Description
Decadent overnight creme brulee french toast brings Parisian elegance to weekend breakfasts, promising a luxurious start to your morning. Silky custard-soaked bread caramelizes into a golden masterpiece you’ll crave from first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf french bread
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Topping/Finish:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 cup additional granulated sugar (for caramelizing)
Instructions
- Slice the French bread into thick, hearty pieces, approximately 1-inch thick, creating a sturdy base for the luxurious overnight breakfast dish.
- Whisk eggs, whole milk, and heavy cream in a large mixing bowl until smooth and thoroughly combined, creating a rich custard foundation.
- Incorporate granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt into the egg mixture, whisking until the sugars dissolve completely and the blend becomes uniform.
- Arrange bread slices in a generously buttered baking dish, ensuring they are closely nestled but not overlapping.
- Slowly pour the custard mixture over the bread, allowing each slice to absorb the liquid thoroughly. Gently press down on the bread to ensure maximum saturation.
- Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, permitting the bread to soak up all the delectable flavors and custard.
- Remove the dish from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to allow it to reach room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing for a golden, crisp transformation.
- Dot the surface with small pieces of unsalted butter and drizzle maple syrup across the bread for additional richness.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the center becomes set with a slight wobble.
- Sprinkle additional granulated sugar evenly across the top and use a kitchen torch to caramelize, creating a crisp, glassy topping. Alternatively, place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Let the French toast rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, allowing the caramelized sugar to harden and the dish to set.
Notes
- Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old French bread or brioche for optimal texture and absorption, ensuring a custardy interior and crisp exterior.
- Customize Sugar Caramelization: Experiment with different sugar types like turbinado or raw sugar for a more complex caramelized top with deeper flavor profiles.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap whole milk and heavy cream with almond or oat milk for a lighter, lactose-free version that maintains the dish’s luxurious essence.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish up to two days in advance, refrigerating until ready to bake, perfect for stress-free entertaining and weekend brunch preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 625
- Sugar: 41 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg