Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
Crème Brûlée French Toast is a decadent breakfast dish that combines rich custard-soaked brioche or challah bread with a crispy caramelized sugar topping, reminiscent of the classic French dessert crème brûlée. This recipe is perfect for a special brunch or holiday morning treat, offering a creamy, flavorful interior and a satisfyingly crisp top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (plus optional soaking overnight)
- Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread (12–14 slices)
Custard Mixture
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or nutmeg)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Cut the brioche or challah into thick slices and arrange them evenly in a greased baking dish to ensure even soaking of the custard mixture.
- Make the Custard: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the custard evenly over the arranged bread slices, pressing down gently to make sure each slice absorbs the mixture fully. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the custard to soak in deeply.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to fully heat while the bread is soaking or just before baking.
- Bake the French Toast: Remove the soaked bread from the refrigerator and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the custard is set. For an extra crispy top, you may broil the dish for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close watch to prevent burning.
- Brûlée the Top: Evenly sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar over the baked French toast. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar, creating a crisp, golden crust characteristic of crème brûlée. Alternatively, place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes and watch carefully until caramelized.
- Serve: Allow the French toast to cool slightly before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a drizzle of maple syrup for enhanced flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk and heavy cream with almond or oat milk and use non-dairy cream alternatives.
- Soaking the bread overnight results in a more custardy and flavorful dish.
- Using a kitchen torch to brûlée the top provides better control compared to the broiler method.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and gently reheated in a toaster oven or oven.
- Feel free to experiment with spices like nutmeg or cardamom for different flavor twists.
Keywords: Crème Brûlée French Toast, French Toast Recipe, Custard French Toast, Brûléed French Toast, Brioche Breakfast, Holiday Brunch
Find it online: https://cheframi.com/creme-brulee-french-toast-recipe/
