Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe

Introduction

Crème Brûlée French Toast is a decadent twist on a breakfast classic, combining the creamy custard richness of crème brûlée with the comforting texture of French toast. Perfect for special mornings, this recipe offers a crispy caramelized top and soft, custardy bread beneath.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread (12-14 slices)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or nutmeg)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut the brioche or challah into thick slices and arrange them evenly in a greased baking dish.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Step 3: Pour the custard mixture over the bread slices, gently pressing them down so they soak up the liquid. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for best results.
4. Step 4: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
5. Step 5: Take the baking dish out of the refrigerator and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and the custard is set. For an extra crispy top, broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle a thin layer of sugar evenly over the top. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, golden crust. If you don’t have a torch, place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye.
7. Step 7: Allow the French toast to cool slightly before serving. Optionally, top with fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Tips & Variations

• For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk and heavy cream with almond or oat milk and coconut cream.
• Use vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract for a more intense vanilla flavor.
• Adding a pinch of nutmeg along with cinnamon enhances the warm spice profile.
• If you don’t have a kitchen torch, broiling the sugar carefully works just as well for caramelizing.
• Use day-old bread for better absorption and texture, but fresh bread can work if soaked longer.

Storage

Store leftover crème brûlée French toast covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) to help preserve the caramelized topping. Avoid microwaving to maintain the crispy crust.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this French toast the night before?

Yes, soaking the bread overnight in the custard mixture in the refrigerator helps deepen the flavor and improve texture.

What can I use if I don’t have a kitchen torch to brûlée the sugar?

You can place the sprinkled sugar under the oven broiler for 1-2 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning.

Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe

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5 from 72 reviews

Indulge in a luxurious Crème Brûlée French Toast that combines the rich custardy texture of classic French toast with a crispy caramelized sugar topping. Made with thick slices of brioche or challah soaked in a creamy vanilla-cinnamon custard and baked to perfection, this decadent breakfast treat is finished with a brûléed sugar crust for an irresistible crunch.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes (plus optional soaking time overnight)
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

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Bread

• 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread (12–14 slices)

Custard

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or nutmeg)
• Pinch of salt

Topping

• Sugar (for caramelizing)
• Fresh berries (optional, for serving)
• Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
• Maple syrup (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Bread: Cut the brioche or challah into thick slices and arrange them evenly in a greased baking dish to create the base for soaking.
2. Make the Custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
3. Soak the Bread: Pour the custard evenly over the arranged bread slices, pressing gently to ensure the bread absorbs the custard fully. Cover the dish and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes or preferably overnight to allow deep flavor infusion.
4. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
5. Bake the French Toast: Remove the custard-soaked bread from the refrigerator and place it in the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully set. Optionally, you can broil the top for 2-3 minutes to enhance crispness and browning.
6. Brûlée the Top: Evenly sprinkle a thin layer of sugar over the baked French toast. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar to form a crispy and glossy crust. Alternatively, place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
7. Serve: Allow the Crème Brûlée French Toast to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a drizzle of maple syrup if desired for extra indulgence.

Notes

• For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk and heavy cream with almond or oat milk and use a dairy-free creamer.
• Soaking the bread overnight enhances flavor and texture for a richer custard infusion.
• If you don’t have a kitchen torch, use the broiler carefully to caramelize the sugar topping.
• Thick slices of brioche or challah are ideal because they absorb the custard well without falling apart.
• Adjust the sweetness by using brown sugar for a deeper flavor or reducing sugar to your taste.

Keywords: Crème Brûlée French Toast, baked French toast, custard soaked bread, brioche French toast, caramelized sugar topping, brunch recipe, decadent breakfast