Print

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast
Print Recipe

Indulge in the perfect blend of classic crème brûlée and French toast with this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe. Creamy custard-soaked thick bread slices are prepared the night before, then baked to custardy perfection and topped with a crispy caramelized sugar crust. Easy to prepare ahead, customizable, and kid-friendly, this dish is ideal for special weekend brunches or holiday mornings.

Ingredients

Scale

Custard Mixture

  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Bread

  • 1 loaf thick brioche or challah bread (about 10–12 slices)

Caramelized Topping

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar or turbinado sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the custard mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  2. Assemble the bread: Grease a baking dish and arrange the thick slices of brioche or challah in a single layer or slightly overlapped. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, pressing the slices gently to ensure each piece absorbs the custard completely.
  3. Refrigerate overnight: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow the bread to soak up the custard fully and develop rich flavors.
  4. Bake to perfection: The next morning, remove the plastic wrap and bake the soaked bread in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the custard is set and the edges turn lightly golden.
  5. Caramelize the sugar topping: Evenly sprinkle a thin layer of brown sugar or turbinado sugar over the hot French toast. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until bubbly and crisp to create the signature brûlée crust. If you don’t have a torch, broil under high heat for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Notes

  • Use day-old brioche or challah for best custard absorption and texture.
  • Overnight soaking yields optimal flavor and custard consistency.
  • A kitchen torch gives the best control for caramelizing the sugar topping.
  • Sprinkle sugar evenly and thinly to avoid burnt spots in the brûlée crust.
  • Let the French toast cool slightly after caramelizing to allow the crust to set properly.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat gently in a toaster or conventional oven to preserve the caramelized topping texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Overnight French toast, Crème brûlée French toast, Breakfast casserole, Custard soaked bread, Caramelized sugar topping

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/overnight-crme-brle-french-toast/