Description
Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a rich and elegant breakfast dish where custard-soaked bread bakes into a golden, caramelized masterpiece. Prepared the night before, it blends the flavors of classic French toast with the indulgent touch of crème brûlée, perfect for relaxed mornings or brunch celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Caramel Base:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup (optional)
For the French Toast Layer:
- 1 loaf brioche, challah, or French bread (day-old preferred), sliced 1–1.5 inches thick
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or nutmeg
Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh berries
- Powdered sugar
- Maple syrup
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- In a saucepan, melt butter and mix in brown sugar and corn syrup until smooth and bubbling.
- Pour mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and let cool slightly.
- Lay sliced bread on top of the caramel layer in a single layer.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla, salt, and optional spices.
- Pour custard over bread, pressing slices gently to soak.
- Cover dish and refrigerate overnight (8–12 hours).
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and let the dish sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes.
- Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until golden and set.
- Rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Add optional toppings as desired.