If you adore breakfast treats that feel indulgently elegant but are surprisingly easy to make, this Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe is about to become your new weekend obsession. Imagine the creamy richness of classic crème brûlée folded into thick slices of luscious, custard-soaked bread, finished with a crunchy caramelized sugar topping that cracks delightfully with every forkful. This recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a show-stopping dish that’s creamy, custardy, crisp, and utterly comforting all at once.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To craft this delicious Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe, you only need a handful of simple ingredients that each play a vital role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture. These basics come together to create a creamy custard base, tender bread soak, and that signature caramelized crust.
- Day-old bread (6 thick slices): Slightly stale bread soaks up the custard without falling apart, ideal for a sturdy yet tender texture.
- Heavy cream (1 cup): Adds richness and a velvety mouthfeel, mimicking the classic crème brûlée custard.
- Whole milk (1 cup): Balances creaminess with a lighter texture to keep the custard from being too dense.
- Large eggs (6): The essential binding agent that sets the custard and provides structure.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens the custard, ensuring every bite is perfectly luscious.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses a warm, fragrant note that complements the creamy custard beautifully.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a subtle spicy warmth that pairs wonderfully with the caramel notes.
- Unsalted butter, melted (1/4 cup): Brushed on top before baking to enrich and help form a golden crust.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup): Sprinkled on top for that signature brûlée caramelized crunch.
How to Make Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Oven
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (177°C) and greasing a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. This ensures your French toast won’t stick and will brown evenly, setting the stage for a delicious bake.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Custard Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and ground cinnamon. Whisk everything thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and cohesive. This custard is the soul of your Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe, bringing creaminess and warmth to every bite.
Step 3: Soak the Bread Slices
Dip each piece of bread into the custard mixture, making sure to coat both sides well. The key is allowing the bread to soak up just enough liquid without becoming soggy. After each dip, transfer the bread slices to your prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Add Remaining Custard and Refrigerate
Pour any leftover custard mixture over the arranged bread slices to ensure even soaking. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. This step lets the bread fully absorb the custard, intensifying the rich, creamy texture that defines this recipe.
Step 5: Bring to Room Temperature and Add Toppings
Take the baking dish out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. Drizzle the melted butter over each slice and sprinkle brown sugar evenly on top. These steps build layers of flavor and create that yummy, caramelized crust you love in Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the French toast is set and the top has a beautiful golden brown finish. The smell alone is enough to make your kitchen feel like a cozy café.
Step 7: Optional Caramelized Brûlée Finish
For an authentic brûlée finish, use a kitchen torch to caramelize the brown sugar topping until it forms a crisp, crackling crust. This final touch turns this French toast into a dessert-worthy brunch favorite.
How to Serve Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate each serving with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or a drizzle of warm maple syrup. A dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of toasted nuts also adds texture and a touch of elegance to your plate.
Side Dishes
This French toast pairs wonderfully with freshly brewed coffee, a citrusy fruit salad to cut through the richness, or crispy bacon for a salty-sweet contrast. Think cozy brunch vibes that impress without fuss.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, plate each slice individually, torch the sugar right in front of your guests for theater, or cut the French toast into triangles and skewer with fruit and mint leaves for a playful, shareable platter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the custard moist and ready to enjoy as a quick breakfast or snack.
Freezing
You can freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil for up to one month. When you crave this delightful Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe, simply thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through to maintain the crisp edges and creamy interior. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve the lovely texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use regular bread instead of day-old bread?
Fresh bread can work but tends to become mushy when soaked. Day-old or slightly stale bread is ideal because it absorbs the custard without falling apart, giving you that perfect custardy yet firm texture.
Is it necessary to refrigerate the soaked bread before baking?
Yes! Refrigerating allows the bread to absorb the custard fully, resulting in a rich, custard-like interior instead of just soaked bread. It’s what makes this Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe truly special.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can substitute the heavy cream and whole milk with coconut milk or almond milk, but the texture will be less rich and creamy. Using dairy alternatives means the custard might not set exactly like in the original recipe.
What if I don’t have a kitchen torch for the brûlée topping?
No worries! You can place the dish under a very hot broiler for a couple of minutes to caramelize the sugar, but watch it closely to prevent burning.
How long can leftovers be kept refrigerated?
Leftover Crème Brûlée French Toast is best enjoyed within 3 days when stored in an airtight container. Beyond that, it may lose some of its texture and freshness.
Final Thoughts
This Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe is such a delightful way to turn breakfast into a decadent experience that feels like a celebration in every bite. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or simply craving some cozy indulgence, it’s bound to become a treasured favorite. Give it a try and watch your mornings brighten with creamy custard and caramelized sugar magic!
Print
Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 20m
- Cook Time: 0h 45m
- Total Time: 3h 05m
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe transforms classic French toast into a decadent breakfast treat inspired by the French dessert crème brûlée. Thick slices of day-old bread are soaked in a rich custard mixture of heavy cream, whole milk, eggs, and spices, then baked to golden perfection. A topping of melted butter and brown sugar adds a delightful caramelized crust that’s optionally finished with a kitchen torch for that signature brûlée crunch.
Ingredients
Custard Mixture
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 6 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Bread
- 6 thick slices of day-old bread
Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and ground cinnamon until fully combined and smooth.
- Dip Bread: Submerge each slice of bread into the custard mixture, ensuring both sides are evenly coated, then place them into the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
- Pour Remaining Custard: Drizzle any leftover custard mixture evenly over the bread slices in the baking dish to saturate the bread thoroughly.
- Chill: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight to let the bread absorb the custard deeply, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Bring to Room Temperature: Remove the baking dish from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure even baking.
- Add Topping: Drizzle the melted butter over the soaked bread slices and sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top for a sweet, caramelized finish.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the French toast is firm, fully set, and lightly golden brown on top.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from the oven and let the French toast cool for a few minutes before serving to set the texture.
- Optional Brûlée: For an extra special touch, use a kitchen torch to caramelize the brown sugar topping, creating a crispy brûlée crust reminiscent of classic crème brûlée dessert.
Notes
- Using day-old bread helps the slices absorb the custard mixture better without becoming too soggy.
- Refrigeration time is key for a custardy, tender texture—avoid skipping this step if possible.
- If you do not have a kitchen torch, you can place the dish briefly under the broiler to caramelize the sugar, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- This dish is best served warm but can be refrigerated and gently reheated the next day.
