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Side view close-up of a Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake slice, showing the thick custardy bread and the distinct caramelized sugar crust, garnished with berries

Ultimate Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake

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A truly decadent breakfast or brunch masterpiece, this Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake features thick slices of challah or brioche bread soaked in a rich vanilla custard, baked until golden, and finished with a crackly, caramelized sugar crust. It’s an elegant dish that’s surprisingly simple to prepare, especially perfect for entertaining or a special weekend treat.

  • Total Time: 5 hours
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf (about 18-20 oz) challah or brioche bread, day-old preferred, cut into 1-inch thick slices
  • 8 large eggs
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for custard)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
  • Optional garnishes: Fresh berries, powdered sugar, maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Bread: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange the 1-inch thick bread slices in a single layer in the prepared dish. Overlapping slightly is acceptable.
  2. Make the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon (if using), and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  3. Soak the Bread: Carefully pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices in the baking dish, ensuring all bread is thoroughly saturated. Gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the liquid.
  4. Chill (Crucial Step): Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight (up to 24 hours). This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  5. Preheat and Bake: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while the oven preheats.
  6. Bake the French Toast: Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes, or until the french toast is golden brown, puffed, and the custard is set (a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean).
  7. Create the Crème Brûlée Topping: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar over the entire surface of the baked french toast.
  8. Brûlée: Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it melts and forms a crisp, amber-colored crust. Alternatively, you can place the dish under a broiler for 1-3 minutes, watching very carefully to prevent burning, until the sugar caramelizes.
  9. Serve: Let the Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar, and serve with a side of warm maple syrup if desired.

Notes

Best Bread: Day-old challah or brioche works exceptionally well as it’s slightly drier and absorbs the custard more effectively without becoming soggy. Overnight Chill: Do not skip the chilling step! It is key to achieving the perfect custardy interior and prevents the french toast from being dry or falling apart. Caramelization: If using a broiler, keep a very close eye on it as sugar can burn quickly. Position the dish about 6-8 inches from the heat source. Make Ahead: This dish is best served fresh after the brûlée, but the soaked bread can be prepared a full day in advance. Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave. The crispy topping may soften over time.

  • Author: Fork Haven
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes (active) + 4 hours (chilling)
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 35g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 250mg

Find it online: https://forkhaven.com/crme-brle-french-toast-bake-perfect/

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