Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a decadent, make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish that combines the rich flavors of crème brûlée with the comforting texture of French toast. Perfect for a special occasion or when you want an indulgent morning treat!
Here’s the recipe for Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast:
Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread, sliced 1-inch thick
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for topping)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (for the topping)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the French Toast:
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Arrange the slices of French bread in the baking dish, slightly overlapping them. You can use the whole loaf or just enough to fill the pan, depending on the size of your bread slices.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, whole milk, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt until everything is well combined.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the French bread slices, making sure the bread is well soaked. Press down gently with a spatula to ensure the bread absorbs the liquid.
2. Refrigerate Overnight:
- Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight (or for at least 6 hours). This allows the bread to fully soak up the custard mixture and become deliciously soft.
3. Preheat and Prepare for Baking:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) the next morning.
- Remove the baking dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes while the oven preheats.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Drizzle this mixture evenly over the top of the French toast to create that sweet, caramelized topping.
4. Bake the French Toast:
- Bake the French toast, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set. The top should be crispy and golden, while the inside will be soft and custardy.
5. Serve:
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- Serve the Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast with a dusting of powdered sugar and fresh berries. You can also drizzle it with maple syrup for extra sweetness!
Tips:
- For Extra Crispiness: If you want the top to be extra crispy, you can broil the French toast for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.
- Add-ins: For added flavor, you can sprinkle in some chopped pecans or sliced bananas in between the layers of bread before soaking, or add a handful of chocolate chips for a chocolatey twist.
- Freezing: You can prepare the French toast ahead of time and freeze the casserole before baking. Just let it thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual the next day.
This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is rich, custardy, and absolutely delicious, with a caramelized topping that gives it that “crème brûlée” feel. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a special holiday morning!
