Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

If you’re looking for a breakfast that’s as indulgent as it is easy to prepare, look no further than Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast. This dish combines the comforting flavors of French toast with the creamy, caramelized finish of crème brûlée, making it a show-stopping breakfast or brunch treat. The best part? You can prepare it the night before, so all you need to do in the morning is bake and broil your way to a delicious, golden masterpiece.

Why You’ll Love Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

There’s something special about French toast that’s perfectly crispy on the outside, soft and custardy on the inside, and just a little bit sweet. This version elevates the classic with the rich, velvety texture and caramelized sugar topping of crème brûlée. With the addition of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of vanilla, each bite is like a warm hug from the inside out.

The convenience of making it overnight means you can wake up to a comforting, restaurant-quality breakfast without spending all morning in the kitchen. Plus, it’s perfect for holiday mornings, weekend brunches, or when you have guests over. The combination of maple syrup and the caramelized sugar topping creates a balanced sweetness that’s impossible to resist.

Ingredients for Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

For the French Toast:

1 loaf French bread, sliced 1-inch thick

5 large eggs

1 cup half-and-half

1 cup whole milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

2/3 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for topping)

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 cup unsalted butter

Maple syrup, for serving

Directions: How to Make Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

1. Prepare the Dish

Start by generously buttering a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure the French toast bakes evenly. Arrange the slices of French bread in a single layer, ensuring they fit snugly within the dish. This will create a sturdy base for the rich, creamy custard to soak into.

2. Make the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, whole milk, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The combination of milk and cream provides the rich base for the custard, while the sugar, vanilla, and spices give it the warm flavors you’d expect in a crème brûlée. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.

3. Soak the Bread

Once your custard is ready, pour it evenly over the slices of bread. Be sure each slice is thoroughly soaked in the custard mixture, as this is what gives the French toast its soft, custardy interior. Once the bread is well-coated, cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the bread to absorb the custard and helps the flavors meld together beautifully.

4. Bake the French Toast

The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, remove the baking dish from the fridge and take off the plastic wrap. Dot the top of the bread with small pieces of butter, which will help create a golden, crispy exterior while the custard cooks. Sprinkle a light layer of sugar over the top of the bread. This sugar will caramelize during baking and contribute to the delightful sweetness of the finished dish.

Bake the French toast for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the bread is puffed and set. The custard will bake into the bread, creating a rich, flavorful French toast base that holds its shape perfectly.

5. Caramelize the Top

After baking, let the French toast cool for a few minutes. For the crème brûlée touch, sprinkle a bit more sugar over the top of the French toast. Then, place the dish under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to prevent burning. The sugar will melt and turn golden brown, creating a crisp, caramelized topping that’s reminiscent of the signature crème brûlée finish.

6. Serve

Once the sugar has caramelized and the French toast is golden and fragrant, remove it from the oven. Serve it warm with a drizzle of maple syrup for the perfect balance of sweetness. The caramelized sugar on top provides a satisfying crunch, while the soft, custardy interior makes each bite pure bliss.

Helpful Tips for Perfecting Your Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Bread Choice: Use a sturdy bread like French bread or challah for the best results. Avoid using soft, airy breads, as they may not soak up the custard well enough.

Overnight Soak: The longer you allow the bread to soak in the custard, the better the flavors will develop. If you don’t have time to soak it overnight, aim for at least 4 hours of chilling.

Broiling: When broiling to caramelize the sugar, watch it closely! The sugar can go from golden to burnt very quickly under the high heat.

Add Toppings: While maple syrup is a classic choice, you can get creative with your toppings. Fresh berries, whipped cream, or even a dusting of powdered sugar can add extra flavor and texture to this dish.

Serving Suggestions

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is rich and indulgent on its own, but you can easily serve it with a variety of sides to complete your brunch spread. Fresh fruit, like berries or sliced bananas, offers a light, refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the French toast. For a savory touch, crispy bacon or sausage links pair wonderfully with the rich, custardy dish.

This breakfast is also a perfect candidate for serving on special occasions such as holidays, birthdays, or a weekend gathering with family and friends. Its impressive presentation and delightful flavors will surely make it a crowd favorite.

Nutritional Information

While this dish is definitely an indulgent treat, it’s also a balanced breakfast that will fuel you for the day. A typical serving contains:

Calories: Approximately 400-450 per serving

Fat: 20-25g

Carbohydrates: 45-50g

Protein: 10g

Keep in mind that the actual nutritional content will vary based on portion sizes and any toppings or substitutions you may choose.

Final Thoughts

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is the ultimate breakfast or brunch dish to impress your loved ones or enjoy as a special treat. The combination of custardy bread, caramelized sugar, and rich maple syrup makes for a breakfast experience like no other. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just treating yourself on a lazy weekend morning, this indulgent French toast is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

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