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Best Crème Brûlée French Toast

Indulge in the magic of crispy, caramelized sugar atop creamy, custardy brioche or challah in this easy-to-make breakfast treat.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: French
Calories: 360

Ingredients
  

For the French Toast
  • 6 slices slices of brioche or challah bread Day-old bread is best for texture.
  • 4 large large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch salt
  • Additional sugar sugar for caramelizing

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined. The mixture should be creamy and slightly thick.
  2. Place the slices of brioche or challah in a shallow dish and pour the egg mixture over them. Allow the bread to soak for 5–10 minutes, flipping occasionally. Make sure each piece is fully coated.
Cooking
  1. Preheat your griddle or skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it.
  2. Once hot, add the soaked bread slices, cooking for about 3–4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Remove the French toast slices from the pan. On a heatproof plate, sprinkle a thin layer of sugar over the top of each slice.
  4. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it forms a crispy, golden layer. If you don’t have a torch, broil them in the oven for a couple of minutes, keeping a close eye.
Serving
  1. Plate your caramelized French toast and serve immediately with toppings of your choice like fresh berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup.

Notes

For a healthier version, reduce or omit the sugar. You can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, and freeze individual slices wrapped tightly for longer storage.