Name: Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-483421H52M45S
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 slices of thick-cut bread (preferably brioche or challah); 4 large eggs; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; Pinch of salt; 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing the baking dish)

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Description

If you’re looking for the perfect breakfast that feels like dessert, this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is everything you need! It’s rich, indulgent, and can be prepped the night before, so all you have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven and enjoy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Who doesn’t love a good French toast? Now imagine taking that classic dish and giving it a luxurious twist with a crème brûlée-inspired flavor. This recipe combines the crispy, caramelized top of a crème brûlée with the soft, custardy goodness of French toast. Plus, the best part? You can prep it the night before, which means you get all the flavor with none of the morning stress. It’s perfect for brunch, holidays, or even a special weekend treat. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll never look at French toast the same way again!

Ingredients

I’ll be sharing the key ingredients you’ll need for this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast below, but for the full list, including measurements, just scroll down to the bottom of this post!

Thick-cut bread (preferably challah or brioche)
Eggs
Heavy cream
Milk
Brown sugar
Vanilla extract
Cinnamon
Salt
Butter (for greasing the pan)

Directions

1. Prepare the Bread

Start by slicing your bread into thick pieces. I like to use challah or brioche because they soak up the custard beautifully, but any hearty bread will work. Arrange the bread slices in a greased baking dish, making sure the pieces are snug against each other. You want the custard to soak in, so don’t leave any gaps!

2. Make the Custard Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. This is where the magic happens—this creamy custard will soak into the bread and give it that delicious, rich flavor. Once it’s all mixed, pour the custard over the bread, making sure each piece is fully coated. You can give it a little push down if the bread is floating on top.

3. Let it Rest Overnight

Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and place it in the fridge overnight. This allows the bread to soak up all that custardy goodness, ensuring every bite is rich and flavorful.

4. Bake the French Toast

The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap or foil, and pop the baking dish in the oven for about 35-40 minutes. You want the French toast to be golden and crispy on top, with a soft, custard-like interior. If you like your top a little extra crispy, broil it for a minute or two at the end.

5. Serve and Enjoy

Once it’s baked to perfection, take it out of the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and add your favorite toppings—think fresh berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup.

Expert Tips and Tricks

Use day-old bread if you have it! Stale bread absorbs the custard better, which helps it stay moist but not soggy.
Don’t skip the overnight rest! The custard needs time to soak into the bread to get that perfect texture.
If you don’t want to bake it right away, you can prepare it in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Just remember to let it come to room temperature before baking for even heat distribution.
Try adding a splash of liqueur, like Grand Marnier or rum, to the custard for an extra depth of flavor!

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Bread: While challah and brioche are ideal for this recipe, you could also use thick-sliced sourdough or even cinnamon raisin bread for a twist.
Sweeteners: If you prefer, you can substitute brown sugar with maple syrup or honey, although the flavor and texture will differ slightly.
Non-dairy version: Swap the heavy cream and milk for your favorite dairy-free alternatives, such as almond milk or coconut milk.
Add-ins: Want to get fancy? Throw in some chocolate chips, berries, or even a handful of chopped nuts into the custard for a delicious surprise!

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

This dish is perfect for serving alongside a strong cup of coffee or tea, especially if you’re having it for a leisurely weekend brunch. If you’re making this for a holiday breakfast or brunch gathering, you could pair it with a fresh fruit salad or crispy bacon to balance out the richness of the French toast. For a festive touch, add a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have leftovers (though I doubt it!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply pop the slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat individual slices in the microwave for a quicker fix, but the oven will help maintain that crispy top.

4 FAQs

1. Can I make this recipe without overnight refrigeration?
Technically, you could bake it immediately, but the bread won’t absorb the custard as thoroughly. The overnight resting period is key to getting that perfectly creamy texture.

2. Can I freeze the French toast?
Yes! After baking, let it cool completely, then wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes.

3. What type of bread is best for this recipe?
You want a hearty, slightly sweet bread like challah or brioche. These types of bread soak up the custard without falling apart and hold their shape when baked.

4. Can I add fruit to the custard mixture?
Absolutely! Fresh berries, sliced bananas, or even apples can be stirred directly into the custard mixture before baking, or layered in between the slices of bread for a fruity surprise.

Conclusion

This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a showstopper in every way—delicious, easy to make, and perfect for lazy mornings or special occasions. You’ll be hooked after the first bite, and I promise, everyone will be asking for the recipe. So, gather your ingredients, prep it the night before, and wake up to a breakfast that feels like a treat!

Let me know how yours turns out!

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

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Author: Emily
Prep Time: 10 minutes (the night before)
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes (including prep and cook time)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast, Brunch
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American, French-inspired
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

If you’re craving a breakfast that’s both indulgent and easy to prepare, this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is the perfect recipe for you! With a rich custard base and a golden, crispy top, it combines all the best elements of crème brûlée and French toast into one delicious dish. Best of all, it’s prepped the night before—meaning a stress-free, tasty breakfast awaits you in the morning!

Instructions

1. Prepare the Bread:
Slice your bread into thick pieces (about 1.5 inches thick). Place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring they fit snugly together.

2. Make the Custard:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the bread, pressing the bread down gently to make sure it absorbs the custard.

3. Refrigerate Overnight:
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight, allowing the bread to soak up all the custard goodness.

4. Bake:
The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the dish and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the French toast is golden on top and slightly puffed. If you want extra crispiness, broil it for 1-2 minutes at the end.

5. Serve and Enjoy:
Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and top with fresh berries, maple syrup, or whipped cream as desired.

Notes

You can substitute brioche or challah bread with any sturdy bread, but a soft, slightly sweet bread will give the best results.
This dish can be prepped the night before and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.