Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
This Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe combines the richness of traditional crème brûlée with the comfort of French toast. Slices of brioche or challah bread are soaked in a creamy custard mixture, baked to perfection, and topped with a caramelized sugar crust for a decadent breakfast or brunch treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes to overnight (including soaking time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread (12–14 slices)
Custard Mixture
- 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
- Prepare the Bread: Cut the brioche or challah into thick slices and arrange them evenly in a greased baking dish to ensure they don’t stick.
- Make the Custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until the custard mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture over the arranged bread slices, gently pressing them down to soak in the custard evenly. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to absorb the custard fully.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat thoroughly to ensure even baking.
- Bake the French Toast: Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the custard is set and the top has developed a beautiful golden-brown color. For an extra crispy top, you can broil the French toast for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Brûlée the Top: Evenly sprinkle a thin layer of sugar over the baked French toast’s surface. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it forms a crispy, golden crust. Alternatively, place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve the desired caramelization.
- Serve: Allow the crème brûlée French toast to cool slightly before serving. Enhance the dish by topping with fresh berries, a light dusting of powdered sugar, and a drizzle of pure maple syrup if desired.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk and heavy cream with almond or oat milk and coconut cream.
- Soaking the bread overnight intensifies the custard flavor and improves texture.
- Use challah or brioche bread for best results due to their rich and soft texture.
- When brûlée-ing the sugar on top, watch carefully to avoid burning the caramel.
- Serve with fresh fruits or a dollop of whipped cream for added indulgence.
Keywords: Crème Brûlée French Toast, French toast recipe, baked French toast, brunch, breakfast, custard soaked bread, caramelized sugar topping
Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/creme-brulee-french-toast-recipe/
