Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

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Imagine waking up to a breakfast that feels like a special occasion: rich, custardy bread soaked overnight, caramelized on the outside and soft on the inside, with a golden layer of crunchy, brûléed sugar. This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast takes your classic French toast to the next level, giving you a dessert-like breakfast experience that’s surprisingly easy to prepare. It’s perfect for brunch gatherings, holiday breakfasts, or any day you want to treat yourself.

Why You’ll Love This Crème Brûlée French Toast

This recipe combines the classic flavors of French toast with the decadent twist of a crème brûlée-inspired caramel layer. With simple ingredients and a make-ahead option, this dish is an indulgent yet convenient choice for any breakfast or brunch table.

• Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare this French toast the night before, allowing the bread to soak up all the delicious flavors. Just pop it in the oven the next morning!
• Caramelized Perfection: Each slice gets a beautiful golden crust thanks to a butter-sugar base that caramelizes as it bakes, creating a sweet and crunchy finish.
• Custard-Infused Bread: The bread soaks in a rich custard mixture overnight, making it tender and creamy in the center with a perfect brûlée-like edge.
• Easy Ingredients: You only need pantry staples like eggs, cream, butter, and sugar, making this recipe both accessible and budget-friendly.

Ingredients for Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Here’s what you’ll need to create this luscious French toast. These ingredients work together to make a creamy, caramelized treat with a crispy, brûléed finish.

• Butter – Use unsalted butter to create the rich caramel base. This will help the sugar caramelize and add depth of flavor to each slice.
• Brown Sugar – Brown sugar is essential for creating a deep, caramelized flavor that coats the bread as it bakes, forming a gorgeous golden crust.
• Maple Syrup – Just a bit of real maple syrup enhances the sweetness and brings a subtle hint of warmth to the caramel layer.
• Thick-Cut Bread – Brioche or challah work best for this recipe. Their sturdy texture and slightly sweet flavor soak up the custard mixture beautifully without falling apart.
• Eggs – Eggs are the key to creating a smooth custard that coats each slice of bread, giving it a creamy texture.
• Half-and-Half Cream – Half-and-half adds richness without being too heavy. For an even creamier texture, you can substitute heavy cream.
• Vanilla Extract – Vanilla enhances the sweetness of the custard and adds a hint of warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
• Salt – Just a pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors, especially the caramel layer.

How to Make Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Creating this delightful Crème Brûlée French Toast is simple, but it does require a little planning. Follow these easy steps to prepare a dish that’s sure to impress!

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Base

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the brown sugar and maple syrup. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened, about 3–4 minutes. Pour this mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out to cover the base.

Step 2: Arrange the Bread Slices

Lay the thick-cut bread slices over the caramel mixture in a single layer. It’s okay if they overlap slightly; just make sure they cover the entire base of the dish.

Step 3: Make the Custard Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Soak the Bread

Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices in the baking dish. Use the back of a spoon to gently press the bread down, ensuring it absorbs the custard. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, or at least for 6–8 hours.

Step 5: Bake the French Toast

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the dish and let it sit at room temperature for about 10–15 minutes while the oven preheats. Bake the French toast for 35–45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the caramel is bubbling around the edges.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Slice and serve warm, drizzling any extra caramel sauce from the pan over the top. For an extra treat, dust with powdered sugar or add a dollop of whipped cream.

How Long to Bake Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Baking times for this French toast will vary slightly depending on your oven and the thickness of your bread, but here are some general guidelines to ensure that your dish comes out perfectly caramelized and custardy.

• For a Soft Texture: Bake for 30–35 minutes. The bread will be tender and moist, with a lighter crust.
• For a Firmer Texture: Bake for 40–45 minutes. This will give the bread a slightly firmer, golden crust with a deeper caramelization on the bottom layer.

To check if it’s done, look for a golden brown top with bubbling caramel around the edges. The custard should be set but still soft in the center, like a bread pudding. Avoid overbaking, as this can dry out the custard.

How to Store Leftovers

Leftover Crème Brûlée French Toast can be stored for easy breakfasts throughout the week. Follow these tips to keep it fresh and delicious:

• In the Fridge: Place any leftover French toast in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30–45 seconds, or until warmed through.
• In the Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the French toast in individual portions. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen slices can be stored for up to 2 months.

To reheat from frozen, microwave for 1–2 minutes, or until fully warmed. Alternatively, you can reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes for a crispier texture.

Serving Suggestions

This Crème Brûlée French Toast is delicious on its own, but you can add a few extra toppings to make it even more decadent.

• Powdered Sugar: Dusting with powdered sugar adds a classic touch of sweetness and elegance.
• Fresh Berries: Add a pop of color and a bit of tartness with strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream gives an extra creamy, light finish.
• Additional Maple Syrup: For those with a sweet tooth, a drizzle of warm maple syrup enhances the caramel flavor.

Cooking Tips

Here are a few extra tips to make sure your Crème Brûlée French Toast turns out perfectly every time:

• Use Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale bread absorbs the custard mixture better, resulting in a richer texture. Fresh bread may get too soggy.
• Let the Bread Soak: Make sure to give the bread ample time to soak up the custard overnight. This ensures a consistent texture and full flavor.
• Preheat the Oven Fully: Baking in a fully preheated oven will help the French toast cook evenly and caramelize the sugar mixture.
• Let It Rest Before Serving: Allow the dish to cool for 5 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the caramel to thicken and helps each slice hold its shape when served.

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