Go Back

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

A luxurious breakfast dish featuring custard-soaked French bread topped with a crispy caramelized sugar crust, perfect for special occasions or brunch.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 loaf French bread (day-old or fresh) Opt for a sturdier bread.
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • a pinch salt
  • Sugar for caramelizing Sugar for caramelizing Use a kitchen torch or broiler.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Slice the loaf of French bread into thick slices (about 1-inch thick).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
  3. Arrange the slices of bread in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, ensuring all the pieces are well-soaked.
  4. Tightly cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours) to let the flavors meld together.
Cooking
  1. On the day of your gathering, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Once preheated, remove the plastic wrap and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is golden and the custard is set but still soft.
  3. For the crème brûlée effect, sprinkle a thin layer of sugar on top and use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it forms a crispy layer.
Serving
  1. Allow it to cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. Freezing is also possible—wrap slices individually.