Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe

Introduction

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a decadent twist on a classic breakfast favorite. This recipe combines creamy custard-soaked bread with a crisp, caramelized sugar topping for a delightful texture and rich flavor. Perfect for making ahead and impressing guests or treating yourself to a special morning.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread, sliced 1-inch thick
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for topping)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• Maple syrup, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the French bread slices in a single layer, slightly overlapping if necessary.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth and well-combined.
3. Step 3: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, ensuring every slice is thoroughly coated. Use a spatula or your hands to gently press the bread into the custard.
4. Step 4: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and discard the plastic wrap. Dot the bread with small pieces of butter and sprinkle a light layer of sugar over the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the French toast is puffed and golden.
6. Step 6: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool slightly. Sprinkle an even layer of granulated sugar on top of the bread. Use a kitchen torch or the broiler setting on your oven to caramelize the sugar until it is golden and crisp.
7. Step 7: Allow the French toast to cool for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with maple syrup and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use day-old French bread for better custard absorption and texture.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute half-and-half and milk with coconut milk or almond milk.
• Add fresh berries or sliced bananas on top just before serving for a fruity twist.
• If you don’t have a kitchen torch, broil the sugar topping carefully, watching closely to avoid burning.

Storage

Store any leftover French toast covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through to help maintain the crispness of the caramelized top. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this recipe without overnight soaking?

While you can bake the French toast immediately after soaking for 30 minutes, letting it soak overnight yields a richer, custardy texture and deeper flavor, so overnight is recommended.

What can I use if I don’t have half-and-half?

You can substitute half-and-half with equal parts whole milk and heavy cream to maintain the creamy richness of the custard.

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 124 reviews

This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe combines the richness of a classic crème brûlée custard with the comforting texture of baked French toast. The bread soaks overnight in a creamy mixture of eggs, milk, and warm spices, then is baked until golden and finished with a crisp caramelized sugar topping. Perfect for a special breakfast or brunch, it pairs beautifully with maple syrup for a sweet, indulgent treat.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 8 hours 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread, sliced 1-inch thick
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for topping)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• Maple syrup, for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking dish: Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the French bread slices in a single layer, slightly overlapping if necessary, to create an even base for the custard soak.
2. Make the custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, whole milk, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined.
3. Soak the bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the arranged bread slices, making sure every slice is well-coated. Gently press the bread down into the custard using a spatula or your hands to help it absorb the mixture fully.
4. Refrigerate overnight: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the bread to soak up the custard flavors and soften thoroughly, giving the dish its custardy texture.
5. Bake the French toast: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the dish from the refrigerator and discard the plastic wrap. Dot the top of the custard-soaked bread with small pieces of butter and sprinkle a light layer of granulated sugar evenly over the top. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the French toast is puffed, set, and has a golden surface.
6. Caramelize the sugar topping: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for several minutes. Sprinkle an even layer of granulated sugar on top of the French toast. Using a kitchen torch or your oven’s broiler setting, carefully caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, golden-brown crust reminiscent of crème brûlée.
7. Serve: Allow the French toast to cool slightly before serving. Drizzle with maple syrup as desired and enjoy this decadent, custardy breakfast treat.

Notes

• Using a crusty French bread ensures the slices hold up well during soaking and baking without becoming too soggy.
• If you don’t have half-and-half, you can substitute with a mixture of equal parts whole milk and heavy cream.
• Make sure to use a kitchen torch carefully, or keep a close eye under the broiler to avoid burning the caramelized sugar topping.
• You can prepare this dish a day ahead to save time on the morning of serving.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven or toaster oven to preserve texture.

Keywords: overnight French toast, crème brûlée French toast, baked French toast, custard soaked bread, caramelized sugar topping, brunch recipes