Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

This overnight crème brûlée French toast brings a bakery-worthy breakfast to your home with barely any morning effort. If you like warm custardy interiors and crisp sugary tops, this will hit the spot for brunch guests or lazy weekends alike.

Every time I serve this, people marvel at the caramelized sugar crust and creamy middle. I first tried this recipe for a holiday brunch, and our family begged for it all year long after that.

Ingredients

• French bread: Choose a loaf that feels firm and slightly crusty The thicker slices soak up the custard without turning mushy
• Large eggs: Fresh eggs make a richer custard so look for ones with bright yolks
• Half-and-half: This gives luxurious richness Try to use the best quality dairy you can find
• Whole milk: Balances richness while keeping the texture silky Avoid low-fat for best results
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla brings warmth and aroma Read the label to make sure you are not getting artificial flavors
• Granulated sugar: White sugar adds sweetness and makes that crackly brûlée topping Go for organic if you can
• Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg: These spices offer cozy bakery notes For extra freshness grate the nutmeg yourself
• Unsalted butter: Adds flavor and helps brown the top I cut mine into very tiny pieces so it dots over each slice
• Maple syrup: The classic finishing touch A high-quality real maple syrup makes all the difference

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the baking dish:

Generously coat a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with butter Use your hands to make sure every corner is covered to prevent sticking Then lay the slices of French bread down in a single layer overlapping them slightly so you use up all the bread

Make the custard:

In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs half-and-half whole milk vanilla extract sugar cinnamon and nutmeg Thoroughly combine until no streaks remain and the mixture is very smooth This ensures your final bake is evenly flavored

Soak the bread:

Carefully pour your custard mixture over the bread slices Evenly distribute so each piece is well covered If needed press the bread down gently with a spatula or your hands The bread should look saturated but not swimming

Refrigerate overnight:

Seal the dish tightly with plastic wrap and tuck it in the refrigerator Let it chill at least 8 hours This slow soak gives the bread time to absorb every drop of that rich custard

Bake the French toast:

In the morning or whenever you are ready heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit Remove the plastic wrap from your baking dish Scatter the small dots of butter all over the top Sprinkle a thin layer of sugar across the bread Bake 35 to 40 minutes until you see it puff up and turning golden

Caramelize the sugar topping:

Take out the dish and let it sit for a few minutes Scatter a fresh and even dusting of sugar on top Grab a kitchen torch or turn your broiler on for a few moments Run the flame or heat over the sugar Just enough until it melts and crisps up into a golden crackly crust

Serve:

Allow the baked French toast to cool slightly before using a spatula to serve Drizzle with maple syrup or top with fruit If you have whipped cream add a dollop for extra fun

Pin

My favorite part is that crunchy caramelized sugar crust on top It reminds me of cracking open crème brûlée at my favorite French cafe but in comfortable pajamas right at home My whole family gets excited when I bring this out for breakfast especially when strawberries are in season and I add a few on top

Storage Tips

Leftover French toast will keep for up to two days in the refrigerator Cover tightly with foil or plastic wrap Reheat in a warm oven so the top stays crisp but you can also microwave slices for a quick treat

Ingredient Substitutions

Try brioche or challah if you do not have French bread Gluten-free loaves work well for friends with dietary needs Plant-based milks like almond or oat milk and vegan butter can be swapped in easily Brown sugar adds a deeper sweetness and works just as well as white sugar in the custard

Serving Suggestions

Fresh berries add beautiful color and tartness while a dusting of powdered sugar instantly dresses up the plate For extra decadence add a spoonful of mascarpone or whipped cream If you like savory and sweet try a sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the brûlée crust

Pin

A French Inspired Treat

This dish blends classic American French toast with the signature sugar crust of French crème brûlée Both techniques offer comfort and indulgence making this recipe feel a bit luxurious without any complicated steps

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, the bread should be soaked in custard and chilled overnight for the best results. Assemble ahead of time and bake in the morning.

→ What type of bread works best?

Use a sturdy loaf of French bread, sliced about one inch thick. Day-old bread absorbs the custard mixture more effectively and prevents sogginess.

→ How do I achieve the caramelized sugar topping?

After baking, sprinkle an even layer of granulated sugar and caramelize it with a kitchen torch or under your oven’s broiler until golden and crisp.

→ Can I customize the flavors?

Absolutely. Add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, and serve with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup for extra flair.

→ What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheat in the oven to maintain the crispy sugar topping. Microwaving may soften the topping and alter the texture.