Description
This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe offers a deliciously rich and creamy breakfast option with a caramelized brown sugar and butter base, perfect for preparing the night before and baking in the morning for an easy, impressive dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramel Base
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
French Toast
- 12 slices thickly sliced bread, day-old or stale bread recommended; French bread works great
- 5 eggs
- 1 ½ cups half and half cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash of cinnamon
Instructions
- Make the caramel base: In a small saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Prepare the pan: Pour the caramel mixture onto a large greased jelly roll pan (18x13x1 inches) and spread evenly to cover the bottom surface of the pan.
- Arrange the bread: Place 12 slices of thickly sliced bread in a single layer over the caramel layer to cover the pan completely.
- Mix custard: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half cream, salt, vanilla extract, and a dash of cinnamon until well combined.
- Soak the bread: Spoon the custard mixture evenly over each slice of bread. Cover the pan tightly and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
- Bake the French toast: The next morning, bake the French toast uncovered in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes or until set and lightly browned on top.
- Serve: Remove from the pan and serve warm, topping with syrup, whipped cream, fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Use day-old or stale French bread to ensure the custard soaks properly without the bread becoming too soggy.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute half and half with heavy cream.
- Make sure to cover the custard-soaked bread while refrigerating to prevent it from drying out or absorbing fridge odors.
- Optional toppings like fresh berries, powdered sugar, or whipped cream enhance the presentation and flavor.
- If you prefer a crispier top, you may broil the French toast for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
