Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

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Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

There’s nothing quite like waking up to the smell of freshly baked French toast, especially when it’s this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast—a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth twist on the classic breakfast favorite. Perfect for a cozy weekend brunch or a special holiday gathering, this recipe combines the comforting flavors of crème brûlée with the indulgence of French toast. With minimal prep the night before, it’s an easy way to impress guests or treat your family to something extraordinary.

Whether you’re hosting a festive breakfast on Christmas morning, celebrating Mother’s Day, or simply looking for a luxurious weekend treat, this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is sure to be a hit. Inspired by the timeless French dessert, crème brûlée, this recipe brings the rich, caramelized sweetness of brûléed sugar to the top of soft, custardy French toast—deliciously golden and perfectly crispy. What could be better?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The beauty of this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast lies in its combination of simplicity and indulgence. Prepare it the night before, let it soak up all the flavors, and bake it to perfection the next morning. Here’s why it should be your go-to brunch dish:

  1. Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: Prep the night before and let the bread soak in the creamy, sweet custard overnight. The result? Perfectly soft and flavorful French toast with a golden, caramelized topping.
  2. Impressive and Elegant: Serve this at any brunch, and watch your guests’ eyes light up as they take their first bite. It’s the kind of dish that makes you look like a culinary genius with hardly any work.
  3. Perfect for a Crowd: This recipe yields six generous servings, making it ideal for families, friends, or small gatherings. You can easily double or halve the recipe depending on the size of your crowd.
  4. Versatile Toppings: While maple syrup is a must, you can also add fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra indulgence.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast comes together with just a few simple ingredients. Here’s everything you need:

  • 1 loaf of French bread (sliced into 1-inch thick pieces): The sturdy texture of French bread holds up perfectly to the custard mixture, making it ideal for this recipe.
  • 5 large eggs: These create the base for the custard that soaks into the bread, making it rich and custardy.
  • 1 cup half-and-half and 1 cup whole milk: These provide the creamy texture of the custard while balancing the richness of the eggs.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla adds a warm, aromatic sweetness.
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for the topping): Sugar sweetens the custard and helps create that gorgeous caramelized top.
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg: These warm spices give the French toast its comforting flavor profile.
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter: This is dotted on top of the bread before baking to ensure a golden, buttery crust.
  • Maple syrup (for serving): The perfect finishing touch for this decadent breakfast treat.

How to Make Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Start by generously buttering a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the bread doesn’t stick during baking. Once your dish is greased, arrange the slices of French bread in a single layer. The bread should overlap slightly, but make sure each slice gets fully soaked in the custard mixture.

Step 2: Make the Custard Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the 5 eggs, half-and-half, whole milk, vanilla extract, 2/3 cup of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk everything together until the mixture is smooth and fully blended. This is the custard that will soak into your bread overnight, infusing it with a rich, creamy flavor.

Step 3: Soak the Bread

Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices. Use the back of a spoon to gently press the bread into the liquid to make sure each slice gets thoroughly soaked. You want the bread to absorb as much of the custard as possible, creating that custardy texture we all love in French toast.

Step 4: Refrigerate Overnight

Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. This step is crucial, as it allows the bread to soak up all the flavors, ensuring that the custard seeps into every nook and cranny of the bread. When you wake up the next morning, you’ll have the perfect base for your French toast.

Step 5: Preheat the Oven

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