creme brulee french toast

Discover a decadent, make-ahead breakfast that will transform your mornings. This Overnight Creme Brûlée French Toast Bake is perfect for holidays, brunches, or any special occasion. You’ll enjoy a rich, custardy French toast with an irresistible crisp caramel topping. It’s guaranteed delicious, never soggy, and surprisingly easy to prepare the night before.

Why You’ll Love This Creme Brûlée French Toast

This recipe for creme-brulee-french-toast makes entertaining a breeze and brings gourmet flair to your table. Here’s why it’s a must-try:

• Effortless Overnight Prep: Assemble the night before, then simply bake fresh in the morning.
• Irresistible Caramelized Topping: It boasts a sweet, crunchy “brûlée” layer that guests adore.
• Perfectly Custardy Interior: The bread soaks up the rich flavors without ever becoming mushy.
• A True Crowd-Pleaser: Impress your family and guests with minimal fuss.
• Simple, Accessible Ingredients: Uses everyday pantry staples for truly gourmet results.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your amazing creme-brulee-french-toast bake:

• Caramel Layer:
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or corn syrup/pancake syrup)
• French Toast:
  • 6 to 8 1-inch thick slices stale French bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
• For Serving:
  • Sweetened whipped cream
  • Fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries)

Notes & Substitutions

Bread Choice: For the best creme-brulee-french-toast, always use day-old bread like French bread, brioche, challah, or a sturdy sourdough. This prevents sogginess. Dairy Options: Half-and-half provides a luxurious richness; whole milk or unsweetened non-dairy alternatives like oat milk also work well. Sweetener Variety: Experiment with different syrups for the caramel, such as honey or agave nectar. Flavor Boosts: For extra warmth, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the egg mixture.

Equipment

You won’t need many special tools for this delightful creme-brulee-french-toast bake. Gather these kitchen essentials:

• Microwave-safe bowl
• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Whisk
• Liquid measuring cup
• Sharp knife (for bread)
• Large, flat spatula (for serving/flipping)

Instructions

Creating this amazing creme-brulee-french-toast is a breeze with these step-by-step instructions. Remember, the overnight soak is key for that perfect texture.

1. Prepare Caramel: Add butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Stir well to combine. You can also do this step in a pan on the stove over low heat.
2. Coat Pan: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Spread the melted brown sugar mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan. This creates your signature caramel layer.
3. Arrange Bread: Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer over the caramel mixture in the pan. Try to cover the bottom as evenly as possible.
4. Whisk Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl or a large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, and salt until thoroughly combined and smooth. This is your rich custard base.
5. Pour & Soak: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the baking pan. Ensure all the bread pieces are well saturated with the custard. Gently press down any floating bread pieces if needed.
6. Chill Overnight: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate for 8 to 10 hours, or overnight. This crucial step allows the bread to fully soak up the custard, creating that incredible custardy interior for your creme-brulee-french-toast.
7. Preheat & Bake: The next morning, remove the covered pan from the refrigerator. Place it directly into a cold oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Starting in a cold oven helps prevent thermal shock to glass pans and promotes more even baking.
8. Bake to Golden Perfection: Once the oven reaches temperature, bake for 30-35 minutes. Look for the bread to be golden brown and the caramelly syrup bubbling around the edges.
   • Optional Flip: For a truly show-stopping caramelized top, bake for 20 minutes, then carefully remove the pan. Using a large, flat spatula, gently flip the bread pieces over. Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes until golden and deeply caramelized on the top.
9. Serve Warm: Remove the pan from the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Cut into squares and use your spatula to scrape up all the gooey, delicious caramel from the bottom of the pan with each serving. Enjoy your perfect creme-brulee-french-toast warm!

Pro Tips for Perfect Creme Brûlée French Toast

Achieve bakery-worthy results every time with these simple pro tips for your creme-brulee-french-toast.

• Stale Bread is Key: Always use day-old or slightly stale bread. Understanding the science of bread can help improve your baking and prevent your French toast from becoming soggy, as stale bread absorbs the custard much better.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Arrange the bread cubes in a single, even layer. Overcrowding can lead to uneven baking and prevent proper caramelization.
• Cold Oven Start: Placing your French toast bake in a cold oven before preheating promotes even cooking and reduces the risk of thermal shock for glass pans. To ensure safety and even cooking when using glass bakeware, consider the impact of thermal shock in bakeware.
• Check Doneness: Your French toast is done when the edges are golden brown and the caramel layer is visibly bubbling. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean.
• Serving Warm: The caramel layer is best when warm and gooey. Allow the dish to cool slightly before serving to avoid burns from the hot caramel.
• Flipping Trick: If you prefer the crisp caramel on top, flip the French toast halfway through baking as instructed. This delivers that stunning “brûlée” finish.

Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Variations

Make this creme-brulee-french-toast your own with these ideas, and learn how to best store any leftovers.

Serving Ideas

• Classic Toppings: Drizzle with extra pure maple syrup, a dollop of sweetened whipped cream, and a handful of fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries.
• Syrup Drizzle: A little extra maple syrup, warm fruit compote, or a dusting of powdered sugar adds elegance.
• Savory Contrast: Serve alongside crispy bacon, savory breakfast sausage, or fluffy scrambled eggs for a complete meal.

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Store any cooled creme-brulee-french-toast leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through, or reheat in a preheated oven (300°F/150°C) for about 10-15 minutes.

Variations

• Nutty Crunch: For added texture and flavor, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the caramel layer before adding the bread.
• Fruity Twist: Layer thinly sliced bananas, peaches, or apples with the bread cubes for a burst of fruitiness.
• Chocolate Indulgence: Sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips over the bread before pouring the custard mixture for a decadent treat.
• Spiced Delights: Enhance the flavor profile by adding a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, or pumpkin spice to the egg mixture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Easily make this recipe dairy-free by substituting the half-and-half with unsweetened oat milk or full-fat coconut cream.

Nutrition Information

This creme-brulee-french-toast offers a delightful balance for your morning meal.

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to common questions about making creme-brulee-french-toast.

• Why is it called “Creme Brûlée” French Toast? It gets its name from the crisp, caramelized sugar crust that forms at the bottom or top, resembling the classic French dessert.
• Can I use fresh bread? While you can, stale bread is highly recommended. It absorbs the custard better and prevents your French toast from becoming soggy.
• Can I bake it right after preparing, without chilling overnight? Overnight chilling is crucial for the bread to fully absorb the custard, leading to the best flavor and a wonderfully custardy texture. Don’t skip this step.
• How do I prevent soggy French toast? Using stale bread, ensuring a single layer, and properly soaking it overnight are the key steps to avoiding a soggy result.

Conclusion

Embrace the ease and elegance of this Overnight Creme Brûlée French Toast Bake for your next special breakfast. With minimal morning effort, you’ll present a truly unforgettable breakfast experience, from effortless prep to a stunning plate. Gather your loved ones and make your next morning extraordinary with this delicious, make-ahead delight.

Creme Brûlée French Toast

This delightful overnight Creme Brûlée French Toast Bake features thick slices of French bread soaked in a rich egg custard, topped with a caramelized brown sugar and maple syrup mixture, then baked to golden perfection. It's an ideal make-ahead breakfast for a special occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 7 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 42 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

French Toast

• 6 tablespoons butter
• ¾ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, corn syrup or pancake syrup
• 6 to 8 slices French bread 1-inch thick, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For Serving

• Sweetened whipped cream
• fresh strawberries/raspberries

Equipment

• Microwave-safe bowl
• 9X13-inch pan
• Cooking spray
• Bowl or liquid measuring cup
• Whisk
• Oven
• Large, flat spatula

Method

 

Preparation

1. Melt butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a microwave-safe bowl for 1-2 minutes until dissolved, stirring to combine; this can also be done on the stove.
2. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch pan with cooking spray.
3. Spread the brown sugar mixture evenly in the bottom of the pan, then arrange the bread cubes in a single layer over it.
4. In a bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, and salt.
5. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread in the pan.
6. Cover the pan and refrigerate for 8 to 10 hours, or overnight.
7. The next day, remove the pan from the refrigerator, uncover, and place it directly into a cold oven.
8. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake for 30-35 minutes once it reaches temperature, until the bread is golden and the caramelly syrup is bubbling.
9. Serve warm with sweetened whipped cream and fresh raspberries or strawberries.

Notes

This recipe is perfect for entertaining as it can be prepared the night before. For extra caramelization on top, you can flip the french toast pieces during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.