Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast
Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is your golden ticket to a restaurant-worthy breakfast without the morning hassle. With a rich caramel base, custard-soaked bread, and a soft, gooey center, it’s everything you love about French toast—with a brûlée-inspired twist. This dish is perfect for holidays, brunch parties, or a cozy weekend treat, and best of all—it’s made the night before, so all you need to do is wake up and bake!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
- 1 loaf French bread or brioche cut into 1-inch slices
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Powdered sugar for topping, optional
- Fresh berries for topping, optional
- Maple syrup for topping, optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup until it is smooth and bubbly, which takes about 2–3 minutes. Pour this caramel mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer the sliced French bread over the caramel base, slightly overlapping the pieces as needed.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, making sure all pieces are soaked.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- When you are ready to bake, preheat the 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 40–45 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and is set in the middle.
- Allow it to cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries or maple syrup.
Notes
How to Serve Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast
Serve this French toast warm, dusted with powdered sugar, and topped with fresh berries or a drizzle of maple syrup. It’s great for breakfast or brunch with family and friends!
How to Store Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.
Tips to Make Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast
- Use day-old bread for the best texture; it absorbs the custard well without getting too soggy.
- For a crispy top, sprinkle some raw sugar on top before baking for a brûlée effect.
- Feel free to mix in your favorite spices or add chocolate chips for extra flavor!