, powdered sugar, or whipped cream, and drizzle with maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- Best Bread Choices: Brioche and challah work best for a soft yet sturdy texture.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare this dish up to 24 hours in advance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Brunch
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 180mg