Give yourself and your friends and family an extravagant morning with this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast. This recipe elevates ordinary French bread to rich, custardy glory with layers of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, crowned with a signature brûléed sugar layer. This make-ahead dish, which gives you a quick-and-easy, no-fuss morning (you prep just the night before), is ideal for special occasions or a lazy weekend brunch, or for entertaining family for the holidays. It’s a breakfast masterpiece that’s as fun to serve as it is to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Easy, Make-Ahead Prep: If you prepped the night before, this recipe is a total no-brainer in the morning—simply pop it in the oven then serve!
Soaky Custardy Texture: Soaking the bread overnight gives it time to absorb the custard mixture, so that by the time it’s baked, whole swaths of it have settled into a creamy, pudding-like consistency.
Vanilla Bean, Caramelized Sugar Top: Like a crème brûlée, this French toast is finished with a crust of broiled sugar, which makes it toothsome.
Ideal for a Brunch Gathering: This dish serves a crowd, and is easy to double, which is great for family gatherings or weekend brunch.
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Key Ingredients:
Each ingredient serves a crucial purpose making the perfect texture and flavor. Here’s what to keep in mind:
French Bread: Its dense, chewy texture can stand up to the custard soak. Pick a loaf that is a day old for best results.
Eggs: The eggs are essential for creating the rich and smooth custard. They also provide structure, so the bread maintains its shape.
Half-and-Half and Whole Milk: A combination of half-and-half and whole milk helps to keep the custard creamy without being too heavy. Use all half-and-half instead for a very rich texture, or all milk for a lighter version.
Vanilla Extract: The vanilla adds warmth and matches the sweet notes of the custard.
Granulated Sugar: The sugar that sweetens the custard base and forms the caramelized layer on the top; sugar generates a lovely brûlée crust.
Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These warm spices add depth and a hint of cozy flavor to the custard.
Unsalted Butter: Dots of butter on the top before baking provide for a golden-brown finish and add rich, buttery notes.
Maple Syrup (Optional): A drizzle of maple syrup is the finishing touch.
For full list of ingredients with quantities and instructions, head to the recipe card at the bottom
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with plenty of butter so it doesn’t stick and to add another layer of buttery goodness.
Place the bread slices in a single layer in the dish. If need be, slightly overlap them so that all of the slices fit nicely.
Step 2: Prepare the custard mixture
In a big bowl, crack and beat the 5 eggs.
Stir in half-and-half, whole milk, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Whisk until smooth, making sure the sugar is dissolved. It will form a thick, custardy mixture.
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Evenly pour the custard mixture over the bread slices, so that each slice gets coated.
The bread will absorb the liquid to yield a soft, custardy texture.
Step 4: Refrigerate Overnight
Wrap the baking dish in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. This long soaking allows the bread to soak up the flavors completely.
Step 5: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) in the morning.
Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and uncover.
Step 6: Add Butter and Sugar
Dot the soaked bread with pieces of butter.
Add a few more sprinkles of granulated sugar on the top. (That will caramelize a little as it bakes, forming a lovely crust.)
Step 7: Bake the French Toast
Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the bread is puffed and golden.
Step 8: Caramelize the Sugar
After baked, allow the French toast to cool a little.
For an added indulgence, dust on a little extra granulated sugar on top.
Then turn on the broiler and put the baking dish under it for just a few minutes to caramelize the sugar. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
Step 9: Serve
Serve warm, with maple syrup on the side. The custardy texture and caramelized top, along with the sweetness from the maple syrup, make this French toast unforgettable.
Tips for Making the Best Crème Brûlée French Toast:
Use Bread That’s Sturdy: A stale loaf of French bread or brioche stands up best in the overnight soak, developing as creamy an interior as possible without disintegrating.
Press Down on Bread to Soak: When you pour the custard over the bread, press down gently to ensure absorption.
Caramelize Sugar Carefully: If broiling, monitor the sugar closely to avoid burning it. You can also brûlée the top with a kitchen torch for even more control.
Serve Fresh: This dish is best when fresh out of the oven for the best texture and flavor.
Variations:
This French toast is adaptable and can be easily tweaked. Here are some ideas:
Add Fruit: Slice bananas, toss in fresh berries, or insert sliced apple between the bread slices for added flavor and texture.
Spiced Variation: Stir a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom into the custard for a different flavor.
Nutty Topping: Add crunchy chopped pecans or walnuts before baking.
Chocolate Twist: Layer in a few handfuls of chocolate chips between the bread slices for a decadent chocolate version.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this decadent French toast with a few well-suited sides for a full brunch spread:
Fresh Fruit: Pair it with fresh berries, sliced bananas or a fruit salad.
Crispy Bacon or Sausage: The saltiness of bacon or sausage makes a great foil to the sweet French toast.
Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream provides a light and creamy touch that pairs perfectly with the custardy French toast.
Conclusion:
This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast adds all the fancy of a dessert to your breakfast table. It’s a rich way to start the day, with its custardy texture, caramelized sugar topping and warm spices. Prepared the night before and baked fresh in the morning, it’s a perfect stress-free and eye-popping addition to brunch.
Savor each delicious, creamy, caramelized bite!
Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar plus extra for the topping
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter scattered on top before baking
- Maple syrup for serving
Instructions
- Generously butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and arrange the bread slices in a single layer within the dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, whole milk, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
- Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices to soak them thoroughly.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to let the bread absorb the flavors fully.
- In the morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and remove the baking dish from the refrigerator.
- Scatter pieces of butter over the soaked bread and sprinkle a little extra granulated sugar on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the bread is puffed and golden.
- For an extra treat, sprinkle additional granulated sugar on top and broil for a few minutes until caramelized.
- Serve warm with maple syrup on the side.