Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast: A Decadent Breakfast Treat

This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is the ultimate indulgent breakfast. With a rich caramelized base, soft custardy bread, and crispy sugar topping, it’s perfect for holiday mornings, brunch gatherings, or anytime you want a luxurious start to the day. The best part? Most of the prep is done the night before!

Ingredients

For the Caramel Base:

• 🧈 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 🍯 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 🍯 2 tablespoons corn syrup

For the French Toast:

• 🍞 1 loaf French bread or brioche, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
• 🥚 6 large eggs
• 🥛 2 cups whole milk
• 🍦 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 🧂 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Topping:

• 🍚 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for the brûlée effect)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Caramel Base:
   • In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup until smooth and bubbly. Pour the caramel mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Layer the Bread:
   • Arrange the bread slices over the caramel base in a single layer, slightly overlapping if needed.
3. Make the Custard:
   • In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Pour the custard evenly over the bread slices, ensuring all pieces are soaked. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
4. Bake the French Toast:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the bread is golden and puffed and the custard is set.
5. Add the Brûlée Topping:
   • Sprinkle granulated sugar evenly over the top of the baked French toast. Broil on high for 2-3 minutes, or use a kitchen torch to melt the sugar until it forms a crisp, caramelized crust.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Serve warm with fresh berries, whipped cream, or maple syrup if desired. Enjoy the indulgent layers of caramel and custard!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 320
• Fat: 15g
• Carbs: 38g
• Protein: 7g
• Sugar: 24g

Tips for the Best Crème Brûlée French Toast

1. Choose the Right Bread: Brioche or challah bread works best for a rich, custardy texture.
2. Let It Soak: Allowing the bread to soak overnight ensures the custard fully penetrates the slices.
3. Customize the Flavors: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or orange zest to the custard for extra flavor.