Description
Indulge in this decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast, featuring thick slices of French bread soaked in a rich custard mixture and topped with a caramelized brown sugar crust. Perfect for brunch or a special breakfast, this dish is sure to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- Fresh berries (optional, for serving)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients on the counter for a smoother process.
- In a large mixing bowl, crack the 6 large eggs and whisk until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Add the 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream to the eggs, whisking until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Slice the loaf of French bread into 1-inch thick slices using a serrated knife.
- Arrange the bread slices in a single layer in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, overlapping slightly if needed.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread slices, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure even soaking.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- The next day, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter, mixing until well combined.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish and drizzle the brown sugar and butter mixture evenly over the soaked bread slices.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. Check around the 40-minute mark to avoid overcooking.
- For an extra crispy top, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Once done, remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before slicing.
- Cut the French toast into squares or rectangles and serve on plates.
- Dust with powdered sugar for an elegant touch, if desired.
- Top with fresh berries for added flavor and contrast.
- Optionally, serve with maple syrup or whipped cream for an extra indulgent experience.
Notes
- Make sure to refrigerate the bread overnight to allow it to soak up the custard mixture fully.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of sugar according to your taste preference.
- Feel free to experiment with different toppings like nuts or flavored syrups.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes