Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Posted by by Sara 1 year Ago 160 Views

Ingredients:

For the French Toast:

  • 1 loaf of thick bread (such as brioche, challah, or French bread)
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Topping:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Crème Brûlée Crunch:

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for caramelizing the top)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the bread: Slice the bread into 1-inch thick slices and arrange them in a single layer in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Overlap the slices slightly to ensure the egg mixture can soak into all the pieces.
  2. Make the egg mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
  3. Soak the bread: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread slices in the baking dish, making sure all the bread is soaked well. Use the back of a spoon to press down on the bread, helping it absorb the custard. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours).
  4. Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Drizzle the mixture evenly over the soaked bread before baking.
  5. Bake the French toast: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the French toast, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and slightly crispy, and the custard is set.
  6. Crème Brûlée finish: Once the French toast is baked, remove it from the oven. Sprinkle an even layer of granulated sugar over the top. Using a kitchen torch, carefully melt the sugar to create a crispy, caramelized crust (this gives it that signature crème brûlée crunch!). If you don’t have a torch, you can place it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to melt the sugar.
  7. Serve: Let the French toast cool for a few minutes before serving. Top with fresh berries, whipped cream, or more syrup if desired.

Notes:

  • If you don’t have a kitchen torch, you can place the French toast under a broiler to get the caramelized top, but watch closely to avoid burning.
  • You can also make this dish extra special by adding a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving.
  • For added flavor, consider adding a dash of nutmeg or even a bit of orange zest to the egg mixture.

Nutrition (per serving):

  • Calories: ~450-500 kcal (depends on portion size and toppings)
  • Protein: ~10g
  • Carbs: ~50g
  • Fat: ~25g
  • Fiber: ~2g
  • Sodium: ~350mg