Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast: A Decadent Breakfast Delight

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a delightful twist on a classic breakfast favorite that will elevate your morning routine to a whole new level. Imagine waking up to the sweet aroma of vanilla and caramelized sugar wafting through your kitchen, enticing you to indulge in a dish that feels both luxurious and comforting. This recipe draws inspiration from the traditional French dessert, crème brûlée, which is known for its rich custard base and crispy sugar topping. By transforming this beloved dessert into a breakfast option, I’ve created a dish that combines the best of both worlds—decadence and convenience.

People adore Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast not only for its exquisite taste and creamy texture but also for its ease of preparation. You can assemble it the night before, allowing the bread to soak up the luscious custard mixture, and simply pop it in the oven the next morning. This makes it perfect for brunch gatherings or special occasions when you want to impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become a staple in your breakfast repertoire!

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of French bread (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch thick slices
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• Fresh berries (optional, for serving)
• Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

Preparing the Batter

Let’s get started on this delicious Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast! The first step is to prepare the batter, which is going to soak into our French bread slices overnight.

1. In a large mixing bowl, crack the 6 large eggs. Make sure to whisk them well until they are fully combined and slightly frothy.
2. Next, add in the 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream. This combination is what gives our French toast that rich, custardy texture. Whisk everything together until it’s smooth.
3. Now, let’s sweeten things up! Add in the 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk again until all the ingredients are well incorporated and the sugar has dissolved.

Preparing the Bread

Now that our batter is ready, it’s time to prepare the bread. This is where the magic happens!

1. Take your loaf of French bread and cut it into 1-inch thick slices. You want them to be thick enough to hold the batter but not so thick that they won’t soak through.
2. In a large baking dish (a 9×13 inch dish works perfectly), arrange the slices of French bread in a single layer. You can slightly overlap them if needed.
3. Once the bread is arranged, pour the prepared batter evenly over the bread slices. Make sure every piece is well coated. You can use a spatula to gently press down on the bread to ensure it absorbs the liquid.
4. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. This allows the bread to soak up all that delicious custard mixture.

Preparing the Topping

While the bread is soaking, let’s prepare the topping that will give our French toast that signature crème brûlée crunch!

1. In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter. Mix until it forms a crumbly mixture.
2. Once the bread has soaked overnight, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure that it’s nice and hot when we’re ready to bake.
3. After preheating, remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over the top of the soaked bread. This will create that caramelized top we all love!

Cooking Process

Now it’s time to bake our Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast!

1. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes. You want the top to be golden brown and the custard to be set. If you notice that the top is browning too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
2. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. This will help the custard set a little more and make it easier to serve.

Assembling and Serving

Now that our French toast is baked to perfection, it’s time to serve it up!

1. Using a sharp knife, cut the French toast into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference.
2. Serve each piece warm on a plate. If you’d like, you can dust the top with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
   

   Conclusion:

   In summary, this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is an absolute must-try for anyone looking to elevate their breakfast game. The combination of rich custard, caramelized sugar, and soft, fluffy bread creates a delightful dish that is both indulgent and comforting. Whether you’re hosting a brunch gathering or simply treating yourself to a special morning, this recipe is sure to impress. For serving suggestions, consider pairing this decadent French toast with fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness. You can also experiment with variations by adding your favorite spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, or even incorporating chocolate chips or nuts for added texture and flavor. I encourage you to give this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast a try and share your experience with friends and family. I would love to hear how it turns out for you! Don’t forget to snap a picture and tag me on social media so we can celebrate your delicious creation together. Happy cooking!
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   Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast: A Decadent Breakfast Delight

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   • Author: Maria
   • Total Time: 610 minutes
   • Yield: 8 servings 1x

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   Description

   Indulge in a delightful twist on breakfast with this Crème Brûlée French Toast. Layers of custard-soaked French bread are topped with a caramelized sugar crust, making it perfect for brunch gatherings or a special morning treat.

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   Ingredients

   Scale 1x2x3x

   • 1 loaf of French bread (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch thick slices
   • 6 large eggs
   • 2 cups whole milk
   • 1 cup heavy cream
   • 1 cup granulated sugar
   • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
   • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
   • 1/4 teaspoon salt
   • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
   • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
   • Fresh berries (optional, for serving)
   • Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)

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   Instructions

   1. Start by slicing the French bread into 1-inch thick slices. You can use a serrated knife for cleaner cuts. Arrange the slices in a single layer in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, overlapping them slightly if necessary.
   2. In a large mixing bowl, crack the 6 large eggs and whisk them until well beaten.
   3. Add the 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream to the eggs. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
   4. Incorporate the 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the egg mixture. Continue whisking until all ingredients are fully blended and the sugar is dissolved.
   5. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the slices of French bread in the baking dish. Ensure that all pieces are well soaked. You may need to gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the liquid.
   6. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
   7. In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter. Mix until the sugar is well coated with the butter and forms a crumbly texture.
   8. Once the bread has soaked overnight, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   9. Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and uncover it. Sprinkle the brown sugar and butter mixture evenly over the top of the soaked bread slices.
   10. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
   11. If the top is browning too quickly, cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent burning.
   12. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
   13. Using a sharp knife, cut the baked crème brûlée French toast into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference.
   14. Serve warm on individual plates. You can add fresh berries on the side for a pop of color and flavor.
   15. If desired, dust the top with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. You can also serve with maple syrup or whipped cream for added sweetness.
   16. For an extra special presentation, use a kitchen torch to caramelize additional sugar on top of each serving. Sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar over the surface and carefully torch until the sugar melts and forms a crispy crust.

   Notes

   • For best results, use day-old French bread or a slightly stale loaf. This helps the bread absorb the custard without becoming too soggy.
   • Feel free to customize the flavor by adding spices such as nutmeg or cardamom, or by incorporating ingredients like chocolate chips or nuts.

   • Prep Time: 20 minutes
   • Cook Time: 50 minutes