Description
Indulge in this decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast, featuring thick slices of brioche soaked in a rich custard mixture, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a crisp caramelized sugar crust. This luxurious breakfast treat combines the creamy texture of classic crème brûlée with the comforting familiarity of French toast, perfect for special occasions or a weekend brunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf of brioche bread (about 1 pound), sliced into 1-inch thick slices
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for caramelizing)
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh berries (optional, for serving)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients on the counter to ensure a smooth preparation process.
- Beat Eggs: In a large mixing bowl, crack and whisk the 4 large eggs until well beaten and frothy.
- Add Dairy: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup whole milk, whisking continuously until fully combined with the eggs.
- Mix Flavorings: Stir in 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved and the custard base is smooth.
- Arrange Bread: Lay the sliced brioche bread evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring slices are snug but not overlapping excessively.
- Soak Bread: Pour the egg custard mixture over the bread slices, making sure each slice is well coated. Use a spatula to gently press the slices down so they thoroughly absorb the custard.
- Refrigerate: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight for maximum custard infusion.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Bring to Room Temperature: Remove the baking dish from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes if soaked overnight.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and custard is set. Check around 25 minutes and cover loosely with foil if browning too fast.
- Cool: Let the French toast cool for about 5 minutes after baking to avoid breaking the custard layer.
- Caramelize Sugar: Evenly sprinkle 1/2 cup granulated sugar on top. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until it melts and forms a deep golden crust. Alternatively, broil for 1-2 minutes watching closely to prevent burning.
- Harden Sugar Crust: Allow the caramelized sugar to cool and harden for a couple of minutes to achieve the signature crunchy top.
- Serve: Cut the French toast into squares or rectangles for serving.
- Garnish (Optional): Dust lightly with powdered sugar and add fresh berries to elevate both flavor and presentation.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately and delight in the creamy custard texture combined with the crisp brûléed topping.
Notes
- Using high-quality brioche bread results in a richer, more tender French toast.
- Soaking the bread overnight improves flavor absorption and texture.
- A kitchen torch provides the best control for caramelizing sugar, but a broiler is a good alternative if a torch is unavailable.
- Be careful when caramelizing sugar under the broiler to avoid burning the sugar.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh, as the caramelized topping softens over time.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, but the custard will be less rich.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: Crème Brûlée, French Toast, Brioche, Breakfast, Caramelized Sugar, Custard, Brunch, Decadent
