Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast
Introduction
Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is the perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish for holidays, weekends,
or any morning when you want something indulgent with minimal effort. Thick slices of bread soak overnight in a rich
custard, then bake over a buttery caramel layer that transforms into a glossy “crème brûlée” topping. The result is
an irresistible, custardy, caramel-infused French toast that feels like dessert for breakfast.
Ingredients
Caramel Base
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup or honey
French Toast
- 1 loaf French bread or brioche, sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
1. Prepare the Caramel Base
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the brown sugar and corn syrup (or honey).
- Stir until smooth and bubbling, about 3–4 minutes.
- Pour the caramel mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Arrange the Bread
- Place the bread slices over the caramel layer, slightly overlapping if needed.
- Ensure the caramel is completely covered by the bread.
3. Make the Custard
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour the custard evenly over the bread slices.
- Gently press the bread into the mixture so it absorbs the custard.
4. Chill Overnight
Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
5. Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the dish from the fridge and let it sit for 15–20 minutes.
- Bake uncovered for 35–45 minutes or until golden and set.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Flip portions upside-down onto plates to reveal the caramel topping.
Description
This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is soft, custardy, and rich, with a buttery caramel topping that forms
underneath as it bakes. The caramel melts and bubbles up around the bread, creating a glossy, sweet,
slightly crisp “brûlée” finish. Warm, comforting, and decadent, it’s guaranteed to impress for breakfast or brunch.
Tips
- Use sturdy bread such as brioche or French bread to prevent sogginess.
- Let the dish soak overnight for the best custardy texture.
- Allow it to rest before baking to prevent a wet center.
- Add fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or whipped cream for serving.
- Reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup if you prefer a less sweet dish.
- For a true brûlée effect, sprinkle sugar on top after baking and torch lightly.
Correction
- If the texture is too soggy, use drier bread or toast slices slightly before soaking.
- If it’s too sweet, reduce the caramel mixture by 20–30%.
- If the custard overflows, ensure you’re using the correct pan size.
- If bread floats, press slices into the custard before refrigerating.
- If caramel burns, bake on the middle rack and avoid dark metal pans.
Enjoy
Serve warm with berries, powdered sugar, or a drizzle of caramel.
Every bite tastes like a fusion of French toast and silky crème brûlée —
the ultimate indulgent breakfast. Enjoy!



