Print

Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4 from 268 reviews

This Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe offers a decadent twist on classic French toast, featuring a rich custard soaked bread baked to golden perfection with a caramelized sugar crust. Infused with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and optional orange liqueur, this baked French toast is perfect for an elegant breakfast or brunch.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Sugar Paste:

  • 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

For the Custard Mixture:

  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups whole milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream (or a combination)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau) (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Other Ingredients:

  • 1 (1-pound) uncut loaf white sandwich bread, challah, or brioche

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Make Sugar Paste: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup maple syrup until a thick paste forms. Spread this evenly on the bottom of your prepared baking sheet.
  3. Mix Custard: Using the now-empty bowl, whisk together the eggs, dairy of choice, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, orange liqueur (if using), vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt until fully blended with no streaks of egg and sugar dissolved.
  4. Slice and Soak Bread: Cut the bread crosswise into 3/4- to 1-inch-thick slices. Soak each slice in the custard mixture for 10 to 15 seconds per side until thoroughly drenched but not falling apart. Place soaked slices in a single layer atop the sugar paste on the baking sheet.
  5. Bake the French Toast: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the sugar paste is bubbling.
  6. Broil for Caramelization: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and switch the oven to broil. Flip the French toast slices using a flat spatula, then return to the oven. Broil for 2 to 4 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the tops bubble and darken slightly to create a crispy crust.
  7. Cool and Serve: Allow the French toast to cool slightly after broiling; this helps the top to crisp up perfectly. Serve warm and enjoy this luxurious breakfast treat.

Notes

  • Storage: Refrigerate leftover French toast in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze leftover French toast in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-top bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Reheating: Reheat frozen or refrigerated slices in a 325°F oven for 7 to 15 minutes until warmed through.

Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/creme-brulee-french-toast-recipe/