OVERNIGHT CRÈME BRÛLÉE FRENCH TOAST
Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a rich and decadent breakfast with a caramelized brown sugar topping and custard-soaked bread. Prep it the night before and bake in the morning for a hassle-free, indulgent meal!
Ingredients
For the Caramel Layer:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup or honey
For the French Toast:
- 1 loaf French bread sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
- 5 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Step No.1: Prepare the Caramel Base
- In a small saucepan, melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
Step No.2: Arrange the Bread
- Place the French bread slices in a single layer over the caramel base. You can slightly overlap them if needed.
Step No.3: Make the Custard
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
Step No.4: Soak the Bread
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours).
Step No.5: Bake the French Toast
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the dish from the fridge and let it sit for 10 minutes at room temperature. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden and set.
Step No.6: Caramelize the Top
- Let the French toast cool slightly. For an extra crème brûlée effect, sprinkle granulated sugar over the top and use a kitchen torch to caramelize, or broil for 2-3 minutes until bubbly.
Step No.7: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve warm, flipped upside down to reveal the caramel layer. Enjoy with fresh berries, powdered sugar, or maple syrup!
Notes
- Bread Choice: Use stale French bread for better absorption. Brioche or challah also work well.
- Make-Ahead: Preps the night before and bakes fresh in the morning!
- No Torch? Broil the top for a golden caramelized crust instead.
- Cinnamon Roll Style: Add ½ teaspoon nutmeg and drizzle with cream cheese glaze.
- Chocolate Twist: Sprinkle chocolate chips between bread slices.
- Pumpkin Spice: Add ¼ cup pumpkin purée and pumpkin spice.
- Nutty Crunch: Top with sliced almonds or pecans before baking.