Creme Brulee French Toast Casserole Recipe
This Creme Brulee French Toast Casserole is a decadent breakfast dish featuring tender French bread soaked overnight in a rich vanilla custard, topped with a buttery caramel base. Baked to golden perfection, it combines the creamy custard texture of creme brulee with the comforting warmth of French toast, perfect for a special morning treat or holiday brunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: overnight plus 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients
Scale
Caramel Base
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp corn syrup
French Toast
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch slices
Custard
- 5 large eggs
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Caramel Base: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter along with the packed brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and bubbly, which should take about 3-4 minutes. Once ready, pour this caramel mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to create a rich sweet base.
- Arrange the Bread: Place the 1-inch slices of French bread in a single layer over the caramel sauce in the baking dish. Slightly overlap the slices if necessary to cover the entire dish.
- Prepare the Custard: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, salt, and ground cinnamon if using. Make sure the custard mixture is well combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the arranged bread slices, ensuring each slice is fully soaked.
- Chill Overnight: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and let the baking dish sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the top becomes golden brown and the custard is set firmly.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes after baking. Then invert each slice carefully so the caramel side is on top for serving. Serve warm, garnished with fresh berries or a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Using day-old French bread helps prevent the casserole from becoming too soggy.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the whole milk with almond or oat milk, but be mindful this may slightly alter the texture.
- The cinnamon is optional but adds a lovely warm spice that complements the caramel flavor.
- For an extra caramelized top, sprinkle sugar on top and use a kitchen torch briefly after baking.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
Keywords: Creme Brulee French Toast Casserole, baked French toast, caramel breakfast casserole, holiday brunch recipes, overnight French toast
