Description of this recipe: This Easy Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe elevates classic French toast to a decadent, crème brûlée-inspired breakfast or brunch. Thick slices of brioche bread soak overnight in a rich custard infused with vanilla and cinnamon, then baked to golden perfection. The final touch – a caramelized sugar crust – provides the signature crackle and sweetness of crème brûlée, making each bite an unforgettable experience. It’s surprisingly simple to prepare and guaranteed to impress.
Why you will love this recipe:
- Decadent Flavor: Combines the comforting familiarity of French toast with the luxurious taste of crème brûlée.
- Easy to Prepare: Soaking the bread overnight makes this recipe perfect for busy mornings.
- Impressive Presentation: The caramelized sugar crust adds a touch of elegance, making it ideal for special occasions.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable to different types of bread, flavorings, and toppings.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Prepare it the night before and bake it in the morning for a stress-free breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf brioche bread, sliced into 1-inch thick slices (about 8-10 slices)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided (¾ cup for the custard, ¼ cup for caramelizing)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Butter or cooking spray, for greasing the baking dish
- Optional toppings: fresh berries, whipped cream, maple syrup, powdered sugar
Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Brioche:
Begin by slicing the brioche loaf into thick, 1-inch slices. Brioche is the ideal bread for this recipe due to its rich, buttery flavor and sturdy texture, which allows it to soak up the custard without becoming soggy. Ensure the slices are uniform in thickness to ensure even cooking. Generously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Arrange the brioche slices in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, slightly overlapping if necessary. The bread slices should fit snugly in the dish to maximize custard absorption.
Step 2: Whisk the Custard:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, ¾ cup of granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The eggs provide structure to the custard, while the milk and heavy cream contribute to its richness and creamy texture. The vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile, and the cinnamon adds a warm, comforting spice. Make sure the sugar is fully dissolved to prevent a gritty texture in the final product.
Step 3: Soak the Bread:
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the arranged brioche slices in the baking dish. Use a spatula or spoon to gently press down on the bread slices, ensuring that each slice is fully submerged in the custard. This step is crucial for allowing the bread to absorb the custard thoroughly, resulting in a moist and flavorful French toast. Once the bread is well coated, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap.
Step 4: Refrigerate Overnight:
Place the covered baking dish in the refrigerator and let it soak for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. The longer the bread soaks, the more custard it will absorb, resulting in a richer and more flavorful final product. Soaking overnight also allows the flavors to meld together, creating a more harmonious and cohesive dish.
Step 5: Preheat and Bake:
The next morning (or after at least 4 hours of soaking), preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and carefully remove the plastic wrap. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of granulated sugar evenly over the top of the soaked brioche slices. This sugar will caramelize during baking, creating the signature crème brûlée crust.
Step 6: Bake and Caramelize:
Bake the French toast in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. The baking time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the bread slices. To achieve the perfect crème brûlée crust, broil the French toast for an additional 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning. The sugar should melt and caramelize, forming a brittle, crackly layer on top.
COOKING Rating: Intermediate
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm, immediately after baking.
- Top with fresh berries such as raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries for a burst of freshness and color.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Drizzle with maple syrup or honey for added sweetness.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a simple yet elegant presentation.
- Serve alongside a side of crispy bacon or sausage for a complete breakfast or brunch.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint for a touch of visual appeal.
Tips:
- For the best results, use day-old brioche bread. Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard better.
- If you don’t have brioche bread, challah or French bread can be used as substitutes.
- To prevent the bread from becoming soggy, ensure that the custard mixture is not too watery.
- If the top of the French toast starts to brown too quickly during baking, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
- When broiling, keep a close eye on the French toast to prevent burning. The sugar can caramelize very quickly.
- For a richer flavor, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for caramelizing.
- If you’re short on time, you can skip the overnight soaking, but the French toast will be less flavorful and moist.
- Add a splash of bourbon or rum to the custard mixture for an extra layer of flavor.
- For a chocolatey twist, add cocoa powder to the custard mixture.
- Leftover French toast can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour (plus overnight soaking)
Nutritional Information: (per serving, approximate)
Calories: 450 Protein: 12g Sodium: 250mg
Conclusion
This Easy Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe is a delightful twist on a classic breakfast favorite. The combination of rich custard, buttery brioche, and a crackly caramelized sugar crust creates a truly indulgent experience. Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a brunch gathering or simply treat yourself to a special weekend breakfast, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite. The overnight soaking makes it incredibly convenient, allowing you to prepare it in advance and bake it fresh in the morning. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings and flavor variations to create your own signature version of this delectable dish.
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Can I use a different type of bread other than brioche?
A: While brioche is highly recommended for its rich flavor and sturdy texture, you can substitute it with challah or French bread. Keep in mind that the flavor and texture of the final product may vary slightly. Challah is another good option due to its egg-enriched dough, while French bread will provide a chewier texture.
Q2: How long does the French toast need to soak in the refrigerator?
A: The French toast should soak for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. Soaking overnight allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, resulting in a richer and more flavorful final product. If you’re short on time, you can soak it for a minimum of 2 hours, but the longer it soaks, the better.
Q3: Can I make this recipe ahead of time and freeze it?
A: While it’s best to bake the French toast fresh, you can prepare it ahead of time and freeze it before baking. Assemble the French toast in the baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
Q4: What can I do if the top of the French toast is browning too quickly during baking?
A: If the top of the French toast starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil. This will help to prevent it from burning while allowing the custard to continue cooking through. Remove the foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking to allow the top to brown and caramelize.
Q5: Can I add different flavorings to the custard mixture?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with different flavorings to customize the custard mixture to your liking. Some popular additions include a splash of bourbon or rum, a teaspoon of almond extract, or a pinch of nutmeg. You can also add cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist or citrus zest for a bright, fresh flavor. Get creative and have fun experimenting with different combinations.
