Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast – A Decadent Breakfast You’ll Love
The Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a decadent breakfast that combines the rich, custardy flavors of crème brûlée with the comforting texture of French toast. This make-ahead dish is perfect for special occasions or leisurely weekends, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet breakfast with minimal morning effort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 50 minutes (including refrigeration)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 loaf (about 16 ounces) French bread or brioche, cut into 1-inch slices
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or corn syrup)
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Fresh berries or whipped cream, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Caramelized Base:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the brown sugar and maple syrup, stirring until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour this caramelized mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Arrange the Bread:
- Place the bread slices in a single layer over the caramelized mixture, slightly overlapping if necessary.
- Prepare the Custard:
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon (if using) until well combined.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, ensuring all pieces are soaked.
- Refrigerate:
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This allows the bread to absorb the custard fully.
- Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
- Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
- Serve:
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with fresh berries or whipped cream.
Notes
- Bread Selection: Using day-old or slightly stale bread helps prevent the French toast from becoming too soggy.
- Make-Ahead: This dish is ideal for preparing the night before, making it perfect for holidays or special occasions.
- Variations: Add a handful of chocolate chips or sliced bananas between the bread layers for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 toast
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 90mg