Crème Brûlée French Toast: The Ultimate Indulgent Brunch Classic

If breakfast and dessert had a love child, Crème Brûlée French Toast would be it. Rich, custardy, caramelized, and irresistibly indulgent, this dish transforms simple French toast into something truly special. Inspired by the classic French dessert, this recipe combines the creamy interior of custard-soaked bread with a crisp, glass-like caramelized sugar topping that cracks beautifully under your fork.

Perfect for holidays, weekend brunch, or special mornings when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen, crème brûlée French toast feels luxurious yet comforting. It’s the kind of dish that makes people linger at the table just a little longer.

What Makes Crème Brûlée French Toast Special?

Traditional French toast is delicious, but crème brûlée French toast elevates it with two key elements:

1. A rich custard base made with eggs, cream, and vanilla that soaks deeply into thick slices of bread.
2. A brûléed sugar topping that caramelizes into a crisp shell, mimicking the iconic dessert.

The contrast between the silky interior and the crackly caramel top is what makes this dish unforgettable.

The Best Bread for Crème Brûlée French Toast

Bread choice matters more here than in standard French toast. Because the custard is rich and creamy, the bread needs to hold up without falling apart.

The best options include:

• Brioche
• Challah
• French bread cut thick

Slightly stale bread works best because it absorbs the custard without becoming soggy.

Ingredients

• Thick-cut brioche or challah bread
• Eggs
• Heavy cream
• Whole milk
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Unsalted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

Instructions

1. Generously butter a baking dish and arrange the bread slices in a single layer.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread, pressing gently so each slice absorbs the liquid.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
5. Preheat oven and bake until the French toast is puffed, set, and lightly golden.
6. Remove from oven and sprinkle an even layer of granulated sugar over each slice.
7. Use a kitchen torch or broiler to caramelize the sugar until golden and crackly.
8. Let rest briefly, then serve immediately.

Crème Brûlée French Toast

An indulgent baked French toast made with rich custard-soaked bread and topped with a crackly caramelized sugar crust.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine: American, French

Calories: 390

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 loaf brioche bread sliced thick
• 6 eggs large
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 0.5 cup whole milk
• 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar for topping
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp salt

Equipment

• Baking dish
• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Kitchen torch or broiler

Method

 

1. Butter a baking dish and arrange bread slices in a single layer.
2. Whisk eggs, cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth.
3. Pour custard evenly over bread, pressing gently to soak.
4. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. Bake until set, puffed, and lightly golden.
6. Sprinkle granulated sugar on top and caramelize using torch or broiler.
7. Rest briefly and serve immediately.

Notes

Brûlée the sugar just before serving for the best crackly texture.

Why Overnight French Toast Is a Game-Changer

Making this dish overnight allows the custard to fully soak into the bread, creating an ultra-creamy interior. It also makes mornings stress-free — just bake and brûlée.

This makes crème brûlée French toast ideal for:

• Christmas morning
• Easter brunch
• Mother’s Day
• Weekend guests

Flavor Variations to Try

• Orange zest: Adds brightness and pairs beautifully with vanilla.
• Vanilla bean: Enhances the custard flavor.
• Berry topping: Fresh berries cut the richness.
• Nutty crunch: Add sliced almonds before brûléeing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve crème brûlée French toast with:

• Fresh berries or citrus
• Crispy bacon or sausage
• Lightly sweetened whipped cream
• A dusting of powdered sugar

Balance is key — the richness shines best with simple sides.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

• Assemble the dish the night before and bake in the morning.
• Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat gently in the oven; brûlée fresh sugar before serving.

Why This Recipe Always Impresses

Crème brûlée French toast looks elegant, tastes luxurious, and feels special without being complicated. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that turns an ordinary morning into an event.

Whether you’re hosting brunch or simply treating yourself, this recipe delivers comfort, beauty, and indulgence in every bite.