Description
This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe is a decadent and easy-to-make breakfast dish featuring thick slices of bread soaked overnight in a rich custard mixture, baked to golden perfection with a caramelized brown sugar topping. Perfect for special mornings or brunch, it combines creamy, sweet flavors with a crisp finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Topping
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
Main
- 12 slices thickly sliced bread, day-old or stale (French bread recommended)
- 5 eggs
- 1 ½ cups half and half cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash of cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the topping: In a small saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally until smooth and combined.
- Coat the pan: Pour the melted sugar mixture onto a large, greased 18x13x1 inch jelly roll pan. Spread evenly to cover the surface of the pan.
- Layer the bread: Place 12 slices of thickly sliced bread in a single layer over the sugar mixture, covering the pan completely.
- Mix custard: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half cream, salt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Soak the bread: Spoon the custard mixture evenly over each slice of bread, ensuring thorough coverage. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for at least 8 hours.
- Bake the French toast: Remove the pan from the refrigerator and bake uncovered at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until golden brown and set.
- Serve: Remove the French toast from the pan and serve warm. Top with syrup, whipped cream, fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Use day-old or stale French bread for best texture and soak.
- Make sure to refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard fully.
- You can substitute half and half with whole milk or heavy cream for a richer or lighter custard.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Top with fresh berries or maple syrup for a delicious variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
