Crème Brûlée French Toast is a decadent twist on the classic breakfast favorite, combining thick, fluffy slices of bread soaked in a rich custard mixture and topped with a crispy, caramelized brûlée sugar crust. This elegant dish brings the luxurious flavors of crème brûlée to your brunch table, making it perfect for special mornings or holidays.
Why You’ll Love Crème Brûlée French Toast
- It pairs the creamy, custardy texture of crème brûlée with the comfort of French toast.
- The caramelized sugar crust adds a deliciously crunchy texture contrast.
- It can be made the night before, making it perfect for entertaining.
- Versatile enough to serve plain or with fruit, whipped cream, or syrup.
- Impresses guests with its restaurant-quality flair yet is simple to prepare.
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 slices of thick-cut French bread or brioche
- 4 to 6 large eggs (or egg yolks depending on recipe)
- 1 ½ to 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup brown sugar (for caramel base)
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup or maple syrup
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (for brûlée topping)
- Butter for greasing and cooking
- Optional: orange liqueur (Grand Marnier), cinnamon, fresh berries, whipped cream
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup; spread this caramel base evenly in the baking dish.
- Cut the bread into thick slices or cubes and arrange over the caramel base in a single layer.
- In a bowl, whisk eggs, cream, vanilla, and optional liqueur and cinnamon until smooth.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, pressing gently so it absorbs fully.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best custard penetration.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until the custard is set and bread is golden.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over the top and use a kitchen torch to caramelize until sugar is golden and crisp.
- Serve immediately with whipped cream, fresh berries, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Indulgent Crème Brûlée French Toast
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Rich and creamy Crème Brûlée French Toast with a crispy caramelized sugar crust—perfect for special breakfasts or holiday brunches.
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 slices thick-cut brioche or French bread
- 4 to 6 large eggs
- 1½ to 2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup or maple syrup
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (for brûlée topping)
- Butter for greasing
- Optional: orange liqueur, cinnamon, fresh berries, whipped cream
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup; spread evenly in dish.
3. Arrange bread slices over caramel base in a single layer.
4. Whisk eggs, cream, vanilla, and optional liqueur/cinnamon until smooth.
5. Pour custard evenly over bread, pressing gently.
6. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
7. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until custard is set and golden.
8. Sprinkle granulated sugar on top and caramelize with a kitchen torch.
9. Serve immediately with whipped cream and fresh berries.
Notes
Soaking bread overnight improves flavor and custard richness.
Use a kitchen torch for best brûlée crust; broil cautiously if unavailable.
Store leftovers in airtight container and reheat in oven or air fryer.
Reapply sugar and torch before serving leftovers for fresh crust.
Pair with perfectly poached eggs or moist banana nut bread for balanced brunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: French, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 230mg
How to Serve Crème Brûlée French Toast
Serve this French toast warm as a centerpiece of a luxurious breakfast or brunch. To elevate your meal:
- Plate individual slices and add a dollop of freshly whipped cream or mascarpone.
- Garnish with a handful of fresh berries such as strawberries or raspberries for a bright and fresh contrast.
- Drizzle with warm maple syrup or a light dusting of powdered sugar.
- Pair with perfectly poached eggs for added protein and texture balance, a great savory complement to this sweet dish.
- For a hearty brunch spread, offer alongside moist and cozy banana nut bread as a bread basket alternative or dessert.
How to Store Crème Brûlée French Toast
- Cool completely before storing leftovers.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Reheat slices in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or in the air fryer for 5 minutes until warmed.
- For the crunchy brûlée topping, reapply granulated sugar and torch before serving fresh after reheating.
- To freeze, wrap portions tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator before reheating.
Tips to Make Crème Brûlée French Toast
- Use thick-cut brioche or French bread for best custard absorption and texture.
- Soak the bread overnight for a moist and rich custard center.
- Use a kitchen culinary torch for that perfect brûlée crust; if unavailable, broil briefly watching carefully.
- Add a splash of orange liqueur in the custard for a subtle citrus flair.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free brioche or bread alternatives.
- Brush butter on the bread before soaking to add richness and prevent sogginess.
- Keep the custard mixture smooth by whisking thoroughly and straining before pouring over bread.
Variations of Crème Brûlée French Toast
- Strawberry Coconut Crème Brûlée: Add shredded coconut to custard and top with fresh strawberries.
- Pumpkin Spice Crème Brûlée: Incorporate pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spices in the custard for fall flavor.
- Salted Caramel Crème Brûlée: Drizzle warm salted caramel sauce over the finished dish.
- Vegan Version: Substitute eggs with silken tofu or commercial egg replacer and use coconut cream.
- Mini Casseroles: Make individual ramekins instead of a large casserole for personal servings.
For a delightful sweet treat after breakfast, consider serving alongside easy 3-ingredient sugar cookies or Christmas gooey butter cookies for a festive dessert option easy sugar cookies recipe.
FAQs
Q1: Can I prepare Crème Brûlée French Toast in advance?
A1: Yes, soak the bread overnight in custard and cover during chilling. Bake fresh in the morning for best results.
Q2: Do I need a torch for the brûlée topping?
A2: A culinary torch is ideal, but you can use the oven broiler set to high for 1-2 minutes while watching carefully to avoid burning.
Q3: What bread works best?
A3: Thick slices of brioche, challah, or French bread are perfect for soaking up the custard without falling apart.
Q4: How should leftovers be reheated?
A4: Reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain texture. Reapply sugar topping and torch for fresh crispness.
Final Thoughts
Crème Brûlée French Toast is a scrumptious, show-stopping dish that elevates any breakfast or brunch occasion. Its rich custard-soaked bread paired with a crisp caramelized sugar crust presents a delightful blend of textures and flavors. With options to prepare ahead and customize, it’s perfect for leisurely mornings or festive gatherings.
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