If you are craving a breakfast that feels both indulgent and comforting, the Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe is here to make your mornings unforgettable. This dish brings together the luscious creaminess of traditional crème brûlée custard soaked into thick slices of brioche or challah bread, baked to golden perfection, and finished with that signature caramelized sugar crust. It’s the perfect balance of rich, creamy, and crispy textures, making every bite a celebration of flavor and elegance in the most approachable way. Trust me, once you try this, it will become a go-to weekend treat or a show-stopping brunch centerpiece.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe has a special role, enhancing the texture, flavor, and color of the dish. The ingredients are simple but essential, blending to create a custardy base and a crisp, golden topping that perfectly mimics the classic dessert.
- Brioche or Challah Bread: Choose thick slices for a fluffy, tender base that soaks up the custard beautifully.
- Large Eggs: The foundation of the custard, binding ingredients and creating that rich creaminess.
- Whole Milk (or almond/oat milk): Adds moisture and a smooth, mild flavor with dairy-free options for everyone.
- Heavy Cream (or half-and-half): Gives the custard its signature richness and velvety texture.
- Granulated Sugar (or brown sugar): Sweetens the custard and contributes to the caramelized crust.
- Vanilla Extract (or vanilla bean paste): Infuses the custard with a warm, aromatic note that’s unmistakable in crème brûlée.
- Ground Cinnamon (or nutmeg): Adds a subtle spice that complements the sweetness perfectly.
- Pinch of Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
How to Make Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bread
Start by slicing your brioche or challah loaf into thick pieces—aim for about one to one and a half inches each for that ideal custard soak. Arrange the slices neatly in a well-greased baking dish, creating a snug bed for the luscious custard to come.
Step 2: Make the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until everything is fully combined and smooth. This custard mixture is what transforms simple bread into a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Pour the custard evenly over the bread slices, pressing down gently with a spatula or your hands to ensure every bite absorbs the creamy mixture. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but if you have time, letting it soak overnight will deepen the flavors and improve the texture.
Step 4: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), setting the stage for baking a golden, tender French toast that’s stuffed with custard goodness.
Step 5: Bake the French Toast
Take your custard-soaked bread out of the fridge and slide the dish into the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top turns a beautiful golden brown. If you want to kick it up a notch, broil for an additional 2 to 3 minutes for extra crispiness on top—just watch closely to avoid burning.
Step 6: Brûlée the Top
Once baked, sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar on the surface and caramelize it with a kitchen torch until it forms a shiny, crisp crust. If you don’t have a torch, placing it under the broiler for a minute or two works just as well—just keep a close eye so it doesn’t burn.
Step 7: Serve
Before serving, allow the French toast to cool slightly so the sugar crust can harden properly. Top it with fresh berries, a light dusting of powdered sugar, and a drizzle of maple syrup if you like for the perfect finishing touch.
How to Serve Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh berries such as raspberries, blueberries, or sliced strawberries add a burst of natural sweetness and color that contrasts delightfully with the caramelized crust. A sprinkle of powdered sugar adds a light touch of elegance without overpowering the dish’s creamy richness.
Side Dishes
This Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe pairs beautifully with crispy bacon or sausage for those who enjoy a savory balance. You can also complement it with a simple mixed green salad dressed in citrus vinaigrette to brighten up the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, try stacking individual slices layered with whipped cream and fresh fruit between them for a stunning French toast tower. Another idea is to serve in elegant ramekins for single portions, brûléed right in the dish for a delightful twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The custardy richness holds up well, though the brûléed topping may soften slightly.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They keep well for up to 2 months, making it easy to enjoy this treat anytime.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or refrigerated slices in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes to revive the custard texture and crisp the edges. To refresh the brûléed sugar topping, carefully torch or broil again briefly after reheating.
FAQs
Can I use any type of bread for this recipe?
While you can experiment, brioche or challah are recommended because their rich, tender crumb soaks up the custard beautifully and bakes into a soft, creamy texture perfect for this Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe.
Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?
Absolutely! Use almond or oat milk instead of whole milk, and substitute heavy cream with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or cashew cream to maintain that creamy texture without dairy.
Can I prepare the custard and bread the night before?
Yes, soaking the bread in custard overnight enhances the flavor and ensures a super moist, custardy French toast. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
What if I don’t have a kitchen torch?
No worries! Simply place the baked French toast under the broiler for a couple of minutes after sprinkling sugar on top. Watch it closely to avoid burning and you’ll still achieve that wonderful caramelized crust.
How do I know when the French toast is done baking?
The French toast is ready when the custard is set, and the top is golden brown. It should feel firm to the touch but still moist inside. If needed, you can test with a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean.
Final Thoughts
This Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe is a total game-changer when it comes to elevating your breakfast or brunch menu. It’s elegant without being complicated, indulgent yet comforting, and perfect for sharing. I can’t wait for you to try it and experience how this sweet, creamy, and crispy delight can turn an ordinary morning into something truly special. Go ahead, treat yourself—you deserve it!
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Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes plus at least 30 minutes soaking time (up to overnight soaking preferred)
- Yield: 12-14 slices
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Description
Crème Brûlée French Toast is a decadent twist on traditional French toast, featuring thick slices of brioche or challah soaked in a rich custard made with eggs, cream, and vanilla, baked to perfection, and finished with a caramelized sugar crust reminiscent of classic crème brûlée. This recipe offers a luxurious breakfast or brunch option that is sure to impress with its creamy texture and crisp topping.
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread (12–14 slices)
For the Custard:
- 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
For the Topping:
- Additional granulated sugar for caramelizing
- Optional: fresh berries, powdered sugar, maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Cut the brioche or challah into thick slices and arrange them evenly in a greased baking dish, ensuring they fit snugly but aren’t overlapping too much.
- Make the Custard: In a large bowl, 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 fully combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the arranged bread slices, pressing down gently with a spatula or your hands to make sure each slice absorbs the custard well. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, to allow deep soaking and richer flavor.
- Preheat the Oven: About 10 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature for slow baking the French toast custard.
- Bake the French Toast: Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and place it in the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is lightly golden brown. For an extra-crispy top, you can broil it for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Brûlée the Top: Sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar over the baked French toast surface. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, caramelized crust. Alternatively, you can place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to achieve this effect, keeping a close eye to avoid over-browning.
- Serve: Let the crème brûlée French toast cool slightly for a few minutes before serving. Add optional toppings like fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, and a drizzle of maple syrup for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk and heavy cream with almond or oat milk and coconut cream respectively.
- Overnight soaking improves custard absorption and intensifies flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
- Use a kitchen torch for the best caramelized sugar crust, but broiling is a good alternative if you don’t have one.
- If you prefer a stronger vanilla flavor, use vanilla bean paste or scrape seeds from a vanilla bean instead of extract.
- Serve immediately after torching for the best texture contrast between creamy interior and crunchy topping.
